A Typology of British Cherry Blossom
- Submitting institution
-
Canterbury Christ Church University
- Unit of assessment
- 34 - Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management
- Output identifier
- U34.021
- Type
- A - Authored book
- DOI
-
-
- Publisher
- GOST Books
- ISBN
- 9781910401118
- Open access status
- Out of scope for open access requirements
- Month of publication
- -
- Year of publication
- 2019
- URL
-
-
- Supplementary information
-
-
- Request cross-referral to
- 32 - Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
- Output has been delayed by COVID-19
- No
- COVID-19 affected output statement
- -
- Forensic science
- No
- Criminology
- No
- Interdisciplinary
- Yes
- Number of additional authors
-
0
- Research group(s)
-
-
- Proposed double-weighted
- Yes
- Double-weighted statement
- This long-form output involved sustained research effort and a multi-layered process of creative investigation. The processes of gaining access, identifying the different varieties, photographing all the different species at locations of the National Fruit Collection (involving plucking each blossom from the tree and photographing these individually), collating and processing the images, extended the project over three years. The research involved review of relevant literature; collection, treatment and analysis of over a thousand images that were all processed methodically and consistently; and compiling selected images into the monograph in a manner that allowed the research aims to be addressed effectively.
- Reserve for an output with double weighting
- No
- Additional information
- This monograph collates 323 photographic images of all the indigenous cherry species in the UK, and as such it records all the cultivars in the National Fruit Collection. The full colour monograph contributes to different disciplines; notably photography, pomology, and horticulture. The research brings new insights by revealing the nuances and precise differences that distinguish cherry varieties, which were overlooked in traditional illustrations and pomological studies, where cherry blossom was considered too uniform to note the infinitesimal variations. The work contributes to broader conceptualisation of collections by showing how the act of gathering together objects can uncover new understanding.
The research responds to the approach in typological studies within photography that focuses on images with subtle variance, emphasising the importance and pleasure of the rhythm of sameness. By providing a complete and accurate record of all British cherry blossom species, the monograph not only addresses gaps in archival records, it also offers investigation into the differences between varieties, and demonstrates the value of examining items that might at first seem indistinguishable. The research involved the collection, treatment and analysis of over a thousand images. The monograph offers a comprehensive record by organising the images alphabetically according to variety and grouped into four sections (early, mid, late and no season) providing not just aesthetic appreciation of each type but also their name.
The output was produced with the National Fruit Collection, which is tasked to keep an accurate record of British cherries for scientific purposes and to preserve heritage varieties. As such the book recorded endangered species, some of which have since died out. Sponsored by the Finnis Scott Foundation, the publication has been included in 25 key archives across the UK including Kew Gardens, RHS libraries at Wisley and London, and the Botanical Archives of Scotland and Wales
- Author contribution statement
- -
- Non-English
- No
- English abstract
- -
