Tag: #photograph

Hull City Of Culture 2017

MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 35

by anetesoodaLeave a Comment on MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 35

Have a guess of how I am feeling today after full weekend of Freedom Festival? Trashed. And thankful for such a crazy work opportunity.

Somehow I managed to visit culture that was not Freedom Festival on Thursday. Little to say that photographs from Freedom Festival are still in “baking” so keep your eyes peeled for the highlights…

BACK TO CULTURE.

 

THE HESSLE ROADERS exhibition was something not to be missed – Hessle Road community was part of my lesson of how to be British and even after moving away from the area, I still go there on a weekly basis. The exhibition is celebrating Hull’s Fishing Community through an eye of a ALEC GILL.

AND JUST AS IMPORTANT – the exhibition held in church +plus I got someone cultured.

As we walked in we were welcomed by a warm handshake from a lovely man, who turned out to be the photographer himself. As proceeding through the exhibition and even days after, I get the sense of how important the short greeting was.

The exhibition is everything we need – genuine story with beautifully captured lives, connection with the past and the future [Smith&Nephew are the sponsor’s of Dr Alec Gill’s photo exhibition] and human factor in each photograph. To meet the photographer was my highlight, he was the warmest and nicest person, but on point and professional.

My favourite part of the exhibition is the opportunity examine lives of community in a collapse – how people lived, rebuilding their lives and keeping the community spirit. Real detail of real lives from psychologists point of view.

Everything was real, Alec Gill was real.

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BIT OF INFO:

As part of Smith&Nephew new £8 million world-class Research&Development centre opening THE HESSLE ROADERS was exhibited in the centre and still is there pleasing the eyes of  all the staff at Smith&Nephew [genuine source told me].

There is also an artist out there who is making film about Dr Alec Gill, so I will be looking out for it.

Dr Alec Gill is also author of books, Hull historian and filmmaker.

If you get a chance to go – it is open until 10th September.
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Hull City Of Culture 2017

MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 34

by anetesooda2 Comments on MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 34

I am just going to pretend that it is Monday, although clearly I have broken the routine FIRST TIME IN 34 WEEKS by doing this on Tuesday.
My excuse – Bank Holiday and unexpected health issues.

 

The week was something between a recovery and back to work mode… so I packed in dose of culture in one day, predicting that no other days will be suitable.

I had a plan:
TIGER RAGS – THE FABRIC OF HULL CITY AFC

BLEACHED BY TANIA KOVATS

THE DINOSAUR EXPERIENCE HULL @DINOSTAR

THE HOUSE OF KINGS AND QUEENS

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When heading to the TIGER RAGS – THE FABRIC OF HULL CITY AFC display, I was pretty clueless that it will be about the famous Hull City. Which easily proves that I am not in the game at all.

For me the display perhaps didn’t mean the same as it would to true fans and believers, but I felt a bit of a legacy when entering a room. There was a family that looked at the whole history of the Hull City kits and memorabilia, watched the video about the players and I recognised the importance of the little exhibition in the most bizarre place.

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BLEACHED BY TANIA KOVATS as part of the day came on my way to Humber Street. The building, its location and potential to amaze me was present when approaching.

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Without making things up – genuinely one of my favourite culture visits in the recent weeks. There is no photo proof, but I had two guys helping me to soak the culture, we talked and chit-chatted, criticized and praised the work of Tania Kovats. Complete strangers, but the culture brought us together for those 15 important minutes. And the story behind their visit – old friends, both retired, now living in different areas, come together to see the culture and have a lunch/brunch/coffee/pint every now and then. How cool is that? This is why this year has changed things around, this is why everyone can find something beneficial about Hull 2017.

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Sculptures exploring the beauty of coral and its fragile position in the world’s ecosystem, was something that we evaluated as potentially upsetting – if beneath the white coat was real coral, we could not accept the sacrifices made to create the art.
Off course it turned out that The Deep was able to save a large quantity of modal (artificial) coral after refurbishment for Tania to work with, so the artist used representation to raise awareness of what could potentially happen with the corals if the humans don’t start to think environmentally friendly.

It remains stunning sculpture with exceptional amount of fine detail that I had the pleasure to view.

