Gareth Hacking Photography

New Tumblrs for 2012 - NQStreetArt, Carboard Covers and QuebecStreetArt

2012-01-31T03:00:00.000-08:00

So it's almost a complete month into 2012 and having spend the first two weeks of the year in Canada, I haven't had time to post a single thing on this blog. There'll be a lot of updates featuring my photographs from the trip over the next few weeks but I have also been busy elsewhere online of late. In addition to the OxfordRoadStreetArt tumblr, I've working on a number of new tumblr pages the first of which is NQStreetArt, a sister-site to OxfordRoad documenting the street art of the Northern Quarter. It's growing fast and will be moving up to three-times-a-week posting as of February.

Also starting in February will be QuebecStreetArt, a collection of the street art I photographed in Sherbrooke and Montreal while on my Canada trip with a new update every Saturday. All three tumblrs' are also linked to StreetArtMCR twitter, so between them there'll be new post everyday Monday to Saturday.

Finally there's Cardboard Covers, a new Cardboard Kid side-project in which the kid will the star of a selection of different album covers, updating every Wednesday throughout 2012. Hopefully. There's some more info on the project here.

NQStreetArt

QuebecStreetArt

Cardboard Covers

Carmen

2011-12-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

I recently did a photoshoot session with my friend Carmen, taking a number of photographs for both professional and personnal use. I'm really pleased with how they turned out and hope to do more photographic work of a similar nature in the new year, and have bought myself a proper backdrop for that express purpose. There's more photographs from this session in this flickr set.

Whitworth After Hours

2011-12-20T04:30:00.000-08:00

The Whitworth Art Gallery held one of it's regular After Hours events on Friday evening, featuring artists, musicians and poets responding to their Dark Matters Exhibition. I missed Butcher The Bar but photographed below are Adrian Slatcher presenting a selection of his poetry in front of Snow Mirror, We Are Willow - Part 3 performing a selection of their songs and ABC Artists' Andreas Schmidt, Jonathan Lewis and Mishka Henner creating a live, interactive digital piece entitled The Engine.

Northern Quarter Boys Choir

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

Making an appearance the Newtopia launch were the Northern Quarter Boys Choir. Raising funds for Everyman, they sang traditional Christmas songs such as Jingle Bells and Let It Snow mixed in with the not-so traditional - Total Eclipse of the Heart and The Shoop Shoop Song being prime examples.

They've got a couple more gigs at Common lined up if you'd like to see them perform.

December 21st - Odd Quiz / 9pm and Common Knowldege / 10pm
December 22nd - Stop Making Sense, Common / 9pm

And if you'd like to make a donation to their cause, they have their own JustGiving page.

Newtopia at Chinese Arts Centre

2011-12-19T03:00:00.000-08:00

Newtopia is a new exhibition at the Chinese Arts Centre created by pupils of Caldershaw Primary School working with local artists Nicola Colclough and Tasha Whittle. A response to the centre's previous residency by Utopia Group, the exhibition presents the pupil's visions of a utopian society, featuring their sketchbooks, posters, post-it notes and even tents filled with all manner of ideas.

The exhibition runs until December 23rd.

Manchester Town Hall Clock Tower Tour

2011-12-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

Manchester Town Hall are currently running regularly tours of their clock tower for the first time in 134 years. Climbing up the narrow staircase, you visit 4 seperate floors within the tower, with your guide tracing the construction of the hall and it's bells including the biggest of them all, Great Abel.

Tours are running daily until December 22, at 1pm, 2.30pm, 4pm, 5.30pm and 7pm. Tickets are priced £7.50. Children under 12 are not permitted. To book, call 0161 234 4433, between 10am and 5pm, or visit the main reception desk in the town hall.

Beat the Radar at Course You Can Malcolm

2011-12-10T03:00:00.000-08:00

Beat The Radar playing at the FC United's pre-match gig.

Advances in Mathematics at Course You Can Malcolm

2011-12-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

Advances In Mathematics playing at Course You Can Malcolm, FC United's pre-match warm-up event before their Chorley FC match last Saturday. The gig was organised by Akoustik Anarkhy.

