WWF's EARTH HOUR
Labels:
Climate Change,
Cut-Off,
Don't Use,
Earth Hour,
Electricity,
Environment,
Planet Earth,
WWF
Earth Hour - 29th March - 8.30pm (your local time)Info above
(click on picture for link)
One hour (8:30PM local time, wherever you live on planet earth) of 'non-essential' electricity shut down around the world. So if I do my math that ensures that each 'room' (or time zone) on earth will be darker/less energy sapping than usual. Or if you look at it in another way the earth will have 24 hours of less electricity consumption around the world...right...?
Anyway... Saturday 28 March 2009, 8.30pm, your local time, turn the leccy off.
Simple no?
Let's save those monkeys in the forest OK!?! And other creatures of this planet, including us of course... Anyway... Saturday 28 March 2009, 8.30pm, your local time, turn the leccy off.
Simple no?
Sign up here(click on picture for link)
And a bit more info here(click on picture for link)
Nothing more to write except GO DO IT!?!?
CINEMA REDUX
Labels:
2001: A Space Odyessy,
Brendan Dawes,
Cinema Redux,
Dr. Strangelove,
Films,
Frames,
Movies,
prints,
The Incredibles,
There Will Be Blood
2001: A Space Odysseycopyright MGM
Cinema Redux. A software program that captures one frame [or screen shot] for every second the film runs and places it onto one print [or sheet of paper]. Each line represents one minute so it's 60 frames [screen shots] for every line shown. I had to read that back to myself a couple of times...
I have looked at these for a long time, wondered why I have looked at them for so long and then asked the question of why I like them. Which puts me back in the middle doesn't it?
There Will Be Blood
copyright Miramax / Paramount
copyright Miramax / Paramount
It's most comforting to look at these even if you cannot see each frame and the idea is wonderful. Brendan Dawes was the man who created Cinema Redux and has created many a special edition. Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey being one of them.
The Incredibles
copyright Disney / Pixar
copyright Disney / Pixar
The prints convey two angles; one that lets you see the images from afar (as this post shows) allowing you the viewer to see another image (which could be influenced by the film that's on the image perhaps?) and another that, if viewed up close, shows you the film proper, which would be fascinating by all accounts.
Dr Stranglove
copyright Columbia / Sony Pictures
copyright Columbia / Sony Pictures
Some say the prints represent the film's DNA but I think it's more like the soul of the film. Softer, not so 'scientific' as DNA and a lot more approachable.
All those frames on one print make for a beautiful piece of art too. A simple concept transformed into stunning reality. These I would hang on our walls without hesitation.
There are applications allowing you to make your own 'Cinema Redux' poster. Thumper for Mac and Ruby on Rails System, which is difficult to track down. I have yet to use or see them but guess the process would take some getting used to. I could be wrong though, I could be wrong.
GRAFFITI WITHOUT THE SWEAT
Labels:
Amazon,
Banksy,
Basquiat,
Blek Le Rat,
graffiti,
legal,
New York City,
NYC,
Sherwood Forlee,
Tracy 168,
Walls Notebook,
Wildstyle
Wall Notebook copyright sherwood forlee 2007
Now this I like.
'The Walls Notebook'. A cunning publication that allows you to become a Banksy, Blek Le Rat, Basquiat or even a wildstyle Tracy 168. Who knows eh? All I do know is that you can define your own style in the comfort of your own home or favourite café.
Wall Notebookcopyright sherwood forlee 2007
Me? Well, if I were to live in NYC then i'd go to the physical place shown in the book, sit down on the floor with my back touching the said wall and let my pen do the talking. Once done, look at the wall, look at the book, back and forth, up and down, merge the two places and I'm there in my own graffiti world untouced by the cops and unfazed from doing a possible runner?! Blimey...
Wall Notebook copyright sherwood forlee 2007
Although some of the places they show in the book may not be the best place to sit and dream huh? I could be wrong though.
Wall Notebook copyright sherwood forlee 2007
You can also sketch your stuff on the website; pick your pencil size, colour and away you go.
