Month: May 2017

Hull City Of Culture 2017

MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 21

by anetesoodaLeave a Comment on MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 21

Months ago I had a feeling that this week will be the best week of the Hull City Of Culture 2017 photographic challenge and IT WAS F***** AMAZING.

With the sad notes on Tuesday I thought that there is not much that can lift the broken spirits, but it turns out that the unity, togetherness and community spirit will defeat the evil.

WEDNESDAY

On Wednesday I went to the BBC Radio 1’s Academy  to see Bastille for a special Live Lounge.
My reasons for the excitement about BBC Radio 1 being in Hull is simple – that is my radio, my ear-family, my wake up call and I love all the DJ’s, they make me feel like home. Even when I am not in the UK.

Clara Amfo was hosting the Live Lounge and the Q&A with the band.

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I was actually really surprised that I was allowed my “professional gear” in both. Usually I would be told off, but this time it was rather lovely.  For the Q&A I was in the front row because I made good friends with few BBC members. Big “cheer” to BBC staff, security and organisers – really welcoming and helpful.

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And I am like “OMG I HAVE A PHOTOGRAPH OF BASTILLE, CLARA AMFO” and I have every right to be over the mooooooon.

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After the splendid time with Bastille I rushed to have a nosy at the actual Academy so I can milk it as much as my time allows.
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Plus I got to speak with to extremely talented photographers Thomas Arran and Shoot J Moore. These two guys I follow religiously on social media streams, they are an inspiration and honestly – motivation. Both have equally a lot of talent, still being different.
I apologise that I behaved like groupie – I think I am one. sorry.

Also a SHOUT OUT TO ALAN RAW – the father of BBC Introducing Humberside, creative director behind the HIP Gallery and other great stuff. He got a shout-out on Mr. Jam’s show the other week and I was really happy getting the broadcast UK wide.

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THURSDAY

The new arrival in Hull  Travel Photographer of the Year exhibition down Princess Dock Street was an interest to me. Just cos the Wild Life Photographer of the Year exhibition in Beverly was so incredible, I thought this is right up that level.

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The content is fantastic, the display alright and I spotted a few favourites. The space was lacking “the interests” and at that time in the morning, people rushed to work, so I really had to be patient.
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SATURDAY

This is not my usual content – politics. But this year I am going to use my vote. On Saturday I went down to Humber Street where an event organised by Anna Bean and the “crew” took place.  We Love Arts and Culture in Support of Labour #GE2017 was the title and because I am trying to understand which labour candidate I would like to vote for, the event was the perfect place for lazy.
I asked a  question of why so many artists choose to vote Labour and I was sold.
Here is some info if you are interested: Arts Policy Lounch from Jeremy Corbin

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People there supported Emma Hardy. And I can see why, her presence is very likable, she seems honest and she understands people and their needs. She was there to speak to people, hear them out. Unfortunately I can’t vote for her, but you can if you live in West Hull or Hessle.

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ART IS FOR MANY NOT FOR FEW

THE LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST – for some obvious reasons I had a quick look in to Kingston Art Group Gallery and got introduced with

WITCHE’S KNICKERS [slang/British] plastic bags snagged in trees and bushes – an exhibition that contains paintings and clothes.
Really liked the paintings and absolutely loved the clothes.
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BLASTING FANTASTIC WEEK AND OFF COURSE THE HIGHLIGHT – BASTILLE AND RADIO 1’s BIG WEEKEND.

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The festival photos will be on the blog within the next week – I shot three rolls of 35 mm film. Really excited to see what will come out.

Hull City Of Culture 2017, Uncategorized

MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 20

by anetesoodaLeave a Comment on MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 20

Week 20 of the Hull City Of Culture 2017 and I call it ENGAGED. I WAS ENGAGED.

Week started off with rainy and dull Tuesday, but there was one person who was up bright and early [dark and too early] to transform a wall into a amazing graffiti mural.

This guy is Calvin Innes – Artist Illustrator&Cartoonist. We met at the Larkin Out Festival, he is founder of Drunk Animal, he is not drunk and he is very talented.

He was commissioned by Creative ENRG to create a mural that represents people from Hull succeeding in business [once upon a time].

I visited him on early hours and then later on the day to see the working progress.

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My promise to go back on photograph the finished piece was not very productive as the wall was used as doors and covered with fencing. The finished piece looks amazing, brightens up the Fruit Market Area and hopefully I will be able to photograph it in full soon.

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I was also ENGAGED to find the Ground down Beverley Road on Thursday. To my disappointment, it was closed.
Instead I had a little wonder around the area. The sun was shining and the mood was 100% happy.