Scarfed Statue

2011-12-02T02:00:00.000-08:00

This is one of a number of statues dotted around the Brussels City Centre currently wrapped in masses of scarfs. It's in aid of an aids awareness charity, though I haven't been able to track down their details as yet.

Floating Wire Figures

2011-12-01T02:00:00.000-08:00

A series of wire frame human figures found floating above a street in Brussels. Does anyone know the title or artist? I wasn't able to make a note at the time.

Hat Sticker

2011-11-30T03:00:00.000-08:00

Nicely done bit of sticker art found in Brussels.

Misty Days

2011-11-28T10:00:00.000-08:00

Sure was a misty out in the countryside last weekend.

The King's Head

2011-11-27T10:00:00.000-08:00

Love what they've done here.

The Maritime Museum & Aquarium

2011-11-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Maritime Museum and Aquarium is filled with all manner of information on nautical life and the development of Gothenburg as port along with fairly extensive ground floor aquarium. Currently being held on the first floor is an exhibition of maritime painting entitled Meet The Horizon, with the text pieces written by Sigvard Olsson, an artist and former sailor and Petter Askergen, an rap artist and entrepreneur, who seems an odd choice for such a project based on that description. There is some fascinating information in the text pieces on the competing Black Ball Lines and the reality of naval battles compared to their depiction in paintings.

The photographs below were all taken in the aquarium.

Let there be Light

2011-11-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

Photographed in the Aermuseum, Gothenburg.

Aeroseum, Gothenburg

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

Located around 15 minutes drive from Gothenburg (it takes a while longer to get there by bus - the 34 stops there once an hour), the Aeroseum is a rather special place. You disembark at a crossroads with the only visible landmark being this:

A ten minute walk brings you to the ticket office and then, following the road around a corner, you find this entraceway.

And it's down into the tunnel you go:

Just around the corner you find a door, which stepping through bring you to...

... a tunnel full of aircraft leading downwards into the earth! The Aerseum is housed in a declassified Swedish Air Force underground bunker, carved from solid rock 30 metres below ground and built during the Cold War.

Along the way down you will find background information of the reasons behind the bunkers construction, including plenty of photographs detailing its construction.

The information pages are a might excitable though.

Here's a few more of vehicles along the entry tunnel.

It's through the next metal door that you find the bunker itself. It's a huge complex, filled with planes, helicopters, and all sorts of other equipment from across the history of aviation.

There's also a couple of full-size simulators to have a little fly around in.

You can even sit in a number of cockpits (as some bloke is demonstrating below) and even climb through the vents of one plane, though it is a bit of a tight squeeze.

All in all, I highly recomend you visit the place if you're ever visiting Gothenburg.

Upcoming Exhibitions and other news

2011-11-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update to report that after a quiet year on the exhibitions front I have two upcoming. Firstly, my photograph of the Rawtenstall Tree won a Highly Commended in the Curiousities Celebrating Trees competition and will be exhibited around the region beginning in Bolton Museum, Art Gallery, and Aquarium from November 28th.

Here's the full itinerary:
28th November to 10th December 2011 Bolton Museum and Archive Service

16th December 2011 to 8th January 2012 World Museum Liverpool
13th January to 5th February 2012 The Manchester Museum
10th February to 2nd March 2012 Kendal Museum of Natural History and Archaeology
9th March to 1st April 2012 Rossendale Museum
6th April to 29th April 2012 Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust
4th May to 27th May 2012 Towneley Hall, Burnley*
1st June to 24th June 2012 Tullie House, Carlisle*
* provisional venues

Secondly, I'll also have artwork up on the Contact Theatre's online gallery - EXHIBIT, thanks to Doodlebug Nuggets. The gallery will be live from Monday, December 5th.

Finally, a couple of my photographs of BlankMedia's Title Art Prize are now up on the BBC News website here as of last week.

Limousines

2011-11-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

.As I was taking this photograph a woman who was walking by complained that the limousines were Saab's, not Volvo's. Swedish people sure do love their Volvo's.

Gothenburg Street Art

2011-11-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a selection of street art photographed in and around the city, with the first four were all taken in the same location. I especially like the flowers in the third photograph - Anyone fancy doing something similar around Manchester?

