Brief:
This British Classics project's primary motive is to present the opportunity to explore London and concepts around British Cool through a British heritage item in a fresh and authentic way and, translate it into a series of styled media images.
The brief required me to investigate how this item might be translated through image making, art direction and styling for extraordinary results. It needed me to create a set of images (a styled media production) that would respond to and interpret the idea of British Classics, using an item sourced by me. The choice of item was solely my decision, however could not be an item of clothing. My aim was to create a concept and narrative using research to ‘re-image’ the item as my own media styled production.
Chosen product: Poppies
Image courtesy: Internet
One year after the 1st World War got over, the trenches in France where the Great War was fought, were covered with thousands of ‘blood’ red flowers. These flowers are called Poppies (from the subfamily Papaveroideae - of the family Papaveraceae). Poppies are found in many places including Flanders – which is the setting of the famous poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae. Poppy seeds can lay dormant in the soil for years and are known to grow quickly in freshly churned out soils. The activity in the trenches, constant movement of the soldiers, dead bodies and other organic matter along with the continual digging of the soil, all proved to be conducive for the sudden growth of the poppies. The following year after the war ended, the land on the western front looked like a bright (bloody) red carpet.
Poppies are a flower that have now become a symbol synonymous with Remembrance, Pride and, Respect in England (and many other commonwealth countries). It has also been the official symbol of remembrance used by the Royal British Legion - that works to generate funds for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families.
Narrative:
The shoot is about the different emotions a woman who’s lost a loved one in the army, goes through. The narrative of the images take the viewer through a series of emotions ranging from the curiosity and the waiting for them to come back home, the grief and sadness when she finds out she’s lost them, the maturing and realization that her loss was for the country, the pride, respect, and remembrance.
FINAL IMAGES:
Loss, grief, sadness.
She has recently lost a loved one in the army. She has come with a bunch of red poppies to pay last respects. The blurred soldier and his embrace symbolise her vulnerability and her state of mind.
Reflecting.
She is looking at herself in a mirror and reflecting, trying to find answers, trying to find herself.
Pride.
She reflects, realises..with what has happened in her life, she has grown a little. Matured a little. She has realised her personal loss was after all, for the country. She has made peace with her situation and has come to terms with it.
Remembrance, Respect.
A year or so has passed. She has come to the same place. A lot things remind her of him. She has a bunch of the same red poppies in her hands. Today, she is here, strong and independent. She is not crying or grieving anymore, but is still lost in the nostalgia and the distant memories of him.
