Ok, so the interim deadline is approaching very fast and I have had no luck contacting anyone in the trades union. I have sent emails and made phone calls and visits to the club nearly every other day. I am not sure how much potential is left feasibly in this project as part of 303 as I feel I am just watching the time pass me by.
As I have not actually shot anything new for nearly 3 weeks I am stuck with old shots to choose from. This is very disapointing. I have narrowed it down to the following.
From the Comrades Club I have chosen this image and the one below mostly because there is a story behind the club and of course its patrons as well as the extravagant colour schemes (which i realise is not something that is super important but i think i work visually first and then theoretically - or whatever the word is - secondly.) Whilst the wide angleness of it really exaggerates the room I will not be shooting like this as I am looking at the club on a more personal level. Or at least that's what I set out to do.
The above 3 are of course from the Trades Union Meeting Room. I have chosen these for the aforementioned reasons with the history of the union, and because it is still something I am trying to pursue.
This image is from Waterloo Social Club, whilst it does not necessarily fit with any of the other images I have included because I guess it is what I was looking for originally. There is a sense of pride in the club with all the trophies on display (for snooker, pool, football and a few other sports). I dont know I guess it feels more like a club for members who go to socialise and enjoy the same things. That's what I want to capture?
UPDATE: so i went for the Trades Club images... Honestly it's because I hadnt shot anything new and I couldnt bring myself to submit some crazily distorted wide angle digital images that I had cropped to 647. I do like these images but I really dont think they have a leg to stand on with out something more.
Accompanying text:
This project aims to explore the history and privatisation of many former C.I.U. affiliated clubs in the Blackpool area. The clubs that have privatised are still, on the whole, members only clubs so subs are paid and committees are still in place to aid with the general runnings of the clubs.
Accompanying text:
This project aims to explore the history and privatisation of many former C.I.U. affiliated clubs in the Blackpool area. The clubs that have privatised are still, on the whole, members only clubs so subs are paid and committees are still in place to aid with the general runnings of the clubs.
Many clubs across the UK are closing down through a variety of factors, though most often cited is the lack of younger people joining due to Sky TV and cheap alcohol from the supermarkets; with this in mind my aim is to try to capture the history to draw positive attention back to the clubs.
The images displayed here are taken in the Blackpool Trades Club on Chadwick Street, specifically in the Trades Club Union's meeting room where they still meet on a monthly basis. The Trade Union have based themselves in Blackpool since 1891 and this is evidenced by some of the banners and objects found in their meeting room.