Every since I started my research for my MA tackling sense of place, I just stumble upon places like these, where the sense is clearly evident and the spirit is strongly felt. Silence, quiet places which are full of traces, narrative and meaning..
Shot at St Catherine of Italy Church, Valletta on a digital camera with a 35mm prime lens, f/1.4.
This is how infrastructure is interacting with our landscapes. It might seem like a neat selective shot done on purpose by the photographer to instigate a discussion, and well yes it is. However I can't help but notice the steep increase of cranes all around the island. Cranes mean one thing, high risers. But we need high risers, don't we? Oh yes for office spaces...right...But what about our vistas? Soon enough within a year we won't be able to see Mdina from this side of Mosta....but who cares ey...as long as we have our office spaces and nice residences...who cares about the rest of the nation...
What we take for granted, that is vistas for e.g, is actually part of our Cultural Heritage, which is fast decreasing due to the increase of high rise buildings. Somehow we choose to shrug our shoulders, because maybe it is not our problem. What we fail to realise is that our diminishing landscape is our problem. What will we have instead of landscapes? Buildings....and buildings do not produce oxygen.
Ways of cooling a room.
Shot on Kodak Ektar 100 with Canon AV-1
Curiosities found during a photo walk with my BFA students. A gentleman was kind enough to invite my students up into his workshop full of knick knacks which tell his story.
Shot on Kodak TriX with Canon AV-1
Another landmark close to the bus stop is this door with graffiti. I always stop and look at it. You can imagine how slow traffic is then....
Shot on Kodak Ektar 100
This bus stop is one of the many landmarks I pass everyday. The fact that I shot a photo of it from my car shows that the traffic was so slow, that I managed to focus and compose an exposure.
Shot on Kodak Ektar 100
I recall this building since the early 80s. My parents used to take us to Qui-Si-Sana beach on weekends and en route I used to always be fascinated by this building or maybe it was the ice cream. Either way I hope this building will be preserved, especially for its Art Deco touches.
Shot on Kodak Ektar 100
Dru and me became friends in 1994, when we were apprentices at the same architectural firm. We can't say that we took an instant liking to one another, but within a week there was no choice but to become friends. I still remember him telling me to go round to his parent's home one day, describing his block of apartments as 'Chinese looking' due to the circular protruding balconies. Years later I found myself living in this same street, and Regent Palace Court is still the most eclectic building in this street.
If any of you are wondering, Dru and me are still friends :)
Shot on Kodak Ektar 100.
Gilardu, at his newsagent shop. He is always willing to pose for me. Here he is immortalized on film.
Kodak TriX
A peek through one of the homes in Cienfuegos, Cuba
Have a thing for plants. Composition, shadows, contrast....shot on Kodak Colour Plus with a Canon AV-1
His working bench
Sometimes objects have a stronger narrative than faces. These images are a part of what makes my father who he is. A meticulous man in his late 70s, who loves tools, makes wine, and wears old fashioned comfortable trousers.
Shot on Kodak Colour Plus with a Canon AV-1.
My first trial using film. Used a Canon AV-1 with a Kodak Colour Plus. I went round the Dock area to test out my camera.
Above Doris shot on 35mm Film - Kodak Colour Plus
Doris, reading the newspaper and smiling to herself...oh the bliss!
Above Doris shot on digital camera
Someone was here once...you can see it from traces of found objects left lying there uninterrupted by others, secured by time..
Few people dare venture in this dock area, mainly because it is abandoned and in a bad shape. Few see its beauty, which in my eyes is sublime.
The Dock area of Marsa, Malta
Found objects
I am going back to the 80's, when I was still a kid. I am not from this area of Malta, but my father owns a garage here, and as a kid I used to often accompany him. I know this statue, I know these balconies...it is like nothing has ever changed. This area seems to have to stood still with no changes till to date. Each balcony, belongs to a different dwelling, each balcony has layers of stories, each narrating a different story. Place: Marsa Harbour Area, also known as Il-Menqa.
Here one moment...
She was here for a short while...now she is gone...
Curtains drawn...
Deadpan Aesthetic in the street
House names and saints
