ON THE WEEK WHEN HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN ARRIVED TO HULL I CONTINUED TO PHOTOGRAPH HULL COMEDY FESTIVAL 2017 AND WIZ AROUND HULL FOR CULTURE.
BUT THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT HIGHLIGHT IN MY WEEK – I MET THE GREAT BRITISH PHOTOGRAPHER MARTIN PARR, WHO I DEARLY ADMIRE. SINCE INTRODUCED TO HIM WHILST STUDYING A DEGREE IN PHOTOGRAPHY [A DISSERTATION ON MARTIN PARR AND KITSCH LATER..] I HAVE NEVER STOPPED LOVED HIS WORK. MARTIN PARR’S WORK HAS A MASSIVE INFLUENCE ON MANY YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHERS AND OF COURSE ME.
MARTIN PARR WAS PART OF THE HULL BEERMAT PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL AND HE CHOOSE THE BEST OUT OF THE SHORTLIST CURATED BY GRAEME OXBY. AND ON WEDNESDAY HE WAS IN HULL, KARDOMAH 94 TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS AND TALK ABOUT HIS LIFE AND WORK.
I HAVE TO SAY MASSIVE THANK YOU TO KARDOMAH 94 FOR HAVING ME THERE AS THEIR GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER [BASICALLY AN EXCUSE TO SEE MARTIN PARR] AS I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE TICKET AND I WAS NOT PART OF THE LUCKY 20 WINNERS.
ON MY ARRIVAL I SAW MARTIN PARR MUNCHING ON SOME PASTA, PAST HIM GIGGLING MY WAY THROUGH. I REALLY FELT LIKE AN OBSESSED FAN TO JUSTIN BIEBER. LONG STORY SHORT – I HAD TWO CONVERSATIONS WITH MARTIN PARR. FIRST ONE WHERE I CALLED HIM MY MADONNA AND MADE HIM FEEL AWKWARD BY SAYING THESE LOVELY THINGS ABOUT HIM – EMBARRASSING!!!! SECOND – BIT MORE ADULT AND PROFESSIONAL – ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY AND COMPETITION.
HE IS SO CHILLED AND DOWN TO EARTH – OR AS HE LIKES TO DESCRIBE HIMSELF AS VERY MUCH MIDDLE CLASS. OH, WELL. HE IS DEFINITELY MY IDOL IN PHOTOGRAPHY AND I WAS HONOURED TO BE IN THE SAME ROOM AS HIM.
HE ALSO IS GIFTED WITH A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOUR AND HE USED THAT TO TALK ABOUT HIS RECENT PHOTO PROJECT HULL, PORTRAIT OF A CITY: OLIVIA ARTHUR AND MARTIN PARR – HUMBER STREET GALLERY.
THE HULL BEERMAT PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL WAS AN INTERESTING PROJECT WITH A CREATIVE IDEA BEHIND – PEOPLE HAVE THEIR SAY ON CELEBRATING HULL THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN BY PEOPLE – NOT PROFESSIONALS [WHICH IS WHY I MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN SELECTED HA] AND BRINGING THE 20 PHOTOGRAPHS TO HULL PUBS – ON BEERMATS.
THIS WAS A VERY HAPPY HOUR IN MY LIFE. AND JUST TO END THIS CHAPTER – MARTIN PARR REVEALED THAT HE ALWAYS HAD TO DO COMMERCIAL WORK TO SUPPORT HIS STRANGE PROJECTS. WHICH MAKES SENSE, BUT IT WAS ANOTHER REMINDER OF THE STRUGGLES OF BEING A PHOTOGRAPHER, TRYING TO MAKE LIVING AND KEEPING THE DIGNITY, CREATIVITY AND ORIGINALITY.
Last week was super busy as the week was full-on comedy gigs night after night, plus other jobs, so I had to be smart with the culture I was looking for and taking photos. Basically I had two hours on Thursday.
First – whilst doing my research of what is going on, I tried to look for the less mainstream events/exhibitions and came across a small display at Hull&East Riding Museum – EXPLORING ISLAMIC COLLECTIONS. Small just because I’ve seen it and it is small. But still interesting.
Hull&East Riding Museum is one of those that remind me of the dreadful school trips to the boring history museums. But as a grown up I have learned that I don’t have to be interested in everything displayed. And to appreciate the classics and at least attempt loving the history is already a thumbs up.
And I really appreciated the massive mammoth and ancient PC. Kind of made my day by looking at these silly reminders of humanity.
..because there was mammoths in East Yorkshire once upon a time..
On my way there, I was also appreciating Hull. I was rushing, but I still find time to stop and watch Hull and people. This time I followed a group of tourists getting some Hull themed walks with a guide.
Also finally took a photo of the newly refurbished Beverley Gate… kind of… it is very flat. This might be one of those subjects that only make sense with people in the scene..to be continued.
Same day, same two hour slot I spotted and took photographs of the new roboty light installation things. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? by JASON BRUGES STUDIO is currently being installed in at Beverley Gate, Trinity Square and the Museum Quarter in advance of the artwork’s grand opening on Friday 1st December.
To finish of the culture surprises I happened to see Hull Maritime Museum and Ferens Art Gallery lit up with stars. No tripod to hold the steady shot meant just a quick snap. I am sure that there will be more light installation surprises and I might get a tripod out for these special occasions.
+ AS MENTIONED BEFORE HULL COMEDY FESTIVAL 2017 WAS IN FULL SPIN SO I PHOTOGRAPHED FIVE FANTASTIC NIGHTS OF COMEDY. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS WAS THE BEST OF ‘ULL WITH AN AMAZING LOCAL LINE UP AND MY FAVES THE KAGOOLS.
NEXT FEW WEEKS ARE AGAIN BUSY BUSY, SO I WILL BE SUPER HAPPY IF I CAN FIND TIME FOR SOME CULTURE. ANY GOOD SUGGESTIONS?
ANETE SOODA PHOTO 