Gothenburg Christmas Lights

2011-11-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

It's been an extremely busy week for me and as a result I haven't had much in the way of time to write about my recent trip to Gothenburg. So here's the first in a series of posts I have lined up, with the rest appearing sometime next week. Hopefully.

Manchester Christmas Lights Switch On 2011

2011-11-12T03:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a few snaps taken during Thursday night's event. Last time I went back in 2008, I noted it was difficult to see the show onstage but the fireworks display at the end was spectacular - the same goes for this year's as well.

Gauntlet Birds of Prey Eagle & Vulture Park

2011-11-11T03:00:00.000-08:00

We popped along to Gauntlet Birds of Prey Eagle and Vulture Park on Sunday for the first of what I'm guessing will be many visits. Situated in Knutsford about a mile away from Tatton Park, the park runs a variety of flying and feeding event everyday, and also offer a number of different experiences, ranging from the 1 hour Owl Experience right through to a 2 day Yorkshire Experience.

We were there for the 2 hour Simply Owls, in which a small group gets to spend time handling and flying a range of owls from all over the world, from the Little Owl to the huge European Eagle Owl. I can confirm that it's fantastic fun and is I highly suggest you go along and experience it yourself.

For more photographs, have a gander here.

How Long Is That Rope You Spun

2011-11-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

How Long Is That Rope You Spun by Lisa Gold, on display in the atrium of Geoffrey Manton Building at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Dark Matters - Shadow, Technology, Art

2011-11-07T04:00:00.000-08:00

An extensive look at the combining shadow, technology and art, Dark Matters at the Whitworth Art Gallery opens with the spectacular Snow Mirror, a fuzzy snowy backdrop which resolves itself into the ghost-like projections of the viewer before slowly dissipating as soon as you move.
Continuing onwards you find Peg Mirror from the same artist, Daniel Rozin, in which 650 wooden tiles twirl around to form a silhouette mirror of the viewer, their small motors whirring away quietly, sounding just like a swarm of bees. Both pieces reminded me a great deal of the work of Rafael Lozano-Hemmer in their involvement of viewer in the artwork

Other excellent pieces include R. Luke DuBois’ video installation Kiss, Barnaby Hosking’s Black Flood & Thoughs (Butterflies) 1 and Moonlight off the Needles by unknown.
The work selected from the gallery’s own collection to accompany this exhibition is also of a high standard. I especially liked Anthony Gormley’s print Untitled (asshole), with black lines streaming the page from it’s central point.
Also to be found in the Mezzanine Court is Brass Art’s otherworldly Still Life No.1, in which a number of small figurines have been placed on a circular table in a dark room, covered in cellophane and are illuminated by a constantly moving light causing shadowy characters to drift along the gallery walls.
The exhibition runs until January 15th 2012. Go and see it.

Sun in the winter

2011-11-03T13:00:00.000-07:00

Tonight's beautiful sunset along Stretford Road.

Oxford Road Street Art Tumblr

2011-11-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

I've recently set up my first tumblr account, entitled Oxford Rd Street Art. The aim is to document the sticker art, stencil graffiti and poster work on display along Oxford Road, Manchester. I've been taking pictures of these for a while and since new items pop up along there on a regular basis, I figured it would be good idea to keep a track of things via tumblr.

Currently there's a small selection already posted with a new photo being added every Friday between now and the beginning of next year as I go through my back-catalogue. New items will then be added as they are photographed, using my trusty Sony Ericsson k800i. I'm still in the process of tinkering / adding details to the site - I thinking of adding a submission system in due course - so if you spot any of their own work and would like it credited, I'll be happy to make a correction and add a weblink if you can provide one.

Revolution Manchester Digital Sculpture - MOSI

2011-10-27T04:00:00.000-07:00

Here's the rather magnificent Revolution Manchester Digital Sculpture at MOSI, photographed from both the bottom and the top.

Looking Up / Looking Down

2011-10-25T04:00:00.000-07:00

Photographed on the castlefield/deansgate station stairwell.

Ford Madox Brown at Manchester Art Gallery

2011-10-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

Currently being exhibited at Manchester Art Gallery until January 29th 2012, Ford Madox Brown, Pre-Raphaelite Pioneer is an extensive overview of ~~the only artist to have a pub named after him in Manchester~~ (edit: there's also The Rembrandt on Sackville Street. Thanks to Mr. Joe Hodgkinson for the correction). I have to hold my hand up and say that I wasn't overly familiar with his life and work prior to visiting the exhibition, so it was interesting to see so much brought together and be able to follow his progression across the 10 sections covering different aspects of his artistic career.

