Zed Nelson: Hackney - A Tale of Two Cities:

A Tale of Two Cities is a project by Zed Nelson that explores the two sides to Hackney. One side is the view of the rich, the other being the poor. The old and the new. The old being the people who have lived there for their entire life and who are familiar with the area. As Nelson writes in his artist statement taken from his website, "Hackney, through crime-ridden, poor and dilapidated, is also now London's trendiest neighbourhood." (https://www.zednelson.com)

Zed Nelson's work is his interpretation of showing the changes throughout the area, most recognisably the people within. There are two sections in Hackney, the side of people growing up in the poorest of boroughs, the old, and the side of the trendy urban hipsters, the new. When the new meets the old. Nelson's project is about how when these two worlds collide, there's an overlap. The contrast between areas and the local people, despite it being a short but impactful difference. 

Nelson's work creates a juxtaposition between poverty and wealth. 

When the new social element, the urban hipsters, arrived at Hackney, the town generated a different atmosphere for the local people. As well as the public's view. Hackney's narrative changed when this happened, when it became more fixed in the 21st century. This created a separation within the town. 

Zed Nelson made a film entitled; The Street demonstrating the gentrification within London. 

Zed Nelson - The Street: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK7xP8LEgmA

Nelson's video focuses on the gentrification in Hackney. The local people and shops being forced out of their familiar setting. Nelson's approach to this body of work and film, is to raise awareness to the effect that gentrification has on people surrounding the changes. His perspective is of someone who grew up in the area and attempts to document the events unfold in front of him. Documenting the evolution of the area, a good or bad change, depending on the view of the audience. 

Images From A Tale of Two Cities: 

Zed Nelson's series of portraits were an influence on my self directed module. 

References: 

Nelson, Z. (n.d.) Zed Nelson – photographer. Retrieved February 13, 2024, "https://www.zednelson.com/?Hackney" 

https://www.zednelson.com/ (2019) 

Video - The Street: 

[online] Zed Nelson talks about The Street, his new film on Brexit and gentrification in East London Made Good. Available at: (85) Zed Nelson talks about The Street, his new film on Brexit and gentrification in East London – YouTube (Accessed 13th February 2024)