The book is on pre-order at Amazon here, good price too. I now keep my fingers crossed for a London edition...
Want more info? email info@wallsnotebook.com
OFFICE TRIPTYCH
Labels:
Barbican,
Composite,
Images,
Imagination,
London,
Megapixels,
Offices,
Skywalk,
Stories,
Story,
Triptych
From my travels around The Barbican Centre I shot a series of images focussing on an office block. The Barbican has a number of skywalk's or raised walkways and offer a great view into the many office buildings that hug its outer skin.
Barbican Office 1 (2009)(click on image for larger size)
All Rights Reserved
When I returned home I thought these images would do well as, what I call, passing-by pictures. Somewhere like a hallway or a walk-thru from room to room. Interesting when looked at for a brief moment out of the corner of ones eye but also has the ability to offer that something else when studied deliberately.
Barbican Office 2 (2009)(click on image for larger size)
All Rights Reserved
I have put these images in order and separated to give an individual view. The last shot, a composite/triptych of the three, shows this brief capture in time - about 10 seconds - and provides a certain animation to any story you care to conjure up about the office workers. My favourite being the stretching man on the fifth floor.
Barbican Office 3 (2009)(click on image for larger size)
All Rights Reserved
My camera is still in the 10mp(megapixels) range and many photographers put an issue on pixel size and state that image quality doesn't matter between 10, 12 or even 24mp's. But in my mind the last shot, the triptych, would look fantastic blown up to about 4 foot high and 6 to 7 foot long within a large room. This however does require a larger pixel count preferrably going into the medium-format 39, 50 even 60 mp range (see my earlier post). The aroma and clout would be lost if I blew these up from a mere 10mp.
Barbican Office Triptych (2009)(click on image for larger size)
All Rights Reserved
But the mind is powerful and if you look long enough at the shot, create your own story(s) and transfer to an imaginary wall then I think you will be suitably impressed. I certainly was even if I say it myself...
THRU YOU - KUTIMAN
Labels:
DJ Shadow,
editing,
Endtroducing,
Genius,
Kutiman,
magical,
mastermind,
mixing,
on-line album,
youtube
Thru YouKutiman Mixes YouTube
(click the above to play album)
(click the above to play album)
Now I haven't been excited about an album for a long time. Songs get me excited when I have found a rare track hidden in the archives of some torrent site but an album??
Thru You Kutiman Mixes YouTube
This my friends is genius. Kutiman, a man born in Jerusalem with tags such as musician, composer, producer and animator has come up with this DJ Shadow-esque, (Endtroducing...) on-line album. All samples have been taken from YouTube users and then mixed and edited together for 8 tracks of pleasure (there's 7 tracks of music but an additional 'about' which is marvellous too).
It took him three months of work and he spread the word via Twitter - some say the first Twitter star but who knows or even cares. The man is, in my books a musical mastermind. To make one song takes vision and patience but to make an album...?!?
I don't think the album touches Endtroducing but given that Kuliman has produced this in his house the scope for this guy, if given the pro suite, could be huge.
Although imagine the logistics of royalty payout if this went out on a label...?! Woof Charlie...
Respect to you sir. I hope this is the shape of things to come.
It took him three months of work and he spread the word via Twitter - some say the first Twitter star but who knows or even cares. The man is, in my books a musical mastermind. To make one song takes vision and patience but to make an album...?!?
I don't think the album touches Endtroducing but given that Kuliman has produced this in his house the scope for this guy, if given the pro suite, could be huge.
Although imagine the logistics of royalty payout if this went out on a label...?! Woof Charlie...
Respect to you sir. I hope this is the shape of things to come.
SOUTH BANK, BANKSIDE & MONUMENT CHALLENGE - PART 2
Labels:
Bankside,
Daily Express,
Fire of London,
Fleet Street,
London Eye,
Monument,
South Bank,
Stroll,
Tate,
Thames,
Tourist,
Tower Bridge
Royal Festival Hall, South Bank, LondonAll Rights Reserved
The sequel if you please! Another gap too long for my liking but read on, you'll understand why.
