Saturday 19 October 2013

Late Summer/early Autumn
















These are some shots taken with my Contax T2. I haven't been using it quite as much lately, but I finally got chance to use the last few shots I had left this week so I could get the film developed. I'll be posting some more photos from Victoria baths very soon, and I'm also going to start sharing more than just my photography over the coming weeks too.

On a random note: if you like Dieter Rams check this site out they sell an amazing selection of his  designs for Braun and Vitsoe between 1955 and 1995.

Monday 7 October 2013

Victoria baths part one





























Victoria baths were designed by architect Henry Price and opened to the public in 1906. The baths were described as a "water palace" and you can see why, the building features fine terracotta, tiles, mosaic floors and stained glass windows. I was completely blown away by the amazing bold colours, patterns, textures and build quality. Could you imagine how brilliant it would be to go for a relaxing bath surrounded by this decor? Sadly after 87 years the baths closed in 1993, despite protests from the local community. The council then announced that they were planning on demolishing the building! This understandably caused an upset amongst a lot of people, shortly after the friends of Victoria baths got involved and the building featured on the BBC's 'Restoration" programme and was awarded £3.5 million towards the restoration work needed. Work began in 2007 and thankfully the baths are now open to the public at select times throughout the year for tours as well as events, such as vintage fairs, photography classes, artist installations and cinema screenings. All these events are used to help fund the continuing restoration work that is still needed to allow the baths to eventually open to the public again as a working water palace. For more info have a look at the website.


Saturday 21 September 2013

MOSI Science and Industry Museum





















I thought I'd share some photos taken at the MOSI museum earlier this week. I was taken back by how visually arresting the machinery to harness the power of steam are, the many interesting shapes, angles and colours there are to the intricate components used. The materials used looked to have been chosen not just for quality and purpose, but also to be aesthetically pleasing too. However, that could just be me and my love of copper and brass. If only we used steam as much today, there's something I love about the physicality of a steam train. Oh! And the whistle.


Thursday 12 September 2013

The Biospheric Project










I finally managed to find the time to go for a tour of the Biospheric Project in Salford on Sunday. I had read a lot about urban agriculture and had seen many videos on Vimeo, I was really fascinated and inspired by what I saw. So much so that I started to research lots of different food systems that are used in urban agriculture, as well as disused buildings/land in Manchester city centre and different types of funding. Whilst researching I stumbled upon the Biospheric Project, that would be part of this years Manchester International Festival. I was very pleased to see that somebody was already working on this in Manchester. In many respects this city is still stuck in the industrial era, but there has been a huge progression in the food industry over the past year. Simon Rogan has taken over the The French in the Midland hotel and is due to open Mr Cooper's House and Garden today, which is also in the Midland. Simon is also growing a few herbs and leaf crops on the roof of the hotel as well as owning his own farm in the Lake District which supplies his restaurants. Manchester Veg People have started to supply many of the city centre's cafés and restaurants with locally grown organic fruit and veg. People are really starting to care about where their food has come from, if it's been treated with chemicals and how much it costs. This is what I feel makes something like the Biospheric Project so relevant and important. I won't go into the background of the project or the different food systems they have set up because I could easily fill two pages. Have a look at their website to find out more, I'd recommend booking a tour and visiting their shop 78 Steps. It's great to see something that you only tend to see happening in major world cities being done in Manchester, I hope that this city will continue to develop and innovate. I will make another trip to take more photos, just as I got my camera out the sun disappeared so the light wasn't the best.

Wednesday 11 September 2013

John Ryland library


























       




It has been raining relentlessly today, but I was itching to get out and take some photos. I  love the John Ryland library and haven't photographed it since I got into shooting film, so I decided I'd go and spend a few hours there. walking around any place with a camera makes you stop and look at everything differently and spot things that you otherwise wouldn't have, I really enjoyed this visit for exactly those reasons. I will be trying to post more regularily over the coming months.