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Finally I had the opportunity to get close to the scrubby looking Trafalgal Street Church. The building close up reveals incredible texture and detail.

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The building is fascinating from outside and I wouldn’t mind to brake in inside. So if there are any offers, please feel free to message.

On Saturday my beloved Hessle Road was on the spotlight.
When I moved to UK, Hull, my first home was down Hessle Road, so the are is special to me. Even though I have moved to the other side of Hull I often visit the area.

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It is so familiar, many of the shops still have the same people working there, my favourite take away, flower shop, Kurdish shop and off course the monumental BOYSES.

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Saturday was the day when the three giant graffiti murals down Hessle Road were unveiled officially with people involved in making/organising also being there. There is a story around every single mural and Fisherman memorial in the middle of Hessle Road remembering people who died at the sea, engraved in silver plaques.

There is lots to tell, the event was amazing, good coverage with many photographers capturing the event, locals gathering,  Hull City Of Culture 2017 volunteers and so on….

I had a very busy morning before that, I was still in my running gear when I arrived early, I was still out of breath after Park Run, but I was keen to capture the three, four stopping points.

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Halfway Public House – The Fisherman’s mural-representing the hard life experienced working at sea. Artists – Kev Largey, Lydia Caprani and Sharon Darley.

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Fotoworx – Depicting St Andrew, the patron sain of fisherman, guiding a mariner through stormy water’s. This also marks the entrance to St Andrews Ward, and Hessle Road, the heart of Hull’s fishing heritage. Artists – Neil Posto Deanes and Keith Homes.

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The same day I went to the Depart. Depart is a controversial performance in the grave yard. Yes, grave yard – cemetery. Right up my street[COS END OF LIFE PROJECT]. I was so looking forward to it [thanks to Caroline and Andrew from Hull Homeless Community Project for a ticket that I was so desperate for. YOU ARE AWESOME].
Off course I brought camera with me.

It was very strange, that there was no information about not being able to take photos, but mid-way, the event staff started telling people off for taking photos/videos. I managed to capture some incredible moments, before I started feeling really uncomfortable clicking away.
Depart really was something special – experience that can’t be captured in photos, we even had thunder and lighting at some point…
The performers often made an eye contact with viewers and that was unusual and so effective. The mud, small walkways and darkness created an environment that I have never been in.

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WHAT A WEEK I HAD. VERY DENSE, INTENSE AND ENGAGED. ENGAGED WITH HULL. WITH CULTURE.

HIGHLIGHTS:
DEPART AND HESSLE ROAD MURAL OPENING.

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THIS WEEK IS ALL ABOUT WORK, BUSINESS PLAN AND END OF THE WEEK – RADIO 1’S BIG WEEKEND.

I AM TAKING FILM INSTEAD OF DIGITAL [JUST COS MY GEAR IS NOT WELCOME ON THE SITE (sadface)]  SO THE PHOTOS WILL TAKE EXTRA TIME TO APPEAR ON DA BLOG.

#GETCULTUREDMOVEMENT

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LARKIN OUT FESTIVAL @LARKIN’S BAR

by anetesooda1 Comment on LARKIN OUT FESTIVAL @LARKIN’S BAR

This year Hull is bursting with good events, festivals, performances and gatherings. And those are not necessarily part of the UK City Of Culture 2017, they are just here because all cities have culture any day, any year…. Newland and Princess Avenues are very cultural anyways, for a lot of people those areas have been the musts when looking for good food, drinks and entertainment.

So few weeks ago Larkin’s Bar hosted Bank Holiday mini-festival in its new magical beer garden with some fantastic live music, live art and off course Larkin’s Bar finger-licking food and real ales.

I have been waiting for a good moment to publish these and today is a perfect day for that – rain is poring down  and it smells like summer.

Also the festival has a special place in my heart as I met so many fantastic people and had the unexpected opportunity to meet a lot of bearded fellas who are helping me to create my BEARDOLOGY.

My main mission was to be there, tell people who I am by having a mini photo booth Anete’s style.
But I also did not miss out on an opportunity to capture the mood of the festival across two days.

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First thank you goes to Dan, the boss and the grafter of Larkin’s Bar for giving up the potential business space to me. There was no promise that I will be attracting thousands of clients, so that was super kind of him.

Second thanks goes to Calvin Innes from Drunk Animal for having me there, being so open mined and encouraging.

Third thanks goes to Paul – the mystery man behind so many bearded guys I took photos of and talked with. He had a fantastic beard himself and both days he was my support when I was too scared to approach beards.

The photo booth was not a massive banger amongst the regulars, but it was a blast with the beards.
Note: The beards are not ready to be published just yet, but the preview is coming soon.