His large-scale pieces are incredibly busy, full of life with people captured in all manner of poses and actions - there's 40 plus alone in Work. These pieces remind me a little of the 3000 piece cartoon jigsaws I used to get at Christmas – There’s so much going on and so many little details, it’s tricky to appreciate the composition as a whole when viewed in person.

My personal preference is for his smaller pieces and drawings. There’s an incredible intensity to Millie Smith and The English Boy, both of which feature small children staring out of the canvas, gazing directly at viewer. Also, the realism of Oliver Madox Brown as a baby is quite astonishing to behold.

I'm extremely curious now to pay a visit to the town hall to see his Manchester murals - It feels like the exhibition isn't really complete without seeing these twelve epic paintings depicting the history of the city on which Ford Madox laboured over the last 14 years of his life, forever associating his name with this city.

KEMS Concert Band at Macclesfield Methodist Church

2011-10-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a few photographs of KEMS Concert Band performing at a charity concert in support of MHA at the Macclesfield Methodist Church. Their set was something of tribute to John Williams, featuring selections from Indiana Jones, The Terminal and ending with Star Wars Epic - Part 2.

Palmstruck Has A Posse

2011-10-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

Whatever this is referring to, it's going right over my head.

Stolen Bike?

2011-10-16T03:00:00.000-07:00

Not sure what exactly has happened here.

Darth Vader's Head on a Stick

2011-10-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

I think the title says it all really.

Shop A Tory

2011-10-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Here's one of the many stickers that appeared along Oxford Road during last weeks Tory Party Conference.

Rogue Open Studios 2011

2011-10-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Rogue Artist Studios held it's annual open studios event over the past weekend. It's a huge place - 3 floors filled to the brim with artist spaces - and I ended up visiting twice just to be able to see everything.

My favourites included a preview of Owl Project's next umm... project FLOW. A floating self powered structure which will be launched on the river Tyne next year, it will feature a variety of "instruments circulating and processing water from the river, analyzing it, and transforming it into energy and sound". It was a fascinating glimpse at the large-scale work-in-progress wooden machinery. Big toys for big boys and all that.

Other work I enjoyed included Annie Harrison's cloth installation and Manchester Time piece, Hilary Jack's transformation of the everyday into fantastical displays, Liz West's colourful creations, Ahmed and Carpenter's linked work and Olivia Glasser's marvelous Table Piece 2.

And then there was Sagar and Campbell's space which featured Li Lu and her cello. They are currently working with other artists on a new combined arts project with Li Lu to develp a touring live art sculpture featuring In Love With Bach. The folks involved are very excited about the project and for lots of other individuals and arts organisations to collaborate with them. If you're interested, please get in touch.

Romeo & Juliet Poster for Chorlton Players

2011-10-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

I recently did some work for Chorlton Players, photographing Shakespeare's classic lovers for the above poster. If you fancy going to see the production you can book tickets online here.

Up The Dubs

2011-10-07T03:00:00.000-07:00

Here's the last photograph from Dublin. Up the dubs indeed. Not sure who Sam is though.

Tarsila Kruse

2011-10-06T03:00:00.000-07:00

I saw a few of these painted telephone exchange boxes around Dublin city centre with this one by far my favourite, along with being the cutest. It's just around the corner from Dublinia.

Anyone fancy starting a similar project here in Manchester?

Irish Museum of Modern Art - Central Courtyard

2011-10-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

Set in the glorious surroundings of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the Irish Museum of Modern Art has some fantastic exhibitions on at the moment in the form of Apichatpong Weerasethakul's For Tomorrow For Tonight and Out of the Dark Room: The David Kronn Collection.

For Tomorrow For Tonight presents a small collection of Weerasethakul's video, photography and installation work around the theme of night. In a fantastic touch, the work is presented in a series of gradually darkening rooms which combined with the video pieces of a old woman experiencing strange phenomena and visitations evoke the feeling of the night drawing in and dreams and memories stirring up. It's made me curious extremely to see his film Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives for which this exhibition is a companion piece.

