Simon Norfolk - Data Centres

Norfolk describes human beings as technology. He believes that humans use technology to aid survival, and therefore spend a lot of time trying to understand technology as it advances. In this collection of work, Simon Norfolk uses large computers and databases as a representation on our society. As our photographs, music, communication does not exist except in these large machines, they are a huge part of our daily life that people do not often get to see.

Data Centres

Many of the images are high in contrast, shot in colour they are vibrant colours. Bold to the eye and the patterns included in the frame are regimented and solid. The patterns are not always organised, the photograph of the white pipes on the ceiling is actually quite free flowing despite them being fixed in to place. Some photographs contain a lot of repetition, rows upon rows of cables tied together above and below each other. The clinical environment makes me think how precise everything must be in the technology centres to ensure it is not only safe to work in and around but also to be able to navigate and understand.
If shot from above, including the whole factory in the frame, it could perhaps look like a small town. The large scale of the data centres makes them appear overwhelming, potentially towering over any body stood close to them. They are not shot like this though, shot on large format the scale is direct instead.

Some of the photographs I think look like those of William Eccleston, shooting a small detail and using strong colours. The detail held within the photographs, and the style in which they are shot also reminds me of some work by Gursky. Very regimented and solid.

I like the work by Norfolk. I think it is a valid representation of our current society. We all rely on technology too much in everyday life.

The photographs themselves do not offer much information as to how the data is stored, for many the images are bland and boring as they are understood as factory photos. They could be anything. Perhaps they are nothing, for what they contain does not actually exist.