Snow Coincidence

Mass-Observation was the product of Surrealism, for example the idea that 'coincidences' such as the burning down of Crystal Palace in November 1936 were omens through which the 'otherwise repressed condition of the British people materialized'. The Surrealists claimed that this fire was popularly regarded as a harbinger of war in Britain, These ideas of mass consciousness led Charles Madge, one of the founders of M-O to conclude that 'only mass observations can produce mass science'. Mass-Observation was intended as a way of recording and interpreting these omens of universal consciousness, a concept which might seem kind of wacky in comparison to the structured methodologies of contemporary sociology.

I wonder then what the Surrealists would have made of the 'coincidence' of the recent heavy snow and deep freeze in Britain: perhaps a portent of climate change or deepening economic recession. Actually, then, not so far away from editorial comment in national papers, or opinions that friends and strangers have expressed to me. So I went to look for omens in the snow at Bolton's Moses Gate Country Park. Also just to photograph people sledging... nice to see the traditions continue- brightly coloured broken plastic, teenage boys using giant tarpaulins and paddling pools as sledges, terrified children having to be rescued from the pile up at the bottom of the slope by their dads, the satisfying air of potential danger.......

(Quotes taken from 'The Most Offending Soul Alive' Judith M. Heimann's biography of Tom Harrisson)

     All images © Caroline Edge 2010

I've drawn no conclusions yet.....