The Commons. David Moore's new project takes him to the heart of British politics. For three years he has been making photographs in the empty chamber of the House of Commons, creating a contemporary document of the physical centre of the British political system.
The Commons
David Moore's new project takes him to the heart of British politics. For three years he has been making photographs in the empty chamber of the House of Commons, creating a contemporary document of the physical centre of the British political system.
This is a survey about unseen and overlooked areas with Moore photographing the minutiae of the chamber, such as discarded speeches, chewing gum under the Prime Minister's podium and a housefly settling on the voting registers. His images scrutinise power and the ways in which an environment can act as a metaphor for the relationships that are negotiated within it. The art critic and theorist Walter Benjamin said of Eugene Atgets photographs:
'He photographed deserted Paris streets like scenes of crime. The scene of a crime, too, is deserted; it is photographed for the purpose of establishing evidence.....photographs become standard evidence for historical occurrences, and acquire a hidden political significance '
We can apply this observation to Moore's intentions with his photographs of The Commons.
David Moore's work can also be seen in 'The Office' at The Photographers Gallery until 25 January.
percy miller gallery
39 Snowsfields SE1 3SU
London