Simon Standing

Teaching interests

Teaching interests cover both BA and MA work in photography.

Interests include:

Team Building/Collaborative Practice methods

Developing practical and theoretical methods

Developing practice-based methodologies

Developing dissertaion and writing skills

 

Research interests

Over the last ten years I have developed a particular interest in the way in which photography can be used within practice-based research. A core element of my PhD was an exploration into how photography could be developed as a primary research medium rather than a documentative tool.

 

The PhD (awarded in April 2000)was entitled:

"The Architectural Expression of Anglican Ritual as Disseminated Through a Photographic Enquiry of Six Devon Churches".

 

Director of Studies:

Professor David Jeremiah

 

Supervisor:

Professor Jem Southam

 

Subsequent research interests evolve around my wider interests in:

architecture and the built environment

urban expansion and regenration

family excursions and documentary evidence

 

UoP Research group membership

Centre for Media, Art & Design Research (MADr) 
Land/Water and the Visual Arts 

Other research

 

Creative practice & artistic projects

 

Current Projects:

 

Book Publication (2009)

Stopping Places- a photographic project based on family excursions. From a route-planning book published in 1907 my family have been undertaking days out/excursions around the south of England, from which we document and record the events and journeys.

The book is due to be published by Trace Editions in 2009, in combination with an exhibitiion (venue tbc)

 

Re-generation and Re-Photographic Survey

In collaboration with Liz Wells (University of Plymouth) and Dr Derrick Price,

the aim is to develop a major AHRC research project that investigates the role photography has played in picturing change in Harbour culture in the south west region, from their shipbuilding and industiral routes, through to those of gentrification and leisure.

This is an ongoing project.
 

Site Work Project : Photography of the Roland Levinsky Building (University of Plymouth Faculty of Arts building)
This is an ongoing inviestigation of the devleopment of this remakable new arts building for the University of Plymouth.
Photographic documentation of the build has been undertaken from Groundworks up. The photographic work is now turing to an exploration of the architectual intent for the building, having been recently completed.

This work will be compiled as a book and exhibition in 2009.

 

On-going work

Emblems of Civilisation is a project that I've been working on for the last few years. The Devon village in which I recently lived, like so many others, has been faced with issues of expansion, with new housing estates being erected on the edges of the ancient site. Issues such as local distinctiveness and living the rural idyll have become a fascination for me through watching the development of such sites.

This work was exhibited as part of the Noorderlicht Photo Festival in 2001 and is scheduled for exhibition as a Trace Nexus show in Bath (2009).

Book Design
I am currently involved with Trace Editions (Sian Bonnell) in designing Image/Text books.
Recent publications designed for this publisher are:

Wild Track - Mark Hayworth-Booth
Dark City/Light City - Michele Roberts and Carol Robertson

Next publications are for Dorothy Bohm and John Kippin (2008/9)

 

Publications

Change
Land/Water and the Visual Arts,
Co-edited with Liz Wells
University of Plymouth Press
2005

Surface
Land/Water and the Visual Arts,
Co-edited with Liz Wells
University of Plymouth Press
2004

Sense of Place
Noorderlicht Photo Festival Publication
Aurora Borealis Publication
Netherlands
2001

Designer for Trace Editions, Independent Book Publisher
Titles: Wild Track and Dark City/Light City