These are images taken during my research at the Grange Village in Gloucestershire, I have selected this place to document for the Unit 1.1 assignment. It’s a community of around 80 people, living together, work, enjoy and create a purposeful meaning in society. It’s a place where people with learning disabilities and special needs find access to a harmonious life style, education, work and the arts. At the Grange knowledge is generated and shared based on the antroposophical philosophy by Rudolf Steiner - cosmos, nature, evolution, humans, animals - nothing is left out. It’s a fascinating and complex situation at the same time, respect and ethical conduct are the credo and found in all the aspects of the community.
During the research I came to understand that the work flow will often be decided by the residents and that I will have to work around them. The idea is to create a visual narrative directed by the people. I am also planning to record the sounds, let the people tell stories and combine it with the photos. The output will be a so-called multimedia piece. I will let the people tell the story and according to those stories I will try to capture the essence visually. Why? I like to be in the position of the observer and follow rather than dictates. Not that I don’t have a clue what I want to get out of the project, the is a clear message that will have to come across, but I leave the parameters loose and so leave space to move, shift, change.
In June I will be off to the Grange for an extended period - I am very much looking forward to this experience and the outcome of the project.
[caption id=“attachment_340” align=“alignnone” width=“700” caption=“The Grange Village and river Severn in the background”]
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[caption id=“attachment_341” align=“alignnone” width=“466” caption=“The Armillary Sphere explained. Essential part of biodynamic farming is the connection and understanding of the cosmos, working with it and so harvesting amazing products.”]
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[caption id=“attachment_342” align=“alignnone” width=“467” caption=“Tony in his office, slightly different than the stereotype office found anywhere else. With help of the drawings on the chalk board he explains the developments since the 2 prophets, Buddha and Jesus, who, if humans would have understood it, could have showed us the path to a more fullfilled way of living.”]
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[caption id=“attachment_345” align=“alignnone” width=“700” caption=“Gui, David and Stefan on the way to get 2 cows from the field; they will be brought to the slaughterhouse in 2 days. The cows are parted early from the others in order to keep the stress levels as low as possible.”]
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[caption id=“attachment_346” align=“alignnone” width=“466” caption=“Grassing under the oldest oak tree in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire”]
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[caption id=“attachment_348” align=“alignnone” width=“467” caption=“Making goat cheese. Margarita mentions that it has become more complex in making since the cheese is also sold outside the community.”]
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[caption id=“attachment_349” align=“alignnone” width=“466” caption=“In full bloom - apple tree showing off its beauty. Imagine the taste of a freshly picked apple in autumn…”]
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[caption id=“attachment_350” align=“alignnone” width=“700” caption=“Huge pigs - huge shit that needs to be cleaned. All that nearly odorless due to the healthy standard of living also for the animals.”]
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[caption id=“attachment_351” align=“alignnone” width=“466” caption=“It's early morning and Tom is collecting eggs under the watchful eyes of the chickens, one might wonder what they think…“]
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[caption id=“attachment_353” align=“alignnone” width=“466” caption=“before - pigs do actually sleep a lot next to chasing each other and communicate and this in a rather human manner…”]
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[caption id=“attachment_355” align=“alignnone” width=“466” caption=“after - it's the circle of life. David said that the community has a pact with the animals; the latter are provided with a good life and provide the former with a good meal.“]
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[caption id=“attachment_356” align=“alignnone” width=“700” caption=“A little nibble in the garden on the way to the field.”]
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[caption id=“attachment_357” align=“alignnone” width=“700” caption=“Tea break at the basketry - a chat before people heading out for a short walk.”]
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[caption id=“attachment_358” align=“alignnone” width=“700” caption=“Marina working on a basekt that will be sold. She also like to draw and to work with colors.”]
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[caption id=“attachment_359” align=“alignnone” width=“700” caption=“In the community pottery all the plates and mugs are made for the use of the Grange Village. This beautiful products are made with passion and can be bought via the Village Trust.”]
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[caption id=“attachment_360” align=“alignnone” width=“467” caption=“Hand in hand walking to the coach that will bring the whole Grange Village community to the destination for a walk in the Cotswold.”]
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