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S.A.F.E.

place, space, purpose, event

By David Metcalfe

November 10^th, 2015

Sense of place

Venturing to the north end (Main street north of Higgins) with a roll of black and white film. For a long time I have always wanted to photograph this area of the city. It was important to do an area that people drive through often but never pause to look around. It started out with Main Street - the buildings, the cars, and the signs. I began to notice how dated the area felt. Walking around it seemed like I was on a movie set from the mid-eighties.

The perfect setting to capture in black and white.

The North End is diverse and after a few steps off of the main drag you’ll find yourself in parks, churches, empty lots, or on a bridge. This is something that caught me off guard. I expected it to be an urban area cluttered with people and buildings. Instead I found long stretches of open spaces.

It was relaxing.

Buildings stand still but a person might be there for a brief moment. This is something I learned while travelling the world. I love to take portraits because in the end people are what makes an area unique and memorable. The North End is great. It is full of people wanting their picture to be taken.

I could go back and recreate every photo from this assignment except for the next five.

I learned to love here. I learned to love taking photos of building, in black and white. The details began jumping out of place. It challenged me in the moment but looking back the results were great. There was everything here. Churches, fast-food, bingo halls, and even buildings who’s purpose remains unknown.

I still wonder about the stories hidden behind all those doors.

sense of purpose.

Welcome to 255 Vaughan. The shop is run by two men named Joseph Visser and Chris Watchorn. A passion for the outdoors connected them. Ongoing collaborative effort between them has created something truly phenomenal. An inspiration for artists and entrepreneurs alike.

Plus, a really sweet place to just hang out.

Joseph (left) and Chris (right). Joseph Visser is the curator, moderator, and founder of From Here & Away. A young, passionate, Winnipeg photographer. Chris is the man behind Oak+Oar and Olé Denim, which are both testimonies on how to start a successful local business. Chris has connected and collaborated with some of Winnipeg’s finest.

The masterminds behind the counters.

A little more about FH&A. This is a project that I’ll personally continue to be deeply involved with. There are few things I support so whole-heartedly but Joey’s vision for FH&A is just as sharp as his vision from behind a lens. So, I know this is something special that will keep on growing. An organization that is set on supporting artists and creating community - what’s not to like?

http://www.fromhereandaway.ca/

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Oak+Oar is one of Winnipeg’s more established local clothing brands. Having been connected in the past with musicians, professional athletes, and more - Chris has become kind of a big deal. In a city where 9/10 people wear something with a Winnipeg Jets logo on it everyday (statistically, a true fact) it’s refreshing to see the Oak+Oar logo become more and more popular. Now with Olé Denim hot on it’s heals - Winnipeg’s clothing industry is in for a real treat.

http://oakandoar.com/

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sense of time.

An Instagram meet up, where different artists from all over Winnipeg drove out to Birds Hill Park to take photos with each other and meet new people. It was amazing to see Winnipeg’s creative community so willing to drive outside the city just for a few hours of taking pictures. As a side-note, this was also the first time I used my new camera (adding to the uniqueness of this event for me). We started out as a group in the trees, walked through puddles, looked at photos, asked people to stand still.

It was a good day.

We walked to the beach area. The more popular part of the park. Even though it was dried up we still found a way to get some cool photos. I guess that’s just what happens when you take 30 photographers and put them in the middle of a dried up lake. I missed a lot of photos because of the learning curve of my new camera but was happy with the ones that worked out.

Missing a photo isn’t the end of the world.

It felt like one of our school trips. Yet, instead of sending our photos in for marks we showed each other what we had taken that day and then decided to have a bonfire. Some of us had dinner plans to get to, while others stayed until the Northern Lights came out. The sun went down and it became quite cold. Everyone had a good time though.

Even though the day was finished the connections and memories we made that day continued on.

sense of space.

My sense of space was the Canadian Museum of Human Rights. Okay, it’s a pretty big space but it was definitely worth it. I chose it because this is a really important place that I firmly believe everyone should explore. Whether it’s for the architecture, or to learn - you won’t be disappointed. The CMHR is filled with ever-changing lighting. The idea of the museum is that you start in the darkness and as you make your way it gets lighter.

It is very symbolic.

It is a museum so of course there is a lot to learn when you’re here. Yet, the museum feels like a giant art piece. With enormous structures that can feel hard to capture. Whether it’s the winding walkways or giant exhibits - this museum has a surrounding feeling to it. You can look up, down, left, right and you’ll find something stimulating to look at. There is a reason for everything here. We continued to make our way up the paths, taking in the sights along the way.

We finally got to the top and it felt lighter. I felt lighter. This museum has this heavy presence to it and ending off at the top of the city surrounded by natural light is the perfect way to end off. That being said, on the way out of the museum there is a Garden of Contemplation where you can sit, relax, and meditate on everything you’ve seen through your journey. Looking up you can see the tower as you slowly make your way out of the museum. I’ve learnt so many things here. However, I did learn that a student pass is only 35$ for the year. A relatively cheap amount for a year of getting to return and learn so much more.

I’d recommend to everyone.

Button Label

Years End.

S.A.F.E.

place, space, purpose, event

2020

2019.

less can be more.

for your curiosity.

camera testing.

2018.