Mass Observation

Research Trip to The Photographer's Gallery:

Mass Observation was founded in 1937 as an experiment in social sciences and  art. It aimed to create an 'anthropology of ourselves' by collecting evidence of people's everyday lives. Leading Contributors to the project included filmmaker Humphrey Jennings, photographer Humphrey Spender and artist Julian Trevelyan. 

'How little we know of our next door neighbour and his habits; how little we know of ourselves...The anthropology of ourselves is still only a dream' -1937 Mass Observation. 

'I_believed obsessively that the truth would only be revealed when people were not aware of being photographed' -Humphrey Spender

In 1987 Mass Observation launched a project which focused on the importance of first person testimony and invited the public to submit amateur snapshots of their everyday lives and daily routines. 55,000 entries were received. Photography became a active part of the wider narratives of people's lives.

'Pay heed to the fabric of memory, to the moment of memorial' - Ben Highmore. 

I enjoyed this exhibition and its focus on the everyday lives and experiences of people. Because it included amateur shots taken by the public I found it more accessible and felt it created a more emotionally compelling account. Unlike the 'making it up' exhibition we saw at the V&A few of the images were staged giving a more raw presentation. By conserving true memories, not those that had been deliberately constructed, the exhibit is closely linked with our current projects as it reveals more about the complex nature and emotions of people's ordinary lives.