I was working near the kitchen, so I was very close to the Larkin’s Bar magic- food is cooked by very best and tastes amazing [I tried it]

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And then the festival itself – so many people across two days, many of them interesting characters with interesting stories.

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As mentioned before there was live art by Calvin Innes – the Illustrator, Cartoonist and Artist and massive graffiti performed by Spray Creative.

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Larkin Out Festival was supported by Larkin’s Bar and Creative ENRG and the main reason was not just to entertain but to raise money for The Warren Youth Project. Since I was at the festival, I have looked at the amazing work they do, the support they are giving to young people and the most important-opportunity to create and learn.
I also looked up the Warren Records Three Minute Heroes album, it was amazing and I bought it. Really good quality music.

There was a moment at the festival where I have to be a professional – I was told that there is a group shot outside and I had to switch my work mode.

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Never the less my Speedlight batteries ran out of power that very moment, so I had to ask everyone to wait. No one likes to wait. But after the festival, I was curious what the fuss was about and I am so happy that I did. That is why I have the Three Minute Heroes album on my playlist.

Please, have a listen and maybe get it on your playlist too [link above].

 

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From music to beer – this guy was serving these amazing craft ales and beers, plus he was super friendly and got some stories to tell. His name is Micheal Charlton.

 

Overall it was the most tiring festival I’ve done, but most rewarding. And sometimes you just have to jump into the unknown and celebrate the things you love doing. The atmosphere at the festival was so fulfilling that I had to recover from the happiness shock for next three days [not even exaggerating].

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I hope that I can work with some of the people I’ve met there in the future, because I had the best time.

Hull City Of Culture 2017

MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 19

by anetesoodaLeave a Comment on MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 19

Another Hull City Of Culture 2017 week has gone by – for me it sometimes feels like I am unaware of so many things happening and my challenge is becoming content-less.

My excuses are workload and prioritising/juggling the life of newly established photographer.

This week I wanted to pay a visit to Artlink Hull, capture some people action in Queen Victoria square and Film&Talk: Dancing with Strangers:From Calais to England [unfortunately I exchanged this activity for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast with family].

On Friday I also went down to Hull University for Death Cafe. From a professional/personal point the gathering was so important. For those who have been following me are aware of my photographic END OF LIFE CELEBRATIONS project. The project touches my heart strings, I don’t think that I have ever had such a deep affection with what I am doing as that, so it was good to be surrounded by people who don’t think I am a weird bird. I was also able to reflect on importance of the subject of end of life and death in our lives and that the imagery I have taken has got an original quality.

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The event took place in Derwent building, so I was thrown into this beautiful world of picturesque scenes. For that reason I thought I’ll try and capture some more and celebrate the cityscape of Hull.

 

Artlink Hull was hosting a Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary Shortlist, weeks before the winner exhibits a single exhibition.

Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary offers a bursary and three month residency at high profile gallery to mid-career disabled visual artists based in the UK.

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Anna Berry
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Anna Berry
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I found that this exhibition was quite intimate and with a lot of personal reflections, so enjoyed it with my eyes, rather than behind the lens.

My favourite was Aidan Moesby’s Syndrome (ii). His work explores the Lima And Stockholm Syndromes. For me it was a throwback to the years when I was trying really hard to understand chemistry and the Periodic Table. What the artist has done – every element has a emotion/feeling underpinned and that is what I was feeling when going through it for exams and stuff.
It was a lovely reminder of why I have gone into photography.

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Artlink Hull is a very lovely space with lovely members of staff, so I hope I can go back in the future for some exciting things.

Over the weekend I managed to get out for a bit and I was rewarded – the light seemed to adjust to what I would like to see. It was like I was in control of it.
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It is valuable to see the ever changing city in a good light – we all look better when we are lit with light the right way.

 

This week I am super excited to be going to Depart on Saturday, so that will most likely be my highlight. But if I can I will squeeze in a visit to Ground down Beverley Road, cos that has been on my wishlist for weeks, also the The Train Track and Basket – Claire Barber is on my list.

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GIGGLES LIVE PRESENTS – LLOYD GRIFFITH @KARDOMAH94

by anetesoodaLeave a Comment on GIGGLES LIVE PRESENTS – LLOYD GRIFFITH @KARDOMAH94

28th of April Giggles Live Comedy presented LLOYD GRIFFITH – IN:UNDATED (PREVIEW) and other exciting acts, hosted by Gary Jennison.
The line up happened to be all-bearded comedians – Jed Salisbury,  Jack Whitehall and debut performance from David Bugden.
Here is a little insight of the night at Kardomah94

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I am currently/secretly working on a beard-themed project and that week I started some work on it. And to be at the comedy gig where all the comedians had beards was my ultimate highlight.

