Hitchin Camera Club Member has exhibition in the streets of French village

Simon Maddison has been coming to a little village in the Pyrenees Oriental for over 30 years during which time he has documented the villagers, their lives and activities. Some of the villagers have inevitably passed away. From talking with villagers Simon had seen old photos in their possession and had become aware of their personal hidden archives.

This year Simon decided to hang four A1 images in locations where he had taken the original photos. In addition he hung 1 photo taken in the 1950s by a villager, again in its location. The intention is to stimulate interest in this visual history and encourage villagers to hunt out old photos that can be hung in the streets next year maybe as many as 25. With the mayor’s support the village council is to consider backing the project with a grant for the printing of the images.

This initiative has been picked up and publicised by the local regional newspaper.

Here are the 5 photos in their locations, just taken on his iPhone. The prints were made by the Print Factory in Baldock and have stood up remarkably well to the sun and a couple of storms.

Click on each image to enlarge and scroll through the set.”