josef chladek

on photobooks and books

Ben Roberts - Occupied Spaces, Here Press, 2012, London

Elastic cord loose leaf document binding, digital indigo + riso print on uncoated recycled paper. Bagged in clear self-seal polypropylene. First published 2012 in an edition of 250, reprinted in 2014 in an edition of 100.

‘On 15 October 2011, protestors representing the global Occupy movement set up a semi-permanent camp outside St. Paul’s Cathedral in central London. The aim of the protest was to encourage discourse and raise awareness of social and economic inequalities.On 25 October, several UK newspapers and media outlets ran stories claiming that ‘thermal imaging’ proved that only 10% of the 250 tents in St. Paul’s Square were being inhabited overnight. I was immediately sceptical of these claims.’This series of photographs catalogues some of the communal and private spaces that were installed in the St. Paul’s and Finsbury Square camps. The traces of activity and inhabitance serve as a clear document of the utilisation of a limited space by a large number of permanent and temporary residents.A third of all profits will be donated to support future community and outreach initiatives being undertaken by the Occupy London campaigners.

Pages: 28
Place: London
Year: 2012
Publisher: Here Press
Size: 21 x 29 cm (approx.)