About

About

The aim of this website is to create an archive of images of human experiences of migration.

This aim has evolved from our recognition that this common experience is not very well represented; migration is not new, Adam and Eve were migrants yet human migration continues to be designated to taxonomies (systems of organising), which categorise and define it either through anthropology, (the study of human societies/cultures), or through political nations and their nationalities (e.g. migration from Scotland to Panama; migration from Jamaica to Scotland).

We hope to contribute to the growing voice of people who do not (and/or cannot) define themselves through a single nation-state, and do not wish to be studied by academics and scientists, but rather, need to be recognised as having pan-national status, beyond the definition and restrictions/limitations of one country, its culture and politics. Until such a status is recognised, dialogues are bound within sets of terms and ideologies which by default, perpetuate existing models and limit recognition of evolution towards new values.

We’re starting with people currently living in Scotland – by providing images which represent the categories we’ve defined as stages in migration, (Preparation, Departure, Journey, Arrival, Acclimatisation, Integration and Return) we can contribute to the representation of people who belong to more than one place in the world.

This site has been developed through conversions during various trans-cultural projects since 2006; it doesn’t aim to accurately reflect the cultural diversity in Scotland today for two reasons: (1) it’s not an academic/scientific hypothesis to be tested, and (2) many people do not want to contribute their images. We will try to include images of as many places as possible, demonstrating over time, the connectedness of Scotland with other places in the world.

The term ‘Third Culture’ is becoming popular with many people because it acknowledges that heritage, traveling and new surroundings create a new sense of identity unique to each individual person’s journeys, experiences and values. Please click this link to read the Third Culture booklet which tells you more about this.

Explaining ‘where I belong’ is a challenge that can’t always be described in one simple sentence: our experiences and journeys are made up of moments and also long periods of time, and our sense of connectedness is developed through the people we meet and our online relationships.

The images on this website are on loan from people who have given their permission to show the places around the world that they feel that they belong to.

Some of the Contributors have chosen to change their name.

Whether you’ve travelled through many or few places, we invite you to share your photographs and encourage people to understand these journeys.

A sub-theme within this project is our aim to learn about how Third Culture experiences have informed the choices and practices of some people working in the culture sector.

While this website gathers momentum and more images start to illustrate the nuances and practicalities of the experience of human migration, early feedback from Contributors is telling us that they find it valuable to feel that their places are now represented, and they are using this site to enable their friends to see and think about the other places that make up their identities.

If you identify with this and would like to support us, please loan us images (in as high resolution as possible) and if possible, add 50 or so words stating the location of the image and why you’ve chosen it. Please upload them at this page.

 

Funders, Sponsors and Partners