Out of the Dark Room presents a selection of pieces from the collection of Irish born American David Kronn. Ranging from 19th century Daguerreotypes all the way through end of the 20th century photography, with the work displayed together in themes such as portraits of children, abstracted landscapes and portraits of artists. It's fascinating to comparing and contrasting how different photographers explore these themes, with all of the work is of extremely high quality and well chosen.

For Tomorrow For Tonight ends October 31st and Out of the Dark Room ends October 9th.

Crazy Heads

2011-10-04T03:00:00.000-07:00

Gissa Lift?

2011-10-03T03:00:00.000-07:00

Bad Photoshopery

2011-10-02T03:00:00.000-07:00

Found near the Guiness Storehouse. Where exactly are the children's legs?

Cyber Building

2011-10-01T03:00:00.000-07:00

Found on the side of Dublin Castle. Does it remind you of anything?

Troll Below?

2011-09-30T03:00:00.000-07:00

I popped on over to Dublin last weekend and snapped a fair few photographs, a few of which I'll be sharing over the next few days. Now, this wouldn't happen to be some viral marketing for TrollHunter perhaps?

Rainy City Roller Girls

2011-09-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

I went along to my first Roller Derby on Saturday, attending the opening party for the new home of the Rainy City Roller Girls in Oldham. The venue was the second floor of 1 King Street, a dusty space with a concrete floor ideal for skating.

The match was a fast, frantic and furious, with five referees in the centre trying to keep track of all the action. I found it difficult to follow what was happening initially, especially when trying to take photos - I'd look up from my camera and struggle to catch up with events. It was also definitely a bruising affair with scrapes-a-plenty for everyone, players being bumped off the track in all directions and injuries stopping play twice in the second half.

I'd certainly go again (their next home match is on Saturday November 19th) and on Monday nights the ladies hold a newbie evening if you're interested in having a go.

Free For Arts Festival 2011 PR Launch

2011-09-20T03:00:00.000-07:00

Free For Arts Festival held its PR Launch last week with many pieces of art on offer as part of its second yearly art auction. You can see a selection below as display by the lovely Lois Macdonald and there's a few more over here. And yes, that is Colonel Gaddafi on the ping pong bat.

The festival is running September 30th - October 6th with events and exhibitions going on all over Manchester - The full listings can be found on the website.

King Creosote & Jon Hopkins at The Deaf Institute

2011-09-10T03:00:00.000-07:00

King Creosote and Jon Hopkins performing at The Deaf Institute. Lots of jokes about losing the Mercury Music Prize, one temperamental keyboard and some gloriously beautiful music.

frànçois & The Atlas Mountains at The Deaf Institute

2011-09-09T03:00:00.001-07:00

The rather sparkly frànçois and The Atlas Mountains performing at The Deaf Institute in support of King Creosote and Jon Hopkins. Singing songs about kissing and falling (so I'm told).

Clockwork Radio VR Code

2011-09-09T03:00:00.000-07:00

A rather minimalist sticker-design. I'm assuming it takes you here. It would help if I had a VR-scanner-capable phone to check.

Truth on Oxford Road

2011-09-08T03:00:00.000-07:00

Philth in the Northern Quarter

2011-09-07T03:00:00.000-07:00

The artwork of Phill Blake. And here's another piece I've found.

Big in Amsterdam vs The Government

2011-09-06T03:00:00.000-07:00

I have to say I love the rhyming.

The Travelling Band at N4 Loves U

2011-09-05T03:00:00.000-07:00

The magnificent Travelling Band performing onstage at N4 Loves U. More photographs of the band here.

I Heart Shite Music

2011-09-04T03:00:00.000-07:00

Photographed in the Northern Quarter. Someone clearly wasn't happy with the selection on offer at N4 Loves U.

Save the Forest!

2011-09-03T03:00:00.000-07:00

I spent a fair bit of my time in Edinburgh hanging out at the Forest Cafe, a volunteer run free multi-arts venue that's been running for eight years in the city centre. Housed in a former church at 3 Bristo Place and filled with spaces for all manner of artistic activities, it's a fantastic place and I would suggest you go and visit yourself.