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The sculptures Ocean Bowls are just as stunning as the corals. And mystery at first glance. I thought that each metal piece has been saved from a different ocean and we see the different effects that it had created. But NO, under each piece was a great idea hidden for us to find…

Each piece has been cut out as Planet Earth, metal part being ocean and cut outs being land. So if pieced together it will create a planet that we know so far.

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As before – it was so interesting to puzzle this mystery with strangers that become your friends for the moment and find Great Britain, Philippines, Baltics or Mexico.

There was a third art display – a bit of paint on paper that we called to be a fish planet – because so many things are to do with water, sea, river.

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After the amazing experience I walked into almost electric skyline overlooking Hull Town and was in a good mood – being busy even with photo-jobs can sometimes be difficult, because there is no real freedom. However the culture photo challenge gives me the freedom, so something to celebrate.

And then it was spoiled – by Dinostar – The Dinosaur Experience Hull.
I am really sorry, but I was very shocked when I noticed the price for entry -not a symbolic £1 but £3 for an adult. And to make it worse, finishing my tour I felt like that was my worst £3 spent for an entry to culture.
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It turned to be funny – this place has always been on my sight, interested of what is hidden inside the building. Every time I walked past there, it was closed, so to finally get in should’ve made my day.
The whole thing is ridiculously outdated and 90’s entertainment. Even for children in our generation this must feel like a joke.
But then – I have seen some spectacular exhibitions and art spaces, so the stacks are high.

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I came out with my hands stamped with blurred dinosaurs and a conclusion – Dinostar need to apply for a funding and re-do the place, because the idea behind it is great and keeps the world of the mystery and wonderful alive for the kids.

Whilst heading to THE HOUSE OF KINGS AND QUEENS I bumped into something really cool – Building Block Hack!

The workshop run by artist and FORMCard founder Peter Marigold is part of the States Of Play Workshops – the incredible exhibition that I visited few weeks ago [see the photos here: MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 29]

In short – kids and grownups playing with Lego’s and bits of melted plastic creating monsters, hero’s, unicorns and random bits.

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The last one of the day was THE HOUSE OF KINGS AND QUEENS.

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First impression – stunning display and beautiful photographs covering a content that surprisingly remains taboo amongst society [noticed that when hanging about near the entrance – parents by accident brought kids thinking that it is the States Of Play exhibition and rushed out as soon as realised that the story behind the heartfelt photographs is transgender].

But I loved it. I truly did. First of all  the photographer Lee Price has done an amazing job with storytelling through photographs, curating the notes underneath the photographs. Secondly – the context is easy to relate to. You don’t have to be transgender or gay to not feel free in today’s world. There are so many other reasons why people feel like that. I found it touching and really encourages me to be more open mined.

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Also seeing this exhibition I really need to find out more about Sierra Leone and its relationship with Hull. It has popped up before in my culture wonders, or event at Uni. Now it is time to find out more, so a little homework for coming weeks.

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This exhibition is 10/10. Thank you for the viewing and observing experience.

 

 

THIS WEEK IS THE FREEDOM FESTIVAL 10th ANNIVERSARY AND I AM SO EXCITED TO WORK WITH FREEDOM FESTIVAL THIS YEAR.

I might have a bit of none Freedom Festival culture for you – THE HESSLE ROADERS

but we’ll see.

HAPPY CULTURE PEOPLE

Hull City Of Culture 2017

MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 33

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LATE SUNDAY AND I AM DETERMINED TO QUICKLY DELIVER SOME CULTURE -WEEK 33

FASHION & FREEDOM – IN PARTNERSHIP WITH 14-18 NOW by Freedom Festival Arts trust

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One of the most radical changes during the war was the huge change in women’s lives. With the men away fighting, more than one million women went to work for the first time. These new responsibilities led to a new look, and a century later, this era has inspired Fashion & Freedom, an ambitious, multi-faceted exhibition that examines the fashion legacy of the First World War.
Exquisite craftsmanship courtesy of fashion stalwarts Emilia Wickstead, Holly Fulton and Sadie Williams are also on display.
A series of specially commissioned original short films complement the garments, including films by directors from Nick Knight’s award-winning SHOWstudio and Luke Snellin, who wrote and directed First, which reimagines a young woman’s first day as a bus conductor.
Source: Hull 2017

This fashion exhibition is like breath of fresh air in the Princess Quay Shopping Centre and for once the exhibits come together nicely with what people visit the shopping centre.

