Hackney Urban Survey
An ongoing series of workshops open to photographers at all levels aiming at collectively creating an archive of images documenting the layers that make up the East-London borough.
Hackney Urban Survey is an ongoing collaborative project promoted and curated by Mass Collective through a series of workshops open to amateur and professional photographers, aimed at visually documenting Hackney’s multi-layered urban fabric.
After a short talk by one of our guest tutors and a three hours photography session, followed by an afternoon of collective editing, sequencing and printing, the work is presented in a pop-up exhibition open to the public at Mass’ studio on 215 Mare Street. Besides having the chance to exhibit a print, the experience is an opportunity for photographers to challenge themselves to produce a meaningful image within a very short timeframe, as well as an occasion to share work with peers and learn from award winning photographers.
The idea of developing a documentation of Hackney’s urban fabric was born when Mass established its studio within MoCo Arch co-working space, a refurbished shoe factory on Mare Street. Driven by the curiosity to discover more about the area surrounding the studio, the first workshop explored Hackney’s industrial past and present. During the second session, fifteen photographers ventured out to document the neighbourhood housing typologies, from Victorian terraces to council estates and new developments.
Every workshop featured a different guest-tutor, who presented their work before participating to the shooting and editing session. Previous guest-tutor included documentary and fine-art photographers Freya Najade, Chris Dorley Brown and Tom Hunter.
The seventh edition of the workshop will take place at the end of February 2025. You can find more information about the next Hackney Urban Survey workshop HERE.
