The Four Seasons of Long Bien Bridge

Opening: Fri 21 Aug, 6pm
Exhibition: 21 Aug-05 Sept 2009
mda gallery

Photographs by Douglas Jardine, photographer and historian of the bridge who has photographed Long Bien Bridge for over two years in every season using black and white film.

I am fascinated with the Bridge as an aesthetic object- for in many ways it is work of art that has been shaped by many hands, time and history. I am also fascinated by the bridge, and its surrounding areas, as a confluence of changing social meaning-from colonial domination to war time triumph and presently as shelter for the down-trodden and economically “left behind.” Finally I am interested in the Long Bien Bridge for the metaphor that all bridges contain, a passage way between something and something else. Between past, present and future. Between poverty and prosperity and between triumph and victory and pain and tragedy.

My medium is black and white “film” photography. I believe in maintaining the analog process of “film” as an artistic and practical medium. I use 35mm film and medium format black and white film. I have also begun to experiment with large format film and cameras.

See more of his work on his website.