MAP6 photographer Richard Chivers was recently in Birmingham photographing the Aston gasometers for his latest personal project ‘Off Grid’. Paul Walsh had a chance to chat with him about his new project and capture some images of him at work.
Can you tell us briefly about your photographic practice, what you are primarily interested in as a photographer?
The primary focus of my work is to document the shaping and re-shaping of the British landscape. I do this by focusing on projects that capture aspects of the landscape through history, geography archaeology and its shifting topography.
Tell us about your latest project 'Off Grid'.
My project Off-Grid started about 3 years ago when I read a newspaper report that said that most of Britain’s Gas Holders were to be demolished over the next few years. The Gas Holder, or Gasometer as they are also known, were first built during Victorian times across most towns and cities in the UK. They have been a prominent part of the urban skyline for nearly 200 years, representing our industrial heritage, and to some, they are an iconic landmark of the place they inhabit. I have always been interested in the design and graphic appearance of these structures and find them to have a beauty in their own right. My father used to work on them, so that is another reason I find them fascinating.
Can you share your photographic process, how you work and what camera's you use for your series 'Off Grid'.
Most of my personal work is made using a Horseman large format 5x4 film camera. It’s a slow way of working but for the Off-Grid project there is a nice relationship between the Victorian Gas Holders and the Victorian style camera with its bellows and shift movements. For me creating these personal projects is about enjoying the process of taking photos. When using a large format camera the picture making is slow and methodical but also enjoyable, relaxing and technically satisfying. From the outset I decided to photograph the Gas Holders in black and white and in colour. The Colour photographs take in the whole Gas Holder and some of the surrounding landscape whilst the black and white images are tightly cropped details of the top half of the Gas holders. As you drive through a town or city, it’s often just the top half of the Gas Holder that is prominent on the skyline. When placing all the black and white photographs together in a grid they make for an interesting typology where you can compare the different designs.
How do you envision the work to be finished?
I am currently working on a small publication with Stanley James Press which supports the work in the form of a folded sheet. I am also hoping to exhibit the work in the near future.
Whats next for you and MAP6?
In March I will be joining 9 other members of MAP6 on a different project, where we will be heading back to Finland for a second visit. I am creating a new body of work looking at the Timber industry.