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From left: David Bugden, Jack Whitehall, Jed Salisbury, Lloyd Griffith and Gary Jennison

Also – lately I go into a comedy gig knowing what I want to see in the final photos and to me it is the greatest reward.

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TRIBUTE TO JOY – STAND UP FOR JOY @FRüIT

by anetesoodaLeave a Comment on TRIBUTE TO JOY – STAND UP FOR JOY @FRüIT

Beginning of March I was part of something very special – Stand Up Comedy @Fruit to raise funds for Joy Attwood’s Justgiving page so she can fulfil her bucket list dream of seeing the Northern Lights.

Joy was diagnosed with terminal cancer and was told that she is dying. The dream of seeing the Northern Lights and have the last holiday with her family was what she wanted the most, so Jed Salisbury, the director of Hull Comedy Festival decided to put on a gig – to celebrate Joy and raise money to fulfill her dream.

Jed is really good comedy-friend of mine and to contribute as well I wanted to capture the event.

Joy really liked Live Naked Idiots, so they were headlining, also The worlds only bomb disposal comedian Steve Rimmer, The finest comedian of Bransholme estate David Smith and Jed’s good friend Andy Woolston on the line up. And off course hosted by Jed.

Seriously heart warming, beautiful and precious.

My highlight was the support overall from the public, comedians and the honours to capture some family photos after the gig.

Sadly Joy passed away last week. She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Tributes have been paid and I think that publishing these photographs reminds about the good times Joy had.

During the night I witnessed strong family bond, a lot of love and joy.

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Thank you Joy for reminding of how precious life is, how precious our family is. My condolences to family and friends for this sad loss.

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Hull City Of Culture 2017

MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 18

by anetesoodaLeave a Comment on MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 18

Like every other week in 2017 – I had to get some culture into my system.

Sure, life takes over, work gets piled up and some reflections from last week about the impact of Hull City Of Culture 2017 were things that effected my involvement…

The week consisted of two main missions – re visit Skin: Freud, Mueck and Tunick exhibition with friends/family cos I thought not seeing Mueck at the Ferens Art Gallery is rude.

Off course no photographs allowed, so …..

Also we went down the HIP Gallery to have a fresh view of the newest exhibition – The Ragman’s Son

“George Norris is “The Ragman’s Son”. He grow up in the Hessle Road area of Hull trolling the streets and 10 foots with his horse and cart collecting scrap metal. Let George share with you his life, his family and memories caught on camera. The exhibition will be Curated by HIP Gallery’s own Alan Raw, who has a particular interest in George’s work as he is himself the great grandson of a West Hull scrap merchant and a Norris family customer.”

NOTE: According to some unofficial sources, Alan Raw did not get any financial help from Hull City Of Culture 2017 so he took the initiative and organised this himself. So this exhibition can’t be found on the Hull City Of Culture 2017 website and isn’t part of the event list.
I find it bit sad and controversial – as this is supposed to be the celebration of Hull and what can be more Hull that The Ragman’s Son.
Really good image content and lovely to see the rawness of the subject.

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7 ALLEYS/ THE LAND OF GREEN GINGER @EAST PARK

7 Alleys  was something that I wanted to see through the lens – I knew the potential image content could blew the socks off so on Saturday, after a very long day, I dressed warm and headed to East Park.

I was greeted [not really] by a grumpy security officer who told me that unless I am from press, I can’t take photos. BECAUSE IN THE DARK WE USE FLASH.

Only the small-minded in photography can’t get their heads around ISO and the upcoming light will require zero flash light. BAM!!!

It was quite interesting to be part of something that is a bit of a secret until you experience it. People really mad for it in a good way, so there was a lot of pushing, running, squeezing and apologising. But I got there, I took some amazing photos and fully experienced the light/sound/firework/human magic.

It was very tiring and physical work, really difficult to deal with crowds whilst focusing on the perfect image. But heey – who said it is easy.

Here is a full-ish gallery of the amazing stunts, lights, fireworks and action. It is never the same through the lens, but this will be a good reminder of what went on.

There was a lot of WOW – moments, so I hope that The Land Of Green Ginger will have something along those lines soon…

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Hull City Of Culture 2017

MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 17

by anetesoodaLeave a Comment on MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 17

There is a reason behind the word “challenge”. This week I was super busy with personal project Beardology, night of comedy and taking part in the Larkin Out festival at the Larkin’s Bar down Newland Avenue, plus many other life things, so I had to really push/challenge myself to get cultured regards Hull City Of Culture 2017 this week.

