Design&All Rights - Michal Honkys©2007
 
 
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I feel increasingly frustrated by the Media’s depressing and violent representation of the world - wars, crime, pandemics, the so-called economic crisis dominate the screen and the papers. Not only does it have a highly disempowering effect on the population, but it is also very unbalanced and misleading. People are manipulated to believe and accept that the world is a cruel and dangerous place to be and that there are much more negative than positive things happening in life. Bearing this in mind we set off to restore this balance and bring the much missing positive and inspiring news to those who are ready to hear.
Over the period of six months my family and I have visited a variety of low impact settlements, community projects and simply groups of eco-minded enthusiasts and inspiring forward-thinking individuals. Rather than being just a photographer, I’ve always tried to become part of a community I am visiting. This has helped me build trust, openness and even friendship with the people I’ve been photographing. Working primarily in large format has also been a major factor in establishing a deeper connection with people and places.
Having found many empowering and inspiring stories of success, as a photographer I feel the need to share it with those who are in search of a more sustainable and nature-friendly way of life, want to re-establish community values or to raise their children in a more holistic way. The photographs are backed by a thorough research where numerous parallels between the present time and history are found, offering suggestions for the future.
Presenting positive images requires a different approach to make them more attractive to the public who are simply not used to them. Therefore the project is presented as a handmade artefact created from locally available natural materials. The images I’ve taken are always available to the communities and individuals for their publicity needs.
Although this stage of the project is completed, there will be a continuation. In the future we want to cover a wider range of issues, such as implementation of alternative technologies, ancient approaches to what we call ‘natural disasters’ (e.g. floods) and different ways of getting access to the land without breaking the bank. Also we would like to focus more on families and alternative approaches to child upbringing and education. Through this exploration we believe we will learn and get inspired, and in turn, will share the knowledge and inspiration with others.
'A Dream that Happened' - One very early morning, when the first light blends with the dark, I got up in my dream and found our front garden ready for a fresh vegetarian feast. My two girls, like two fairies, were sitting in the middle, smiling and inviting me to join them.I really got up, re-arranged (with what was available in the house) the set from my dream, set up the camera and woke up the girls. We suddenly knew that dreams can happen (July, 2009).
'The Pee-Hole' - The small settlement still waits for its permanent planning permission, but is well working towards it. Steward Woodland, Devon, England (April, 2009)
'The Dwelling' - John came to the alternative settlement of Steward Woodland with his family from the city. He had no previous experience from off-grid living, nor the skills. But he built the house and is working towards permanent, sustainable life. 'If I could do it, everyone can do it', he says! Steward Woodland, Devon, England (April, 2009).
'Todmorden' - is a market town in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, near Manchester. According to Domesday Book (1086) in Medieval Todmorden most people lived in scattered farms or in isolated hilltop agricultural settlements. For hundreds of years streams from the surrounding hills provided water for corn and fulling mills. Industrial Revolution caused a concentration of industry and settlement along the valley floor and a switch from woolens to cotton. Heavy industry is now part of Todmorden’s history, not its present. The industrial chimneys are largely gone and the remaining mills have mostly been converted for other purposes. Todmorden has become a commuters’ town with declining population and rising unemployment (July, 2009).
‘Grow Your Own Food’ - a street corner in Todmorden, where the Incredible Edible group established one of the many free vegetable plots. The photographs show the Asian Restaurant's chief and owner, who use the place to grow their own herbs and salads for their menu. Todmorden, England (July, 2009).
‘Ferney Lee Primary School' Todmorden. The school won a grant from BBC/ National Lottery’s ‘Breathing Spaces’ and Mat Harrow, the caretaker, set it up. Today almost 30 vegetable raised beds are covering former concrete unused ground. The school also set a Wild Educational Walk, planted native trees, established a pond…In fact all schools in Todmorden has started growing edible plants thanks to the initiatives of the Incredible Edible enthusiasts.Todmorden, England (July, 2009).
‘Let the sleeping ones work for the children’ - I am not that sure about ripening onion bulbs and climbing beans on the graveyard that happens to be a neighbour of a primary school. “But these poor children haven’t got any land!” explains Mary. So the little darlings have been playing and gardening on the graveyard! But then Mary says something that has changed my opinion about the whole cemetery thing completely. “Let the sleeping ones work for the children. That would make them happy.” What a beautiful tribute to the dead, and what a great celebration of life! Incredible Edible, Todmorden, England (July, 2009).
