Jiyeong Kim

"Traces of flow"

Section MS16, Sonia Levy

Keywords: environment, pollution, photography, water

"Traces of flow" revolves around capturing the river's continuous movement, emphasising tidal patterns, environmental influences, and the transformative impact of time. The exploration encompasses various factors affecting river circulation, including tides, water level fluctuations, surrounding flora, and the evident impact of pollution. The project seeks to tell a visual story that reveals various elements intertwined with the river flow, such as weeds, mud, infrastructure, and birds.

During my walks along the River Lea, I found myself captivated by the subtle changes in beauty brought about by low tides. These moments reveal the muddy and meandering river channel within the sturdy embankments that define the river's course. Consequently, as the river's height varied along my journey, I aimed to explore the corresponding changes it imparted to the surrounding infrastructure and plant life, as well as the traces it left behind.

My series uses medium-format analogue black-and-white photography to convey the traces of water dynamics and inspire contemplation on the delicate balance between the river and its urban setting.