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The
Guardian
Interview by Andrew Pulver, 2011 |
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The
Independent
Photo
slideshow, 2011 |
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Welcome
to the world of big bingo. Michael Hess has captured the quintessence
of bingo UK, the social sphere of the OAP. The collection is an
intimate look at the bingo world, from the dazzle of the podium
to grannies in stockings. Hess' work personalises the world of bingo,
and the photographs have a distinctly human aspect to them. This
is more of a commentary than a selection of documentary photographs,
containing an air of solidarity between 'bingoists'. His editorial
style has you looking for the story behind the images and these
are provided by his girlfriend Maxine Gallagher. The exhibition
and the book Bingo and Social Club is the culmination of four years
of exploring bingo halls around the country.
The use of black and white images gives the exhibition a nostalgic
feel, so that the viewer feels as if they are transported back in
time. 'Many bingo halls haven't changed their interior in many many
years, so you feel like you have stepped back in time. I felt that
black and white really portrays this, because you wash away all
the signs of modern times', says Hess and there is something about
seeing neon lights in black and white that exudes ageing glamour.
Mixing
the large prints with smaller ones, which hunger for attention,
gives the viewer the sense of both the grandiose and cosy nature
of the bingo hall. To Hess bingo halls are 'a small space with amazing
characters. There are flashing neon lights and references to Vegas
everywhere. They really wanted to make it as timeless as possible,
but you see signs of better times. There are so many empty chairs;
only about 10% are used these days. Bingo is on the verge of dying
out in the UK', which makes this exhibition all the more poignant.
Although
the subject matter may not be appealing to anyone younger than fifty,
Hess has presented the underside of bingo in an intriguing way.
The book is designed so that you begin with the typical morning
of Jack, the manager of a fairly small club in Newcastle, and proceeds
gradually through the day being introduced to different characters.
The book is punctuated by the wisdom of Jack, but there are also
comments from some of the patrons and references to a blossoming
romance. It develops real lives and both the commentary and the
images are candid, rather than feeling voyeuristic.
It
is a quirky eye opener to the non-initiated to be allowed to see
into this world. At times there is a hint of glitz in front of the
lens and Hess has documented the camaraderie with warmth and depth.
He shot up close and personal, which he didn't find to be too difficult
with his subject matter, 'it was really surprising how open the
older generation were. The younger generation tended to be more
conscious of the way they look and might be portrayed in the book,
but the older people welcomed you in, which is very much the social
aspect of the bingo hall.'
This
exhibition will interest any photographer that is interested in
developing documentary projects and of course anyone drawn to the
timeless allure of bingo. What is unique about Hess' style is that
there is the sense of intimacy between his subjects and the lens,
but his work with Gallagher has also made the images truly lifelike.
Even the setting of the Book Club allowed the intimate atmosphere
to radiate from his photographs. |
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The
Telegraph
Audio
slideshow, 2011 |
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CreativeReview
Exhibition
review, 2011 |
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AnOther
Interview
by Lucia Davies, 2011 |
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Photosense
>>>
Exhibition
review by Oran Blackwood, 2011 |
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IDOL
Interview
by Liz Foggit, 2011 |
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Nude
Magazine
Book
review by Suzy Prince, 2011 |
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Who's
Jack
Interview
by Lu Orcheston-Findlay, 2011 |
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The
Other Side Magazine
Interview,
2011 |
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