Research of the Billingsgate Fish Market
( 2019-ongoing)
photo took at the billingsgate fish market at 2019.
the history of Billingsgate Market:
1977- Now
Billingsgate fish market is the largest historical fish market, supplying the biggest proportion of fishes to the restaurants, located in South East London. Because of the Billingsgate Dock, the market was in an open market since 1850. Until 1877, the Billingsgate fish market is built. Thus, many fish shops contain three generations of people, from grandfather inherit to grandson. Besides, the languages and culture of those fish workers are strong and identical which based on the historical background.
Because of its long historical background, the people have already built up a strong community compounds. However, during the research process, the Billingsgate market is planned to relocate with the other two markets- the Smith field Market and the new Spitalfield Market in Dagenham, which will take one and a half hours to drive from the original site. And the project will start in five years later. With the development of Canary Wharf, it is not difficult to find that the trend of gentrification is happening there- most of the Bank headquarters, for example, HSBC, Barclay are built in these years and surrounded the fish market.
Sketches
Sketching as a methodology to establish the relationship between me and the fish dealers, and workers.At the same time, I can learn their daily practice through observe their work, which can help to further expand the ideas of the creation.
Trade: Sketch exchange the working coat
To continue building up the relationship with the fish owners, I print out several copies of the sketches to give back to them for the memorial, and to show my sight of the fish market to them. I also try to collect the white coat of them. On the other hand, Base on the research I did, I find those fish jackets are one of their symbolic identities, I try to collect them and maybe try to generate something on it after discussing with them. Using trade- a common practice in the fish market, to exchange the story contains(sketches and white coats) with the fish worker. The working coats left the blood of the fish, the dirt of markers show the reality of the daily life of a fish-man.
Research
01.
Archive and internet research. I had to do some research in archives and the internet, especially study the history and the recent gentrification plan of the area. Through readings, the related material, provide a different perspective of seeing the location.
02.
Interview with the fish dealer and customers- voice record. I interviewed with the people there, including the fish dealers and customers, listen and learn the stories behind them. That may provide more different stories and unexpected directions.
03.
Site recording- photo record building is a reflection of human stories, each wall, floor, trash maintain the track of the activities of the fish workers, I try to trace all these by sketching and photo taking.
Preservation of the Billingsgate fish market community.
This project is to collect some ice from the shops and try to do project the location sketches on it. Ice is a very important medium to preserve the freshness of fishes in fish market. The preservation of fish is also preserve the relationship of each fish workers for hundreds of year. Thus, I tend to use ice to make several ice installation in different location to reflect on the reality directly. When the ice melt, It create a symbolic meanings of melt of relationships.