Continuing my exploration of environment and space and how people’s interaction with different physical areas effect behaviour and memory. I decided to research the impact on living in an inner-city environment to that of a rural town or village, In regard to reported crime rates.

 

 

I have always been fascinated by the 17th century painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio and his use of light and shadow to create, at the time, his ground-breaking painting style. With figures in paintings lit seemingly with large scale cinematic lights, painting biblical figures and situations with an everyday feel. Instead of the heavenly pomp splendour that had gone before, Caravaggio totally rewrote the rule book on Italian and European painting.

 

 

Whilst researching the man and his work it quickly became apparent that there were two sides to this great Italian painter, the man who was held in the highest esteem by the most influential and richest people in Italy, revered and idolized for his artistic ability.

And the criminal, the hard drinking, murdering, gambling, philanderer that ultimately resulted in his downfall and subsequent death. A story too rich and long to tell here.

 

 

So, as well as a study of environment, both rural and urban, it also became a study of perceived moral alignment with regard to social classes. Detectives investigating ambiguously grotesque crime scenes, within distance of anticipated wealth and advantage.