Meridian

Simon Johnston, 202044 pages, board coverpublished by Steidl, Germany Photographs of England taken from 2012–13 along the line of zero degrees longitude. Using a large format camera, and gps technology to establish accurate locations, photographs were taken on the prime meridian line from coast to coast, facing either due north or due south. A vertical fluorescent orange line superimposed on the center of the tritone images represents the line of zero degrees longitude, transgressing the conventional purity of the picture plane, and mirroring how we superimpose a rational grid over the globe to regulate space, time, trade and navigation. A meridian is not only a theoretical line on the ground, but also a theoretical vertical plane going up into the sky. The orange line does double duty, showing not only the line on the ground as it extends out to the horizon, but also how it extends into the air. Imagine the orange line as a pane of glass viewed from its edge. If you were to step one m