A Fluid Landscape

Harman, Amanda

Abstract

In 'A Fluid Landscape' Amanda Harman explores the shifting landscape of the Somerset levels, an area which, once sea, has gradually become land through a succession of salt marsh, freshwater wetland and rich summer pasture. Human intervention has seen rivers diverted, bogs drained and an intricate network of ditches, sluices and sea defences installed to keep the water at bay.

In recent years this land, damaged by drainage, agriculture and intense peat extraction, has been returned to marsh, creating a ‘new’ ancient landscape of water filled rhynes, damp fens, wet fern woodland, salt marsh and open water, fringed with reed beds.

I visited this landscape at a time in my life when loss and uncertainty had become very present. It became a place to reflect, a place of silence and recollection. The fluid and shifting nature of this ancient landscape spoke to me of the past and also of presence, that life is transient but also constant, that the past can be tangible as well as elusive.

These photographs tell the story of this watery landscape, tracing encounters with the changing of the seasons, the gradual return of marsh flora and fauna, the contant shifting of light, weather and tides; a reflection on the nature of impermanence and of transformation.

• Book Type: Authored Book
• Publication Date: Oct 31, 2018
• Deposit Date: Aug 21, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 11, 2019
• Edition: 200
• ISBN: 9781999607722
• Keywords: Landscape, Photography, Somerset levels, Somerset, water, sustainability, conservation, flood management
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/2372928
• Publisher URL: https://anotherplacepress.bigcartel.com/product/amanda-harman-a-fluid-landscape
• Contract Date: Mar 5, 2018