This week the focus was on Daffodil display and my own interpretation of it [just cos I missed it].
Ferens Art Gallery and Skin: Freud, Mueck and Tunick was another must see this week.

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When it was too late, I discovered that the Lego Daffodil display is gone. The daffodils were given away to people of Hull for small donation that week. I was very gutted, but I still went down to see it for myself.

But I was told that somewhere in Hull I can find two awesome kids who will show me the daffodils and I will be able to have my own photograph of these amazing Lego creations.

With bribery and good chat-up lines, they proudly showed off their daffodils and talked me through the day when they were queuing, waiting and ended up on TV. I was super jealous, but really happy for them.

Inspired by cheesy mainstream fashion magazine edits, I had an idea of how to have my own daffodil display – bit of patience and work, bit of Hull City Of Culture 2017 colours and yeah- I have my own LEGO DAFFODIL DISPLAY.

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Skin: Freud, Mueck and Tunick

LONG STORY SHORT – during the week I watched the film about Sea of Hull in making [incredible sense of unity and a lot of naked, blue people], I knew that the exhibition is out and I headed down there. I had a gut feeling that Mr. Tunik will be conscious about people taking credit of his hard work, so there will be no photos allowed. Which is really crap, cos my visuals are better than words.

And I was spot on – no photos are allowed in the Skin: Freud, Mueck and Tunick exhibition.
The staff has got more than three eyes, so I was constantly followed –  I think it is written on my face – I am a nosy photographer.

I am really sorry, but just as I was told off I took a miserable picture with my phone.

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I think it is ridiculous. This artwork would not be if not Hull. And the whole experience and photos is a fantastic reminder that Hull is amazing and people are absolutely crackers in the most incredible way.
Just have the recordings of the exhibition would mean a lot to me and potentially few other.

Just a quick feedback on the actual photographs and the quality of work.

There is no argument about the content, composition and overall idea. But MR. Tunik clearly used a camera that is not suitable for large scale prints. Very bad print quality and it kind of spoiled the viewing experience.

RON MUECK

I did study about Ron Muek and his fascinating life-like sculptures at Uni and I was hoping that I will have the opportunity to see his work in real life. Thanks to Hull City Of Culture 2017 it happened.

Ron Muek is Australian born, London based artist with incredible talent of shocking viewers with his sensitive and exposed sculptures of human beings.

“Mueck’s works command an uncanny ability to amaze with obsessive surface detail and intense psychic discharge. Engaging and wildly popular, they expose our need to validate our humanity, even as they thwart our attempts at full disclosure.”

Source and interesting interview with artist himself via link below:

The Progress Big Man A Conversation with Ron Mueck by Sarah Tanguy

I don’t know about my need to validate my humanity, but I was gazing at the sculptures for quite a while. It felt like I am a tiny ant looking at humans, analysing the danger they can cause.
It is magnificent execution of detail, skin and dimension.
The sculpture Wild Man without a doubt was the one that amazed me the most. The more time I spent looking at it, the more comfortable I felt.

It is definitely a must-see.

The exhibition is part of Artist Rooms Tour and will be there until 13th of August 2017.

Also I was told that there is a small gallery with samples and sketches of Mueck and I WAS ALLOWED TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS.

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+ a random photograph of a random art workshop.

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This Bank Holiday Weekend I was hanging out at Larkin’s Bar Hull and Larkin Out festival, so I spoke to a lot of people. In some conversations Hull City Of Culture was mentioned and it is not always sweet.

For example, there are people [from Hull obviously] who feel like this year isn’t really about Hull. We get fed with art that “they” think we should be looking at and relating ourselves with. The people I spoke with are definitely with decent IQ’s and have some sense of culture, so their opinion really matters. And what if they are right? What if we blindly follow what the Hull 17 board is giving us as Hull’s legacy, culture and history. Some of it is a bit out of context, random and too arts’y farts’y.  We have been given a choice of many different culture experiences, but how do we filter what really is important for old and new Hull?

My own experience has been wonderful, I have had the opportunities to be part of amazing things and I appreciate art for its being, for the change that it is bringing to Hull and the sense of coming together to get cultured as a city.

But I also see these points applying to the events.

There was another conversation about Hull 17 bringing photographers outside of Hull to record the celebration – that is a joke considering the talented few in Hull have to hunt for jobs. To make it worse  – one of the photographers have slagged of local photographers… I have no proof of this, but even having the rumour amongst those who live in Hull being a truth, puts the whole Hull 17 to shame.

This year is a distinctive year for local artists, businesses and people, everyone should have a piece of the Hull 17 cake – that was the whole point of this.

Something to think about and reflect on.

See you next week!!!!!!