Tate Modern, Bankside, LondonAll Rights Reserved
One London stroll, if one can call it that, which lasted 6 hours. Yes 6 hours.?!My eyes were weak, my spine creaked, feet were swelled, back it ached... It was glorious!! One of the sights that I took in was (i)The Monument to The Great Fire of London, all 311 stairs worth of climbing recently refurbished and opened a month or so ago. Now I must say vertigo gets the better of me and I did think twice about spiralling up the flights but I was a Londoner being a proud tourist in my own city for the day.
Union Jack, View from The Fire of London Monument,Monument, London
All Rights ReservedNow when I move about London from A to E, sometimes diverting via C and D, the sights are secondary to me. The backdrop of the city is just that, it serves a purpose to house the public, move the public and entertain the public. I also think it's the case of when you want to get somewhere there is no time to look and stare therefore it's head down and full steam ahead. This, I wager, is the case for most city folk - workers and Londoners alike.
I never 'tourist it up'.
Underpass, South Bank, LondonAll Rights Reserved
So I did.Last week.
From South Bank to Bankside to Borough and back to South Bank. Across the water to Embankment then down to (ii)Monument ending up east side at The Tower of London and St Katharine's Docks. Burr-you-tee-full.
London Eye Capsule, South Bank, LondonAll Rights Reserved
It put a whole new perspective on London for me, being a tourist that is. My camera was out all day, I mingled with the foreign crowds, took in the sights and waited for Tower Bridge to open. I must add that last week was the first time I saw it open in all my 36 years of visting and living in London...!? Bloody marvellous it was to see the road lift, even though it would have been more exciting if I were six or thereabouts.
Tower Bridge Fully Drawn, Tower Hill, LondonAll Rights Reserved
So, here's my thought of the day.
I recommend that if you live or work in London become a tourist for one day in the month, every month. It makes you appreciate what amazing tourist spots we have and also puts you around lovely people throughout the day. Even if the tourists do swear, shout down the phone or slag people off you don't understand what they are saying and it sounds so much nicer in Japanese, Thai or French...n'est pas??
(i) I must thank the cashier in The Monument who gave student passes to the two girls in front of me. As I was a tourist I thought i'd be cheeky to these London folk and asked for a student concession too (£2 instead of £3). She shook her head, smiled and gave me a tut then asked for £2!! Fantastic! It was only a pound saving but the view up top seemed even sweeter somehow. Thank you! You also get a certificate when you come back down pronouncing 'You have climb the 311 stairs to the top"
(ii) I did pass by - on the way to Monument - one of my favourite buildings in London. The old Daily Express offices on Fleet Street. I wanted to take pictures but the streets were busy with activity. A Sunday should prove more fruitful and images will appear on a future post.
DAYLIGHT DRAMA
Labels:
controversial,
Daylight Drama,
dummies,
dummy art,
Level 42,
Mark Jenkins,
sellotape,
street art,
street installations,
tape art
Roofgirl(liking the pigeon stencil too)
Washington DC
Right, after an absence of much too long - redesigning a blog eats spacetimecontinum but much thanks to eblogtemplates, couldn't have done it without you! -
I give you! Street installations that step over the fine line of "Is it?" and "No! It couldn't be! Could it!" Blimus!
I give you! Street installations that step over the fine line of "Is it?" and "No! It couldn't be! Could it!" Blimus!
Embed #1Washington DC
'Daylight Drama', created by Mark Jenkins and 'performed' all over the world from London to Sweden to Washington DC is all about taking the interaction of street art to the upper most level. Level 42 perhaps, which in some cases is the answer to everything and others, like myself, a perfect marriage of jazz-funk and slap bass perfection (we're talking early Level 42 here, not your pop years...)
I have found a site that is run by Mark Jenkins and i'm pretty sure it is him who makes the art. It hosts plenty of pictures and a few videos showing the reactions of the public. Here a video shows the local authority 'rescuing' the dummy from a river in Sweden. Controversial? Not controversial? You decide...