Most of the dresses are a pleasure for the eye, some are so tempting to be touched and put on.

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The same day I had a look at the new arrival in Princess Quay Shopping Centre
Artist Claire Morgan has created the new artwork, named Elephant in the Room, which highlights Hull’s relationship with the sea and reflects on the environment and sustainability. It has been hand crafted, created from 12,000 fragments of paper and 4,270 individual threads.
It is pretty impressive, but you need to know about it, otherwise it just seems like an early Christmas decoration.

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On Thursday I had a stroll down Hull Marina/Fruit Market/Humber Street in the search for a new arrival – graffiti by Calvin Innes and Spray Creative.

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The graffiti murals liven up the place and I like the ever changing face of the streets. + both artists are pretty cool people too.

The morning was a bit dull and quiet – a different scene from few weeks back at the Humbers Street Sesh back when streets were buzzing with people. Humber Street Gallery had its doors closed and it was soooo quiet.

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AND OFF COURSE I HAD TO SEE THE SOLAR GATE SCULPTURE AT QUEENS GARDENS THAT EVERYONE WENT MAD FOR.

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Solar Gate is the latest addition to a host of new public realm artworks, including Shane Rhodes’ poem The City Speaks which encircles the newly-installed fountains in Queen Victoria Square.

I thought that setting out an artistic gallery from few photographers of the giant being installed was pretty rushed and even when I visited it did not looked finished. Patience, patience people.

I think it looks fantastic, Queens Gardens might be the next hot spot for visitors and well deserved – the park is beautiful.

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THIS WEEK MY CULTURE VENTURES ARE RUSHED – I WAS RUSHED ALL WEEK AND MY HEAD OCCUPIED WITH MAD THINGS.
BUT I AM STILL LOVIN’ MY PHOTO CHALLENGE AND SOON I WILL HAVE SOMETHING NEW TO SHOW OFF.

GET CULTURED AND KEEP CALM

Hull City Of Culture 2017

MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 28

by anetesoodaLeave a Comment on MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – WEEK 28

SUNDAY MORNING OF THE CULTURE WEEK 28 AND HIGH PRODUCTIVITY SO FAR. THIS WEEK HAS BEEN MANIC, BUT I HAVE BEEN ON THE TOP OF THE GAME.

AS I AM LEAVING UK FOR TWO WEEKS, TO DO LIST HAS BEEN LONG, INCLUDING GETTING SOME CULTURE.

THIS WEEK I HAVE TWO HIGHLIGHTS:

Ground Gallery since the first visit few weeks ago when I visited PEACE PARTY is on my culture map. I subscribed to their mailing list and that is how I found out about the LIFE PICTURES by artist KAUSAR from Afghanistan.
It was important to visit the exhibition this week, as it will be closed by the time I come back. Tight schedule forced me to take my chances that it will be open. It was closed when I arrived and I desperately started taking photos through the window [as you do].
GROUND GALLERY Opening Times

Before leaving I thought that the good old knocking might change the situation around and IT DID. I was invited for a quick view and it mainly happened cos the gallery owner recognised my face.
LIFE IN PICTURES BY KAUSAR @GROUND GALLERYGROUND GALLERY HULLLIFE IN PICTURES BY KAUSAR @GROUND GALLERY DRAWINGSLIFE IN PICTURES BY KAUSAR @GROUND GALLERY DRAWINGS 2

The drawings represent artist life back in Afghanistan and his new home in Hull. The artwork contains a lot of monsters and creatures, so I recon that the artist had struggles and the journey was not an easy one. Like many others, he might have struggled to integrate and find his sense of belonging.
Overall the gallery is as mentioned few weeks ago full of character and that enhances the work on the walls. Beautiful.
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The same day I went down to Princess Avenue to visit Artlink Hull.

I was not sure if the previous exhibition that I wanted to see was still on, but I also thought that there must be something on anyways.

