WALL NO WALL

The Berlin wall was constructed to create a barrier between East and West Berlin. It was commenced on 13th august, 1961 and ideologically the wall divided Berlin until 1989. 

The wall included guarded towers, which aimed to separate citizens in East Berlin, from entering or leaving West Berlin. As a consequence, millions of families were spilt, many losing their jobs and unemployment was on the rise.

The outer surface of the West Berlin wall was covered in graffiti and political artwork. This enabled thousands of Germans to express their opinions anonymously, and thereby creating one of the largest canvases in the world.

This photography project was done after twenty five years since the fall of the wall. It was completed over a period of four years, and captures how people, places and architecture has evolved amongst the vicinity around the wall. 

The images creates an immersive experience, through the use of geometric and angular style photography, to contrast the usual documentary perspective.

Donations from this book and the website will be given to War Child Charity, which aims to make a difference to thousands of children whose lives have been turned upside-down by on-going conflict around the world.

 For the photography: Sri Siva Sankaran

 Total fundraised: £137

Dubai, captured in the eye of a desert storm. These collections of photographs are taken from the perspective of a passenger, as they make the journey through this desert metropolis. The exhibition begins with, a drive through the central business district, which follows the line of the Monorail train, and eventually fades into a landscape portrayal of the desert. The black and white imagery, creates a cinematic vision which reflects the city's on-going inspiration to be the greatest and finest. As a result of the desert storm,  a distinctive fog covers the surrounding skyscrapers, creating a mystical atmosphere.

The inspiration for this photographic project, ‘Drive by Derby’, was derived from the work of legendary American photographer, Lee Friedlander. He once published a book, called ‘America by Car’, showcasing images of America’s obsession with the open road from the inside view point of the car. When cities are explored by walking, you become physically immersed within the environment. When you leave the environment and take to the road, you are stuck with the empty vastness of visual information. Rather than having an overwhelming rush of information, you rather find yourself continuously scanning the environment in search of something interesting to capture. At the same time, the window pillars of the car act as a frames for the passing scenery. 

‘Drive by Derby’ project was created from the Magnum Workshop Derby (March 2011) held by Magnum street photographers Bruce Gilden, Richard Kalvar and Chris Steele-Perkins. Through the mentoring from these photographers, this workshop provided the opportunity to shoot and later publish a portfolio of the work, and exhibit at the Format International Photography Festival.