The more you look at them though the more fascinating they become. And this is just via images on the web for gawd's sake...
I have found a site that is run by Mark Jenkins and i'm pretty sure it is him who makes the art. It hosts plenty of pictures and a few videos showing the reactions of the public. Here a video shows the local authority 'rescuing' the dummy from a river in Sweden. Controversial? Not controversial? You decide...
The more you look at them though the more fascinating they become. And this is just via images on the web for gawd's sake...
Bin Bag RummagePrato, Italy
Two strains take up the installations:
i) Tape Art - involving wrapping copious amounts of sellotape around an object then carefully cutting and reapplying. The babies I love. Delicate beings surrounded by dangerous and awkward situations.
i) Tape Art - involving wrapping copious amounts of sellotape around an object then carefully cutting and reapplying. The babies I love. Delicate beings surrounded by dangerous and awkward situations.
Storker ProjectWashington DC
ii) Dummy Art, if that is the correct term - mannequins dressed up, sometimes cut in half but always placed in full view of the passer-by. These are my favourites.
Embed #2Washington DC
Instead of the viewer appreciating with an instant smile or scowl the works really pull the person in, sometimes to a point where help or assistance is given, and make you question before giving judgement. It may be going a bit too far on some occasions - see 1st paragraph - but this is what I think art is about. Drawing you in from your normal existence and allowing the piece to tell you what you should be doing or thinking. Abandonment as such.
Although I think this is why cities are so blasé about seeing stuff like this. If you have been burned before and taken in too many times then you assume everything is dodgy and if you assume art is dodgy then the whole fabric of society is DOOOOOMED!!! It really is...
Storker Project
Take a look through my selection of favourites, many more here and if it is Mark Jenkins or someone else or a group of people doing this then keep it going!
Although I think this is why cities are so blasé about seeing stuff like this. If you have been burned before and taken in too many times then you assume everything is dodgy and if you assume art is dodgy then the whole fabric of society is DOOOOOMED!!! It really is...
Storker ProjectAmsterdam
Take a look through my selection of favourites, many more here and if it is Mark Jenkins or someone else or a group of people doing this then keep it going!
UnnamedWashington DC
More works in London though please! I'm growing tired of wall art...Zzzzzzzz...
Oh, and if you want to make a sellotape figure, object or wrap yourself up then here you go (also run by Mark Jenkins)
Oh, and if you want to make a sellotape figure, object or wrap yourself up then here you go (also run by Mark Jenkins)
CHARLES AND RAY EAMES - POWERS OF TEN
Labels:
atoms,
charles and ray eames,
eames,
furniture,
human,
light years,
massive,
miniscule,
powers of ten,
science,
universe
Powers of Ten(click the above to play the video)
Charles and Ray Eames
Commissioned by IBM - 1977
I think this is what a TV producer calls a 'damn fine link'.
Following on from my 'The Tenth Dimension' post; we all know about the ten dimensions now don't we? This post showcases the Powers of Ten film that Mr Charles and Mrs Ray Eames were commissioned to produce by IBM. It takes you on a journey from a couple having a picnic in the US to the furthest reaches of the universe back down to the atoms in your own body. As with the 10th Dimension film i'll leave the film to do the talking.
Released in 1977 the style of the film reflects this decade and the narrator's voice, as pointed out by a YouTube viewer sounds like Tigger from Disney's Winnie the Pooh. He was in fact Philip Morrison who was the science behind it.
Following on from my 'The Tenth Dimension' post; we all know about the ten dimensions now don't we? This post showcases the Powers of Ten film that Mr Charles and Mrs Ray Eames were commissioned to produce by IBM. It takes you on a journey from a couple having a picnic in the US to the furthest reaches of the universe back down to the atoms in your own body. As with the 10th Dimension film i'll leave the film to do the talking.
Released in 1977 the style of the film reflects this decade and the narrator's voice, as pointed out by a YouTube viewer sounds like Tigger from Disney's Winnie the Pooh. He was in fact Philip Morrison who was the science behind it.
