The Midland's Art Centre is currently displaying the work of two photographers who both respond to the effects of the car in very different ways.
Martin Newth's project, Vanishing Point depicts seemingly abandoned motorways stretching off into the distance.
The photographs are unnerving because despite the fact that the roads are empty, they still evoke feelings of speed as the six straight lanes race forever to their vanishing points.
The gallery notes show that Newth is interested in manmade objects that "have little or no purpose outside their functionality". This description of motorways seems justified when looking at Newth's photographs. When they are not carrying cars to there destination, motorways are essentially redundant and seem to scar our landscape unnecessarily.
The exhibition becomes more intriguing when the visitor reads the titles of the individual works and realises that the photos were taken during rush hour when the motorways would have been packed with cars. By using an hour-long exposure, the moving cars have become imperceptible blurs on the picture.
Martin Newth uses the same technique to photograph suburban houses at night.
But it is the motorways that are the most successful pictures in this exhibition. Focusing on a subject that is normally only viewed at 70mph or through heavy traffic provides a fascinating new perspective on an all to common aspect of modern life.
Robert Hatton uses a more familiar technique in his photographs of cars. Collectively, his work is entitled Customized and explores the modern practice of customizing cars wildly beyond what the car manufacturers intended. The photos take the form of simple portraits of cars and their owners- all of whom are men.
Hatton's subjects are typically referred to as "boy racers" yet the photographer only takes pictures of stationary cars with the owner standing proudly by its side.
Rather than being dangerous street racers, the people depicted in Customized seem to be forging a personal identity through their car that has not been prescribed by a multinational car manufacturer.
Vanishing Point and Customized are both on display at the MAC until August 29. Entry is free.
