John Duncan “Trees from Germany”

John Duncan is a documentary photographer from Belfast Northern Ireland and current works as the editor for Source magazine.  He is also the patron of the previously mentioned Belfast exposed gallery. Duncan has produced a number of well-recognised photographic projects approaching such topics as city regeneration, cultural identities and social divisions. Duncan has worked almost exclusively within Northern Ireland, and often staying within the boundaries of Belfast.

“Trees from Germany”, Duncan’s 2003 book exploring the ongoing regeneration of Belfast is a fascinating look into a City attempting to emerge from a troubled past. The troubles of Northern Ireland are well documented and I feel no need to go into details here, instead I will focus on the piece in question. Duncan explored the city from many different viewpoints and offers a mixture of the old, the new and the transitional, and in some instances all of the above within one frame.

Trees from Germany

As the viewer explores the images, we are reminded of the title, “Trees from Germany” as we are confronted by the familiar, yet out of context, vision of trees within urban environments. This enforces the ideologies behind the bizarre scenario of importing nature; the city is attempting to fool its patrons by beautifying itself like some ageing film star covered in makeup. These imported elements reflect the desperation and need a city like Belfast has to change its perception.

Trees from Germany

Duncan has selected these areas very carefully; we see how the juxtaposition between Old Belfast and New are placed within the frame, in most cases seeing the old at the back of the frame. Is Duncan suggesting a positive standpoint of this regeneration or merely happy to see the stereotypical view of Belfast taking a metaphoric back seat?  I don’t believe Duncan is making any political comment with this work; the inclusion of political murals and terrorist banners is included due to the nature of the project. This is Belfast, this is how Belfast looks regardless of what has happened, what is happening and what is going to happen, this is New, Old and everything in-between.

Trees from Germany

John Duncan’s website