Powers of Ten
Charles and Ray Eames
Commissioned by IBM - 1977
Charles and Ray Eames
Commissioned by IBM - 1977
Fascinating on all levels and a nice tight 9 minutes to keep you focussed.
The real thing that gets me about space and the human is that the darkest depths of the universe look exactly the same as the nerves in our brains.
Mark Miller vs AstrophysicistsBrain on the left - Universe on right
2006
Coincidence? Tweaking of the computer modelling software? A link?? I remember a scene in National Lampoon's Animal House where Donald Sutherland explains to a student that our universe could be a spot in someone's finger nail, therefore many spots in a human could be billions of universe like our own... They were smoking *mowee-wowee at the time
Now i'm not a man of God but the similarities are astounding and it feels to me like there's a game going on somewhere by something to that someone being us... I could go onto the reason why oil is so hard to find and extract or why lungs look like trees, that's a good one, or why the ocean conveyor belt is more 'mechanical' than just a natural occurence.
Woof Charlie! Anyhow, enjoy the film and let the famous furniture makers take you on a trip that's as beautiful as their designs.
Apologies for using a YouTube film. There is an official website but the film did not load. Take a look around though, it may work for you.
*reference Nine to Five film - Lily Tomlin explaining what they (Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda) are smoking.
Now i'm not a man of God but the similarities are astounding and it feels to me like there's a game going on somewhere by something to that someone being us... I could go onto the reason why oil is so hard to find and extract or why lungs look like trees, that's a good one, or why the ocean conveyor belt is more 'mechanical' than just a natural occurence.
Woof Charlie! Anyhow, enjoy the film and let the famous furniture makers take you on a trip that's as beautiful as their designs.
Apologies for using a YouTube film. There is an official website but the film did not load. Take a look around though, it may work for you.
*reference Nine to Five film - Lily Tomlin explaining what they (Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda) are smoking.
MASS GAS RALLY
Unknown, circa Unknown(click on image to increase size and quality)
What. A. Picture!
Beautiful? Haunting? Enthralling? Sad? Motivating? Essential? Just downright creepy??
There is much deliberation to what and where this picture is. Russian partisans posing for the picture to show how well prepared they are in World War II? Schoolchildren on a gas drill? A show of preparedness for the enemy?
I think this picture, regardless of where it was taken, shows their war in an almost theatrical sense. If you look at the kids behind the mock field gun there's a comedy 'showhall' feel to it. But this is dispelled when you look at the way everyone is standing and the vigour in which the kids are lying behind the gun.
You can tell a lot from a face but here they are obviously covered in *masks.
It's the three children at the front with heads cocked to the right that invokes a sense of question from them as if to ask,
"Is this correct? Are we standing right? What is this for...?"
This is the beauty of this photo. It makes you think, it fires back questions to your questions and makes sure you look at every detail so when you stop looking you cannot stop thinking.
*I wouldn't be surprised if Pink Floyd got inspiration from the above when animating the teacher in 'Another Brick in The Wall' I may follow that up in a future post...
THE TENTH DIMENSION
Labels:
Dimensions,
Imagining the Tenth Dimension,
laws,
physics,
quantum,
Rob Bryanton,
scramble
Rob Bryanton 2006Copyright Imagining the Tenth Dimension 2006
(click the above to play the video)
(click the above to play the video)
OK. You need your imagination for this one, and time perception, and space deduction, and folding ability and, and...
This video by Rob Bryanton goes through the dimensions from 1 - 10. It explains, in Layman's terms - although the explanation still bamboozles the noggin - what these 10 dimensions, could look like or be or are... Stay with me on this one.
I have always had a fascination about the laws of physics and quantum mechanics but alas my school was so bad and teachers so annoying that I purposefully closed my ears and made sure I was the most badly behaved pupil in their class. If I only knew back then how much I wanted the title of Professor now, believe me I would be making videos like this one instead of kicking myself whilst viewing.
I am not going to explain the film myself. See for yourself and be prepared for a brain scramble. I think on the 10th viewing and a lot of diagrams, to the power of 20, later this will start to make sense.
