The Peel Tape Project

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am someone who grew up listening to John Peel. He informed my musical being.

Now I have grown up (and some) I am a photographer and I'm currently making a book about fellow Peel fans. Well, not the actual fans, but their tapes. The tapes that they recorded from Peel shows. Tapes of sessions, shows and festive fifties.

I came up with the idea after re-finding my collection of festive fifty tapes. It is sad but I had stashed them away as redundant (stereo 'upgrade' left me without tape deck). It is unlikely I will play the tapes ever again as I have now sourced mp3 versions to fuel my i-pod. However, tapes hold an aesthetic appeal to me and I want to document this form of technology before people start to dispose of it.

Although physical cassettes are all very similar the content and labelling are unique to each tape.

The book will be very simple - images of tapes, maybe some text about the owner and the content of the tape.

I am writing to appeal for tapes. For this project to work I need lots of tapes to photograph. I am hoping that each 'home taper' will be prepared to lend me one of their favourite Peel tapes. For it to work I need to photograph each tape in an identical manner. I will need to borrow the physical tape to photograph in controlled conditions in my studio.

I can assure you that I will respect the irreplaceable nature of your tape; I will be very careful. If you are a willing participant then I will send you a stamped addressed, recorded delivery, waterproof envelope, for you to send me the tape. Once I have photographed it I will return it in the same manner, without delay.

As well as taking the form of a book this project will be exhibited in London in July. Any participants will get to see their tape featured in a variety of different mediums. I can also assure you of anonymity if desired.

If you are interested please email me at martynbaldock@hotmail.com and I will be really chuffed to advise you accordingly.