Except you can't.

As of August 28th the Forest is now closed. Unfortunately, the previous owners of the building went bust, and it's administrators terminated the Forest's lease with plans to sell off the space.

But the Forest have a plan.

And you can help.

The Forest folk want to buy the building and open their doors once again. Their aim is to raise £100000 to make this happen. So please go and sign up to We Fund Campaign. And for more information on other ways you can help, please visit the Save The Forest web page.

Balloon Dragon

2011-09-02T03:00:00.000-07:00

I found this scary looking fellow on the Royal Mile.

A Gorilla. Drumming. Under a tree.

2011-09-01T03:00:00.000-07:00

I've been up to Edinburgh over the weekend. Things like this were a common sight.

Lifeb oyu

2011-08-31T03:00:00.000-07:00

Found in Yorkshire Sculpture Park. I think I'll keep an eye out for similarly altered signs and start to build a little collection of them.

Watery reflection

2011-08-30T03:00:00.000-07:00

Photographed at Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

2011-08-29T03:00:00.000-07:00

Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a truly magical place in my estimation. It's a delight to wander along its pathways, encountering many and various pieces of artwork dotted through the land. I can't wait to go back and explore it further. Click here for more photographs from my visit.

Piccadilly Garden Memorial

2011-08-28T03:00:00.000-07:00

Why does it always rain on me?

2011-08-27T03:00:00.000-07:00

Photographed during a Piccadilly Gardens performance as part of Platform 4.

Unknown Hilton Street Mosaic

2011-08-26T03:00:00.000-07:00

As I was taking this photograph, an elderly lady wandered up and asked - who is that? I had to admit I've got no idea. Any takers? A quick bit of googling provides no answers.

Vieka at Dulcimers

2011-08-25T03:00:00.000-07:00

Photographs of the fantastic Vieka performing her special blend of basslines, subs and tounges in cheek, twisted lyrics and dubbed out beats...bluestep, toostep, freestep, 4 at Dulcimer, Chorlton.

Go listen to her music on soundcloud and myspace or go along to her next gig at Escape Bar, Chorlton on September 7th. You won't regret it.

IMAGINE WAKING TOMORROW AND ALL MUSIC HAS DISAPPEARED

2011-08-24T03:00:00.000-07:00

I had a little moment of realisation last week, when following a series of links brought an unexpected answer to something I'd be wondering about.

While boating down the river Irwell back in May I snapped this piece of graffiti under Prince's Bridge. You can only see it properly at river level, with the bridge blocking it fully from view above. Water damage had eaten away at the text over time and I wondered what was it's original message and who was responsible for it's painting.

Fast forward to a few days ago and, while watching a Do Lecture given by Bill Drummond, I decided I'd have a look at his current project - The17. Halfway down the news page, I find a photograph of then freshly painted piece above, spelling out in bright white capital letters IMAGINE WAKING TOMORROW AND ALL MUSIC HAS DISAPPEARED. It's one of a series of 40 he has being doing around the globe, painted during his visit to Unconvention 12 in October 2010.

Castle Hohengeroldseck

2011-08-23T03:00:00.000-07:00

Castle Hohengeroldseck lies in ruins atop Schönberg hill, having been destroyed by French soldiers in 1688 and never having been rebuilt. Today, a local society work to preserve the place with visitors free to explore the remains. It's even possible to climb the one remaining turret and take in the spectacular view of the surrounding countryside, the rolling hills of the Black Forest stretching out before you. An unexpected delight, I highly recommend a visit if you're in the area.

Pebble Balancing in Lahr

2011-08-22T03:00:00.000-07:00

Some more quick balancing, this time lakeside in Lahr.

Dandelion

2011-08-21T03:00:00.000-07:00

Fischgerippe

2011-08-20T03:00:00.000-07:00

I found this fishy fellow outside a gallery in Lahr along Langemarckstrasse. Here's another look at him from the side.

Hanging from the ceiling at the Château

2011-08-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

The following are all ceiling decorations found in the many and various rooms of the Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg. Beautifully put together though I don't know why the dragon was up on display.

Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg

2011-08-18T03:00:00.000-07:00

Overlooking the town of Sélestat, Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg is a stunning looking castle thanks to the restoration work under the direction of Emperor Wilhelm II back in 1900. It's currently undergoing refurbishment, hence all the scaffolding in the bottom photograph but it's still a popular tourist attraction judging by all the visitors. For more on it's history, have a look over on wikipedia.

Storks

2011-08-17T03:00:00.000-07:00

One of the interest things of note is prevelance of Storks, either sitting atop buildings or depicted as sculptures. According to wikipedia:

"Storks have little fear of humans if not disturbed, and often nest on buildings in Europe. In Germany, the presence of a nest on a house was believed to protect against fires. They were also protected because of the belief that their souls were human.German and Dutch households would encourage storks to nest on houses, sometimes by constructing purpose-built high platforms, to bring good luck."

also:

"The stork is a main feature of Alsace and was the subject of many legends told to children. The bird practically disappeared around 1970, but re-population efforts are continuing. They are mostly found on roofs of houses, churches and other public buildings in Alsace."

Though I'm not sure dangling a plastic baby from around their neck is a good idea.

Black Forest Sunset

2011-08-16T03:00:00.000-07:00

And now it's over to the Black Forest and Alsace for the next few days of blog posts.

Brick Balance

2011-08-15T03:00:00.000-07:00

A quick bit of balancing down on the beach.

Ty Coch

2011-08-14T03:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a snap of the lovely Ty Coch on the beach near Morfa Nefyn, Wales. I've visited this place a number of times over the years and it's always a pleasure to stroll along the beach. Have a look at their webcam to see a view of the area.

Portmeirion Money Stumps

2011-08-13T03:00:00.000-07:00

I found these in the grounds of Portmeirion. There's two along the coastal path just a short distance from each other though there might be more located in the woods. All the coins looked to be 1 or 2 pences and I found a rock nearby which appeared to be the weapon of choice for hammering them in.

Northumberland Road Lego Men

2011-08-12T03:00:00.000-07:00

More from Gary Smith A.K.A Brickz and Stones, who's Lego Men I featured recently. The Peace Angel Project is an attempt to send a painting of a "Peace Angel" around the world for a year.

Northumberland Road Graffiti

2011-08-11T03:00:00.000-07:00

Here's just a selection of the graffiti you can find on the boarding along Northumberland Road in Trafford. The web address in the bottom picture leads to the Girls On Top Crew - I don't know if their responsible for all of the pieces.

First Street Window Cleaning

2011-08-10T03:00:00.000-07:00

Here's Number One First Street getting a scrub down on a recent evening.

And hello to anyone who's made their way here from A New Band A Day. I would like to state though that I am not obessed with musician/cookery blogs, despite whatever impression you might have received. Have a look here to see what I'm talking about.

Micah Purnell Stickers on Lever Street

2011-08-09T03:00:00.000-07:00

Found on Lever Street. You can find more of Micah's here.

Also, I've been busy documenting this year's Family Friendly Film Club Weekender over the past few days. You can have a look at them here - I'm especially pleased with this one.

Cineheroes

2011-08-08T03:00:00.000-07:00

I can honestly say I'd never noticed this Tardis doorway on Lever Street. From I can find out online Cineheroes opened back in March of this year, so clearly I either don't walk down Lever Street much or I'm in my own little world most of the time. I'm not sure which it is.

Oxford Road Lego Men

2011-08-07T01:00:00.000-07:00

More from the overpass, this time the work of Brickz and Stones. Have a look at his website for more work and I'll be featuring more of pieces in the near future.

More Oxford Road Street Art

2011-08-06T01:00:00.000-07:00

Here's another piece that is/was stuck up on the overpass pillars - the site of many a temporary piece.

Oxford Road Street Art

2011-08-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

There's been a fair bit of graffiti and street art appearing along Oxford Road of late. Anyone know the artist of this one? There's a selection of their work along the road, with this particular piece to be found ~~down by the John Dalton Building~~ on a lampost on the corner of Cavendish Street and Higher Ormond Street.

Sunrise at Stansted

2011-08-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

Things have been a bit quiet on here lately, mostly just down to me having a lot going on for the past couple of weeks. But daily blogging will be resuming today for the foreseeable future. Well, the next month at least. I think. Oh look, here the view from the Stansted Airport car park at 6 in the a m.

