'A RETURN TO ELSEWHERE' at BRIGHTON PHOTO BIENNIAL 2014

Two locations, two photographers, working together to exchange experiences and perspectives, sharing the process of making to create a single project Photographers, Kalpesh Lathigra (UK) and Thabiso Sekgala (SA), have used the framework of collaboration to develop work at the same time in two cities. Together, they have chosen to explore communities and the representation, exploring understandings of belonging, histories, silence, memory and loss. Lathigra/Sekgala chose to begin their project in connection with Indian communities in two primary locations Marabastad and Laudium, South Africa and in Brighton, UK. Marabastad was a culturally and racially diverse community before forced relocation in the late 1940’s. Closeby, Laudium, on the outskirts of Pretoria was proclaimed an Indian Township in 1961 under the Group Areas Act. One of Brighton’s largest ethnic minority groups is of Indian descent, a community with an interesting historical back story relating to the British Indian Army, whose soldiers fought in WW1 and were temporarily hospitalised in the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, a building inextricably linked with Brighton’s identity. Both photographers are interested in the role of photography in representing communities, creating narratives and raising questions around truth and fiction, notions of connection and disconnection. Lathigra/Sekgala’s collaborative project combines contemporary images with co-authored captions to create pertinent associations between people, time and place. These include retrieved stories and notes from archives. Lathigra/ Sekgala have produced a new digital artwork to complement and extend the project. Co-commissioned by the British Council Connect ZA programme with Photoworks, Market Photo Workshop and The Space for Brighton Photo Biennial 2014 and the Johannesburg Photo Umbrella in a show at Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown, Johannesburg. The project is part of SA-UK Seasons 2014 & 2015 which is partnership between the Department of Arts & Culture, South Africa and the British Council. Circus Street Market Circus Street BN2 9QF Daily 11am-5pm Free entry http://bpb.org.uk/2014/event/a-return-to-elsewhere/