‘The First Solar Boat in the World’ – By 'lucky' consequences we had the chance to experience the ride on the first solar paddle boat in the world. For free. Inverness, Northern Scotland (August, 2009).
‘Cairngorm Mountain’- In Aviemore we pitched our tent by the side of a beautiful, oval-shaped, clear blue lake. In a way it wasn’t wise, because the midges kept attacking us. We went mushrooming and had enough for a whole dinner (from our daughter Arisha notepad). Scotland (August, 2009).
'The Land' – a view of the oldest eco settlement in Britain, Findhorn Foundation in Northern Scotland (August, 2009).
'The Energy' – Combined, the small-scale windfarm produces between 75% and 100% of the electricity used at the Findhorn Foundation. Findhorn Foundation, Northern Scotland (August, 2009).
‘The Original Garden’ - Established in 1962 as a caravan park in sand dunes, Findhorn is the oldest eco community in Britain. The original garden was famous for its crops and connections with nature's spirits. Who can tell... Findhorn Foundation, Northern Scotland (August, 2009).
‘The Original Caravan’ - Findhorn Community was founded as a caravan camp in 1962 by Peter and Eileen Caddy and Dorothy Maclean, who sought refuge after losing their jobs. Allegedly, without any previous experience, the trio established a very successful garden in the sand dunes, growing oversized vegetables, roses in winter etc. Over the years more people settled there, attracted by the legacy of the place, that lasts until today. Findhorn Foundation, Northern Scotland (August, 2009).
'The Earth House' – the site used to be sand dunes forty years ago, today a spiritual eco settlement is well established and is inspiring people worldwide. Findhorn Foundation, Northern Scotland (August, 2009).
‘The Playground’ – Conveniently in the middle of the village and near most of the common amenities. I never felt safer to leave our child there and go for an hour, say, meditate or work. After coming back Arisha with honest excitement was introducing us her new friends. Findhorn Foundation, Northern Scotland (August, 2009).
‘The Sacred Forest’ – the re- established Caledonian Forest plays a vital role in rigorous climate, being a source of wood for heating, construction, home for animals and peoples celebrations. Findhorn Foundation, Northern Scotland (August, 2009).
A Thousand Ways for One Seed 
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I feel increasingly frustrated by the Media’s depressing and violent representation of the world - wars, crime, pandemics, the so-called economic crisis dominate the screen and the papers. Not only does it have a highly disempowering effect on the population, but it is also very unbalanced and misleading. People are manipulated to believe and accept that the world is a cruel and dangerous place to be and that there are much more negative than positive things happening in life. Bearing this in mind we set off to restore this balance and bring the much missing positive and inspiring news to those who are ready to hear.
Over the period of six months my family and I have visited a variety of low impact settlements, community projects and simply groups of eco-minded enthusiasts and inspiring forward-thinking individuals. Rather than being just a photographer, I’ve always tried to become part of a community I am visiting. This has helped me build trust, openness and even friendship with the people I’ve been photographing. Working primarily in large format has also been a major factor in establishing a deeper connection with people and places.
Having found many empowering and inspiring stories of success, as a photographer I feel the need to share it with those who are in search of a more sustainable and nature-friendly way of life, want to re-establish community values or to raise their children in a more holistic way. The photographs are backed by a thorough research where numerous parallels between the present time and history are found, offering suggestions for the future.
Presenting positive images requires a different approach to make them more attractive to the public who are simply not used to them. Therefore the project is presented as a handmade artefact created from locally available natural materials. The images I’ve taken are always available to the communities and individuals for their publicity needs.
Although this stage of the project is completed, there will be a continuation. In the future we want to cover a wider range of issues, such as implementation of alternative technologies, ancient approaches to what we call ‘natural disasters’ (e.g. floods) and different ways of getting access to the land without breaking the bank. Also we would like to focus more on families and alternative approaches to child upbringing and education. Through this exploration we believe we will learn and get inspired, and in turn, will share the knowledge and inspiration with others.