Written
Component to Observer Assignment
This
gallery of images represents my view of construction in the downtown area of
Montreal. The series focuses on different construction sites that are visible
from my view of the city in my apartment as well as some photos taken on the
ground, of construction sites for condominiums on the south side of
Rene-Levesque.
The
series also features specific elements such as cranes, construction supplies,
and surrounding. I explore the interaction that occurs between nature and the
construction sites, as well as the absence of nature in my view of the city.
The
research that I did prior to taking photos for this project aided me in finding
perspectives to use when taking photographs. I used local news websites such as
the Montreal Gazette, Global News, CTV Montreal, and MTL Blog to further understand the increase in construction in the
city, and the possible implications of a city that is growing very quickly,
vertically.
In
addition to the rise in construction building condominiums in the past three
years or so, there is continuous construction of city infrastructure all over
the city of Montreal. Just recently, the city has started construction on a
major highway and interchange, Highway 20 and the Turcot Interchange (going
down to one lane). That has caused a lot more traffic on that highway and in
surrounding neighbourhoods. The city estimates that the project will be
completed by around winter of 2018.
I
took inspiration from photographers, Joel Sternfeld and Chloë Ellingson
(specifically her Like Mother series)
in regards to how they framed their images and used varying types of
perspective to capture images within their series.
I
wanted to include images of my view taken at different times of the day to show
how the multiple cranes within my view have become part of a permanent feature.
When one disappears, a new one appears.
I
have concerns about how fast the downtown (Ville-Marie and Shaughnessy Village) area of Montreal
is growing. These neighbourhoods do not have many green spaces at all, which
makes it difficult for families to settle in this area, as well as a possible
negative when you are looking to sell your condo. Additionally, this area is a
food desert in some respects. Residents in the neighbourhood living along
Rene-Levesque and east of Guy do not have a convenient supermarket to go to.
Through the
research I conducted while taking these observational photos, I was able to see
the construction that surrounds me on a daily basis through an artistic perspective
as well as to think critically about how my neighbourhood is changing and the
positives and negatives that might come with this change.
References:
Hazan,
J. (n.d.). Crazy Montreal Map Showing You How Much Construction Is In The City
Right Now. Retrieved April 04, 2017, from https://www.mtlblog.com/crazy-montreal-map-showing-you-how-much-construction-is-in-the-city-right-now
Joel
Sternfeld. (n.d.). Retrieved April 04, 2017, from http://www.luhringaugustine.com/artists/joel
Like
Mother. (n.d.). Retrieved April 04, 2017, from http://www.chloeellingson.com/like-mother#11
Montreal's
$531M construction plans revealed. (n.d.). Retrieved April 04, 2017, from
Paul Delean, Montreal GazetteMore from
Paul Delean, Montreal Gazette. (2017, January 19).
Downtown
Montreal getting another hotel and condo tower by 2019. Retrieved April 04, 2017,
Tracey
Lindeman, Special to Montreal Gazette More from Tracey Lindeman, Special to
Montreal Gazette. (2016, November 25).
Are there too many condos in Montreal? It
depends on who you ask. Retrieved April
04, 2017, from http://montrealgazette.com/life/homes/are-there-too-many-condos-in-montreal-it-depends-on-who-you-ask
G.
(2016, October 16). Turcot Interchange down to one lane until 2018. Retrieved
April 04,
