In Flux: A Changing Northampton

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IN FLUX: A CHANGING NORTHAMPTON 4-13 MARCH 2014, Monday-Friday 10am-4pm Private View Tuesday 4 March 6pm As part of their Professional Studies programme, second year students on the BA (Hons) Photographic Practice course at the University of Northampton have been working closely with Northampton Borough Council since January 2014 to lead a project documenting the changing urban landscape of Northampton. The town is in the process of undergoing rapid development, within and around the Enterprise Zone. Northampton Alive, the collective name for the Council's regeneration projects, is ‘creating a positive economic impact for new and existing businesses, landowners and residents'. While the development project, and the documenting of change through photography is a long term commitment and process, this exhibition will be the first of a series of annual shows which present the town in a state of transition and regeneration. The photography project makes a significant contribution to the historical archives of buildings on the verge of destruction and/or renewal, as well as presenting a clear record of change within Northampton's landscape. The project is collaborative in its approach — in addition to second year students on the course, a few final year students have also been instrumental to the organization of the exhibition; the photographs included in the show were made by both staff and students, as well as individuals vital to the regeneration efforts — developers, the Council etc... For this work, students have gained access to several places that are not normally open to the public, such as the offices above the Greyfriars Bus Station, a building on the verge of demolition. Students have also photographed Phipps Brewery (which is being relocated back to its original setting in Northampton) and the train station, other sites undergoing development. The University's new Waterside campus in the Enterprise Zone was also photographed from a privileged bird's eye view of the site from the roof top of the Avon building.