I dare to say – one of the best photographic exhibitions I’ve seen since Martin Parr @Hepworth Wakefield couple of years ago.

Visible Girls: Revisited by Anita Corbin

VISIBLE GIRLS: REVISITED by ANITA CORBIN panorama

The exhibition brings together original images of women from different subcultures of the early 1980’s and newly commissioned portraits of the same women now. In 1981 Corbin made 28 double portraits of young women. They were from different cultural groups: skins, mods, punks, rockabillies, new romantics, rastas and young lesbians. She was fascinated by the ways in which cultural allegiance and identity were boldly and explicitly expressed through fashion, music and environment by women emerging from adolescence.

Source: Hull City Of Culture Website

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The era when photographs were taken matches with the one Martin Parr and his photographic journeys took place – Margaret Thatcher and the times when the social confusion was a present. Or everyone turned into a rebel in some way. Interesting time for controversial photographs dealing with the life.

So I recon that is the reason why I was so positively charged with this exhibition. In so many ways it is one of the most beautiful ways how to preserve life and style that is way gone, but remains important for new generations to know about. It makes sense to me.
VISIBLE GIRLS: REVISITED by ANITA CORBIN wide angleVISIBLE GIRLS: REVISITED by ANITA CORBINVISIBLE GIRLS: REVISITED by ANITA CORBIN phone and the photobookVISIBLE GIRLS: REVISITED by ANITA CORBINVISIBLE GIRLS: REVISITED by ANITA CORBIN close up with one of the photographs

Photographs reveal timeless beauty of the way world used to be. There is a sense of freedom. The way Anita Corbin worked is also something that rarely happens these days insta-shots with Polaroid focusing on the first time success.

Another fascinating aspect is that Corbin tracked down women photographed to take the photograph once more, many years later – she actually reunited some friends that haven’t seen each other in twenty years.

VISIBLE GIRLS: REVISITED by ANITA CORBIN friends reunited photograph

My personal friendship experience relates to this as my best friends live in Latvia and I see them once a year.

There is also an amazing merchandise available, including a book that I really need to get before the exhibition finishes.

Artlink Hull VGR SHOP

SO YEAHHHH, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TO EVERYONE.
BIG SHOUT OUT TO Artlink Hull STAFF FOR BEING SO FANTASTIC AND OFF COURSE BIG HONOURS TO HOST AN EXHIBITION OF THIS KIND.

 

MY WORK HERE IS DONE FOR THIS WEEK AND I AM VERY EXCITED TO GO HOME [TUESDAY]. TOMORROW I MIGHT DO SOME CULTURE FOR THE WEEK 29 AND 30, SO KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR NEXT TWO WEEKS.

I CANNOT BELIEVE I WILL BE AWAY FROM THE CULTURE AND EVEN MORE I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT I CARE SO MUCH. hah.

HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEK MONKEYS!!!!

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WEEKLY REFLECTION #36

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FINISH LINE
PREPARING AND HANGING PRINTS FOR LASTING IMPRESSIONS EXHIBITION @DEGREE SHOW

The final steps in to finishing this course – prepare and organise the exhibition.

The group really showed the commitment and team spirit and we all arrived to unwrap the prints and start measuring,  gluing split batons and getting images down to the exhibition space.

We did all the work over the course of two/three days. Teachers and the group did all the hard work. We had to measure the backs and draw the lines for the split batons, etch both – the print and the batons, so that the glue can seal in better and attach the batons to the print. Then we had to let them dry for 24 hrs.
As we previously tested everything, the work was efficient and fairly quick.

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Other job was to attach the batons to the wall, also measuring the correct height. That was more of a job for our male teachers as no one was trusted with the drill ha.
We also had to paint few bits of wall.

As all the preparation was done few days later, all we had to do was to hook the prints,  settle the table and postcards, description cards [see below] and place the video into the TV.

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These were created based on a one story about the group and the BA (Hons) Photography course and individual information about each student/photographer and their project.

 

We we all ready and excited.

Thank you to the group, we all done well, it’s been good three years.

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From left: Natalie Hill, Gina Watts, Laura Senior, Alison Robison, me, Erin Ridsdale. Aimee is missing in the picture, but she’s been part of the group since the beginning.