Part of my current bout of interest in photography stems from a frustrated attempt to learn more about the processes of lying. This led me to concocted histories, namely the writings of W.G. Sebald and his use of (old) photographs to authenticate these stories. I had an epiphinay moment a couple of years ago when I realized that lying and fiction were one and the same. I wish someone could have told me sooner.
A byproduct, part of the Sebaldian influence, is an addiction to looking at the small stories in local newspapers. Source of most fiction, certainly TV scripts.
Yesterdays Argus had this photograph. A relative who had discovered it in a box of his aunts belongings was asking if anyone locally could explain what was happening. A great opportunity to create a complete bogus history, particularly as most of the people at the rear seem to have been pasted in afterwards. It also rhymes quite nicely as subliminal publicity for the Brighton PhotoBiennial curated by Martin Parr which starts today. If you have any information about the photograph write to Ian Prevett c/o Brighton Argus.
