Decisive Moments – Photographs and true tales from ordinary life

Morecambe Winter Gardens, Morecambe, weekends 5th – 27th September 2009

Decisive Moments is the latest exhibition curated by artist Sonja Campbell of The Snapshot Museum.

As part of a wider movement of social participation in British Contemporary Art, the show is a collaboration project with senior communities throughout the North West Region.

Displayed inside a purpose-built pop-up gallery within Morecambe’s Winter Gardens Theatre, the exhibition makes full use of this dramatic and once grandiose setting.

Populated entirely by extraordinary snapshots, Decisive Moments democratises fine art photography. The show forces a reappraisal and re-evaluation of the humble snapshot – not only as great photography, but as a mirror of our own life experience.

Simply taken, with no artistic agenda or intent, the images here could easily match up to the legendary likes of Cartier-Bresson or Diane Arbus – except these were more likely taken on a rudimentary box brownie camera than a Leica.

The installation is augmented with sound pieces from the participants – which sometimes contextualise the image and others playfully mystify the viewer.

None of the images displayed are less than 50 years old and often much older. Four of the collaborators are nonagenarians with the oldest Decisive Moments participant being 94.

However, these images have an electrifying existential resonance today. Showing the timelessness of the human condition, they explore themes of love, loss, belonging, family, friendship, and the pursuit of happiness.

The show challenges preconceived ideas about other people’s lives, ageing, and ultimately our own mortality.

Tags: Morecambe Attractions, Morecambe Winter Gardens, Snapshot Museum, Sonja Campbell