A street photography exhibition showing the work of Magnum photographers from across the globe has inspired a new commission to chronicle life within Colmore Business District (CBD) in Birmingham.
Taking inspiration from ‘Take to the Streets’, CBD has commissioned photography staff and students from Birmingham City University (BCU) to capture the essence and personality of the District from its landmarks, public spaces and culture to the people and businesses that work within it.
The images will be collated, following on from the exhibition, to produce a photographic book which will be edited in collaboration with Magnum Photos. The book will be available for purchase later in the year and the photographs will then be donated to the new Library of Birmingham’s archive collection.
The project will offer BCU students unique access to businesses within the District and enable them to gain valuable experience of corporate photographic commissions, at the same time as getting to the heart of the local business economy.
Gary Cardin, Chair of CBD, said: “This project is a truly exceptional opportunity to capture the essence of the business district. Through this bespoke commission, business life in the city will be chronicled and organisations in the District will have the chance to be part of a permanent collection of work which illustrates the community, lifestyle and surroundings which we are all a part of.
“We are delighted to be working with Birmingham City University on such a distinctive project. It is our opportunity to contribute permanently to a chapter of Birmingham’s social history, as well as encourage people to re-evaluate and appreciate our city, surroundings and our workplaces.
“With such dramatic and exciting transformational change taking place in Birmingham over the next few years, we hope this work will offer a broad insight into how District looks now and a hint of how it may develop in the years ahead.”
Nathan Tromans, Head of Undergraduate Studies within the School of Visual Communication at BCU, said: “I’m very happy that the university is playing a key part in this exciting partnership. For any aspiring documentary photographer, it would be a dream to one day work for Magnum, which is undoubtedly the most prestigious and highly regarded photo agency in the world.
“This Legacy project, which comes off the back of the ‘Take to the Streets’ exhibition will provide our students with a unique opportunity to document the Colmore Business District with creative support from Magnum. I’m convinced that this placement will contribute to their creative work and confidence and I commend the vision of the Colmore Business District, Library of Birmingham and Magnum for investing in such an innovative venture.”