Fantastic video that makes you concentrate so hard you could burn a whole in your computer screen
DESIGN ODYSSEY CREATES DESIGN GENIUS!
Labels:
Airbus A380,
Bathroom,
Beautiful,
Design Odyssey Ltd,
Genius,
Innovative,
Paul Hernon,
Richard Branson,
Space Saving,
Vertebrae®,
Virgin Atlantic
Vertebrae®
© Copyright Design Odyssey UK. All Rights Reserved
© Copyright Design Odyssey UK. All Rights Reserved
An ingenious design from Paul Hernon's Design Odyssey Ltd. I love space saving designs and this just jumps to the top of my 'Best Space Saving Ideas' list.
Vertebrae®© Copyright Design Odyssey UK. All Rights Reserved
These, dependent on how heavy they are, would be ideal for the Airbus A380? Call me stupid but a few holes drilled in the metal to make the structure lighter; a water mist instead of a stream to save water; only one shower head and one storage bay; vacuum cistern/system...?? This unit can work within 2.25sq metres.
Oh how the untrained designer brain works hmm?
My aircraft experience and design know how is limited to ser-weet FA so I will not hold my breath for Richard or Paul to call me up. But I will let the pictures do the talking and let it clean you with its beauty.
Vertebrae®© Copyright Design Odyssey UK. All Rights Reserved
British design at its most innovative. Well done Design Odyssey, well done indeed.
THAILAND AND HER DAUGHTERS - PART 1
Labels:
Asia,
Bangkok,
Beaches,
Beautiful,
Chinatown,
City Life,
Hot,
Hua Hin,
Humid,
Market,
Ramkhamhaeng,
Sweaty,
Thailand
One women to another woman threading the small hairs off her face. Amazing dexterity and the speed is something else!Chinatown, Bangkok
All Rights Reserved
Thailand. A place in my heart. Love it. Love what it stands for and could breathe it in every day. Bangkok and Hua Hin are the places for me. On every Bangkok street there is a myriad of food, drink, shops and anything you could possible want. Hua Hin on the other hand provides the calm and tranquillity Bangkok could only dream of.
One of the many street markets in Chinatown. Go down this street and you walk the maze of smaller streets off of this one. Deep breath and away you go...Chinatown, BangkokAll Rights Reserved
If you need it, you can get it in Bangkok. Not necessary the original but you will get it if you look in the right places. The place, to me, is on the go 24 hours a day and everyone seems as though they need to get something done. A veritable ants nest of people movement perfectly choreographed.
Another back street in Chinatown and I come across this open house. By open I mean no front door just an alley leading into their kitchen. This wasn't a restaurant either, just a house with no door.Chinatown, Bangkok
All Rights Reserved
Market trader on main road called Ramkhamhaeng. Just wrapping up a deal which took about 10 minutes to close. I think this shot captures a look of relief on his face. It was for a set of suitcases you understandRamkhamhaeng, Bangkok
All Rights Reserved
An old Thai man in Chinatown looking more worn out than me. After an hour walking the narrow streets the heat and closeness gets to a western boy like me.Chinatown, Bangkok
All Rights Reserved
I have family in Bangkok and travel out there quite a bit. I also have the good fortune to see Bangkok from a 'non-tourist' point of view and see the real attitude and personality of city folk, which is 100 times more polite and 1,000 times less angry than London. In London you walk down most streets and hear shouting, anger, frustration - over in Bangkok you are what you are and if you are angry then you channel it elsewhere at home or look for enlightenment somewhere. That somewhere may be a food stall as they take food very, very seriously, which is extremely good for my poong yai (big belly). My wife may think differently though.
A taxi bike rider - men who give lifts to the public on mopeds - taking a well earned food break. The noodles looked good too.
