MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 46

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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..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.

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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._Z1A4739WEEK 46 b_Z1A4730WEEK 46 b

 

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.

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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.

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+ 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.

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NEXT FEW WEEKS ARE AGAIN BUSY BUSY, SO I WILL BE SUPER HAPPY IF I CAN FIND TIME FOR SOME CULTURE. ANY GOOD SUGGESTIONS?

 

 

 

 

MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 41

HAPPY CULTURE WEEK 41

Week 41 – oh mighty cow – has been culture overload with highlights, lowlights and random discoveries. Last week was probably one of the most cultural in terms of variety. So the usual writing and reflecting is a danger to turn this photo based blog into a book.
Therefore sweet and short <3

Most of the weeks wonders are spontaneously found on the route that was planned ahead. Turner Prize at Ferens Art Gallery is the only culture visit I properly predicted to appear on this weeks photo challenge.

On Monday I visited HSAD and Brodrick Gallery that currently is hosting an exhibition for architecture. What a lovely place, with sweet memories and appreciativeness.

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It is hard to see the space as an exhibition space, it is more about learning of being an artist exhibiting in whatever way is your way. The space is surrounded by that feeling of first steps and unless spectacular exhibition held, I am not feeling it.

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Same day the route home involved passing POST OFFICE and I found the treasures of Freedom Festival 2017 [which by the way will be on the blog at some point, just because it is over a month ago since it took place].

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DAY TWO ROUTE: SPRING BANK – HULL FAIR/WALTON STREET – HULL EYE HOSPITAL AKA HULL ROYAL – GOODWIN DEVELOPMENT TRUST BUILDING ANLABY ROAD – PARAGON STATION – HULL 17 POD

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NOTE TO THE LAST IMAGE: First thing I asked the van driver was if he’s sober. Because his eyes, body language stated otherwise. He confirmed that he is sober.
Overall, what an experience walking through Hull Fair 2017 when everyone is starting to wake up.
There is a life behind the rides, a family business, a family. Walk through the West Park with all the mobile homes parked closely to each other is something to experience.
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HULL EYE HOSPITAL AND A SIGHT TO BEHOLD

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GOODWIN TRUST DEVELOPMENT BUILDING COVERED WITH HEADSCARF REVOLUTIONARIES MURAL 

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HULL PARAGON INTERCHANGEFLY TO FREEDOM

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and bits….

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In between I went down to the HULL 17 POD to have a chat with the volunteers [as you do] and soak up more info, make sure I am on track with the culture and of course aware of upcoming wonderful things.

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TURNER PRIZE

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On Sunday I visited the TURNER PRIZE for the second time. And there will be a third time for definite. It feels like the exhibition and the honours of having it in Hull is worth three trips and actually a necessity.

First time round I was focused on people engaging with the art, which is the fun part, but I felt the need to see it with my own naked eyes. Second time I was getting involved and got to know the artists via videos. Third time will be for the films and last questions.

 

THIS WAS THE FULL STOP FOR THE WEEK. BUT THEN SOMETHING HAPPENED.

The following story is true and quite sad. Thursday night around 6:20 PM whilst at work duties I accidentally opened INSTAGRAM and a fellow photographer was sharing a love story between him and world famous, admired MARTIN PARR [AHA, YES MARTIN PARR HIMSELF AT THE HUMBER STREET GALLERY]. MY HEART STOPPED FOR A FEW SECONDS. AND THEN IT CLICKED – HIS SERIES PORTRAIT OF A CITY THAT I CLEARLY KNEW ABOUT HAVE BEEN EXHIBITED AND HE IS AT THE OPENING NIGHT. AND I WAS CRYING INSIDE OUT.
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LONG STORY SHORT – I FUCKED UP. The thought that I could’ve seen him in person, shook his hand and told him he has shaped my photographers being and that I am grateful for his work and its existence. Plus other million compliments, few sick belly butterflies and the beautiful photographs he has taken in Hull.
I am a believer that things happen for a reason, but this one is just stupid and I can’t see a reason. By the time I arrived, he was gone. GONE.

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Every single photograph is the beauty of Martin Parr and his talent, he’s undeniable style of capturing stills that are more alive than a breathing human being. Thank you for coming to Hull, the Hull is now on the Martin Parr’s map and I hope there will be a book.

The exhibition is strongly suggestive, I will definitely be going back again and again.

P.S. The other w/f photographer Olivia Arthur is part of it too, just haven’t seen that yet.

SULKING AND WONDERING HOW MY LIFE HAS GOT SO SAD, I wandered to the THE SIXTEEN THOUSAND at the C4DI BLOCK C

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HERE IS MY STORY MY WEEK MY CULTURE. THIS WEEK SHOULD BE THE SAME – CULTURE BURSTING HAPPY ENDING PHOTO CHALLENGING. HAPPY CULTURE