Bike Slap

2011-07-20T02:00:00.000-07:00

Hulme Tyre Tree

2011-07-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

Found along the path that runs parallel to the A5103. Does anyone know why they've all been placed here? Did they all appear one day or has it built up over time? If anyone has any photographs or information on similar things, I'd be interested in finding out.

Wu Lyf at The Tunnel

2011-07-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

And then there was Wu Lyf. It's a shame the night kinda ground to a stop as they'd been pretty damn good until the keyboard starting acting up. It was hard to tell exactly what the problem was though as I couldn't understand a single spoken word throughout their set. Actually, the same goes for the other bands as well.

Dirty Beaches at The Tunnel

2011-07-18T14:00:00.000-07:00

Dirty Beaches was up next, playing lots of fuzzy guitar with a real retro 50's vibe - a lot more suited to a darkened basement venue than up on stage here. Can't blame the guy either for being pissed off when the roadies started moving Wu Lyf's kit onto the stage behind him.

Gwilym Gold at The Tunnel

2011-07-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday night, I found myself on Great Bridgewater Street for Wu Lyf's tunnel gig. Opening the night was Gwilym Gold - I didn't get to hear much of his set, so can't really comment on his music but did manage to grab a few quick shots. More to follow shortly...

cara b = side b Public Preview & Performance Event

2011-07-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday saw the launch of cara b = side b at BlankSpace. A collaboration between BlankMedia and Untitled BCN, the evening featured three performance pieces, all set to music. Here's just a brief selection of photographs from the evening, with a great deal more over on flickr. The exhibition runs until the 17th if you fancy a look-see.

Naomi Kendrick

Ephemeral Eggplant Intervention

Takahashi’s Shellfish Concern

Beech Road Festival 2011

2011-07-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

Last weekend found this years Beech Road Festival bathed in sunshine. And a lot of folk went along to enjoy it. A LOT of folk. Just look at them all!

Messing About On The River - The Mark Addy Circular

2011-07-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

Visit Salford has a whole slew of canal cruises and walks scheduled over the summer months. I went on the Mark Addy Circular about a month ago, which travelling along the river Irwell from just outside the Lowry down to the Mark Addy (natch) and back again.

There's two seating options - downstairs and inside or up on top exposed to the elements. The view is better on top but unfortunately you can't hear the commentary up there, which is a shame. It's a fun little ride though, with plenty to see as you drift on by.

For more information have a look here or have download the pdf timetable.

Cake for Dan Young

2011-07-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

I've been doing a fair amount of drawing and painting of late, with this particularly crumbly piece a contribution to Dan Young's 1000 paintings project. Dan, who paints a picture a day and contributed to 365 Days of Cardboard Kid, will on August 19th reach 1000 daily paintings on his blog and he's trying to get 1000 people to contribute a celebratory piece of cake to this flickr group. Go join in if you fancy.

Head Sketch

2011-06-28T02:00:00.000-07:00

A quick sketch of a bronze sculpture in the main hall of the Queensland Art Gallery.

Surfers Sunset

2011-06-27T02:00:00.000-07:00

Little crustacean

2011-06-26T02:00:00.000-07:00

Hidden against the sand on Surfers beach.

Moonlit Surfers Paradise

2011-06-25T02:00:00.000-07:00

This is another 30 second exposure job, using the steps down to the beach as a resting point. There was also a lot fewer stars to be found in the sky, what with all the light streaming off the hotels, shops and attractions just across the road.

Sticker Collecting - Oz Style

2011-06-24T02:00:00.000-07:00

I found all of these outside the Art Gallery of South Australia (their current Patricia Piccinini exhibition is one of the best I've seen - thought-provoking, dream-like and mildly-creepy), reminding me of this post about the stickers outside the Kiek in de Kok in Tallinn.

Summer Solstice at The Horse & Jockey

2011-06-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

The Horse and Jockey held its second annual summer solstice celebration on Tuesday night, with Illuminaughty / Foolish Rogues providing the entertainment. Unfortunately the mini Stonehenge was not to be, the hay bales set alight the night before but there was plenty of fantastic performances over the course of the evening, culminating in a 7 person choreographed fireshow just after sunset.