The true flaneur walks purposefully, yet with little clear purpose…
A random turn, a footbridge, a flash of colour in a row of boarded up shops, a reflection in a shop window. Things that catch the eye or are happened upon by chance. Who is to say that there isn’t a story that links the images one to another….
The pandemic suggests to us that we should take a different direction as the world begins to re-open. And yet, those that would govern us see little beyond being ‘open for business’ and an opportunity to further line their pockets. That’s the story which emerges from the photographs I chose not to take whilst walking through Portsmouth’s “Commercial Road”.
The commerce that involves queues of people waiting to be allowed into Primark and H&M, or to McDonalds, marshalled by staff in hi vis jackets, to ensure passive co-operation at a safe distance. The commerce that that fills the pedestrian areas with multiple tented stalls selling various ‘street foods’, bookended by children’s merry-go-rounds and the occasional fruit and veg seller. All set against a backdrop of empty retail stores. Consumption for consumption’s sake. Really? Is this the new dawn?
Perhaps there are other paths we might take, or doorways that we could go through. Yes they might be unfamiliar and in need of a bit of nurturing….but sometimes, if you look hard enough, you can see other reflections. Time to think differently…
”We know that we may be heading into the worst recession in three hundred years, and personal debt is projected to hit £6bn. But instead of guaranteeing protection in the longer term, the country is being taken by the Government towards a number of sheer cliff edges, likely to result in an unprecedented wave of unemployment, homelessness and poverty” [The Green Party]
Rainbow Bridge… [Image © John Callaway 2021]
I don’t believe in humans… [Image © John Callaway 2021]
Pretty in pink…? [Image © John Callaway 2021]
On the other side…of the road. [Image © John Callaway 2021]
Ideas & images from Portsmouth and beyond 
April 18th, 2021 at 22:17
wonderfully eloquent and thought-provoking narrative once again, the photos shockingly relevant and poignant. Loving your work!
September 18th, 2023 at 09:48
[…] beyond. There’s a map on the “Look up Portsmouth” link above, but as an ardent flaneur, my preference is for the less structured approach to finding things…. […]