Ramkhamhaeng, Bangkok
All Rights Reserved
A taxi bike rider - men who give lifts to the public on mopeds - taking a well earned food break. The noodles looked good too.Ramkhamhaeng, Bangkok
All Rights Reserved
Down a back street in Chinatown I catch this kid thinking about life. I was there for a good five minutes and he didn't move an inch. He may have stayed there all day long...Chinatown, Bangkok
All Rights Reserved
Hua Hin is about 2 to 3 hours in a car south west of Bangkok and is a royal seaside resort. Very quiet but still fantastic food and two of the best hotels I have stayed in - Anantara and Sofitel. Hua Hin is the King's resort and as such has resisted development like Koh Samui and Phuket. It has the right balance of everything and a fantastic beach to walk along too.
A truly amazing house on Hua Hin beach. If I could retire here with my wife I would. Stunning. And Hua Hin is beautiful too.Hua Hin Beach, Hua Hin
All Rights Reserved
So these are just some of my pictures in my collection and most were taken about 2 years ago; I do need to take more when I visit again this year. They will be of an alternative Bangkok, through my eyes so not every photo will be of the typical Thailand scene. I don't want to go through the same old Thailand guff about where this is and where to go but I will share my thoughts on why I took them and any stories worth telling.
An assault on the senses. There were hundreds of shops like this throughout Chinatown selling crisps and sweets and other Chinese/Thai goodies. Didn't buy anything though, the Thai food does it for me.Chinatown, Bangkok
All Rights Reserved
Once I have increased my collection then more will be posted. Much like the London pages I will update the Thailand ones when I can.
I love this shot of a lone goal in the grounds of an international school in Bangkok. This was before a huge redevelopment of the school so I don't know whether it is still there. I will find out later on in the year though.Traill International School, Bangkok
All Rights Reserved
So as with the London blog please enjoy my images and take in the kick and pleasure that Thailand provides. Quite beautiful.
SOUTH BANK MODERNIST AND BRUTALIST BEAUTY - PART 1
Labels:
Brutalist,
London,
London Eye,
Modernist,
Purcell Room,
Royal Festival Hall,
Shell Building,
South Bank,
The Hayward,
Waterloo
Royal Festival Hall, South Bank, LondonAll Rights Reserved
I have a thing for the South Bank and only found it out the other day. Not that I am getting bored with London but when I go out and about it doesn't feel new or exciting any more. When I were a nipper Oxford St and Regent St encouraged a 'WOW!' from my mouth, sometimes a "COR!" Even when I went clubbing in my teens and 20's I always had the anticipation in my stomach when travelling down from Reigate in Surrey. But today, although I still love the place, it has lost its chutzpah you know? I would love to visit London from a non-Londoner perspective though, I wager I would get that wow factor back...
Shell Centre, South Bank, LondonAll Rights Reserved
But come in South Bank, this is my Waterloo! The place rocks and I love it!
Shell Centre, South Bank, LondonAll Rights Reserved
London Eye, South Bank, LondonAll Rights Reserved
The structures are fantastic from the Royal Festival Hall, The Hayward, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Shell Centre right up to the present day London Eye. Although all fall into the modernism/modern 'bracket' (I'm thinking London Eye is just modern) they are the only group of structures that look different to each other yet complement and respect the space they are in, together with the space their neighbours are in. Foresight by the architects and planning departments or a unique turn of events that just work? The latter bodes well in my mind.
The Hayward, South Bank, London
All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved
The atmosphere down there is always vibrant and the place spacious enough to make sure you don't feel squashed, unlike Borough Market these days. Get to market by midday and my God you will have problems getting around the stalls. But if you do go there then head for the hot cider place. Cockles will get warmed quick sharpish like.
Royal Festival Hall, South Bank, LondonAll Rights Reserved
Just outside the Royal Festival Hall every 2 months (last one was on the 15th Feb 2009), there is a 'Slow Food London Market'. The visiting stalls set up with food, drink and bits to take home or eat on the fly (spit roast pig, pies, stout, oysters, wine, cakes). Of course there are plenty more places to go when the market isn't there; I suggest a day or two to seek them out.
London Eye, South Bank, LondonAll Rights Reserved
I have concentrated this page to the Waterloo end but the South Bank stretches further round the Thames to the east. Hope you enjoyed some of my pictures, more will follow as I start spending my weekends and evenings down there.
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