BJORK IN PARIS

I went to Paris to see Bjork. Here are some things I saw along the way.

I'ts oh so quiet

All Neon Like.

Alarm Call.

Where is the line.

Oceania.

Hidden Place.

Earth Intruders

Triumph of a heart.

I've seen it all.

Happy Hour.

The Dull Flame of Desire.

One day.

Mutual Core.

Declare Independence.

Play dead.

Venus as a boy.

la Modus.

Blackpool.

SCULPTING WAKEFIELD

I have writer’s block over this one, which in a way is rather appropriate. This building is all about form, if you missed this on the approach, the form branded tea towels will get you in the gift shop. Undoubtedly the building is a response to context, but such a high profile gallery landing on the edge of Wakefield leads to quite an interesting contradistinction. Bleached eyes, induced by the white glare of the galleries inside and the large amount of art borrowed from the Tate could disorientate your mind; but huge square openings allow for views out onto and over the river towards the Chantry chapel placing you, the gallery and Barbara. The gallery is deceptively large and perhaps it’s size is responsible for some of the cheap finishes inside but in a way would it be right to build a spanking new gallery out of solid gold at the moment?  

The collection if fantastic and listening to the general chatter of revellers and combined with the fact there was a queue to get in before it opened the Hepworth will prove a veritable asset in boosting the image and success of Wakey. This is an international gallery with a Yorkshire twang. Go visit, but maybe take a picnic.  

Block off the old Chip

David Chipperfield Hepworth Gallery, Wakefield. 

Barbara Hepworth's maquettes.

Unavoidable clues that you are in West Yorkshire.

HYPERBOLIC PARANOID

Earlier this year I decided for a second reading of the Queensgate market Huddersfield, the first being done as a small boy seeking light marshmellowesque sweets at the pick n’ mix stall. This could be one of Huddersfield’s most underrated buildings, if not for its innovative construction, then for its ability to adored and loathed with equal adamancy. On the particular day I visited the Civic Society had kindly laid on a typically under-funded exhibition explaining just how great each of the 21 concrete shells are. This included some pictures during construction of the making Huddersfield look more L.A - California than L.A - Kirklees. At the risk of sounding Verbose here are the images I managed to snap. 

Here is a postcard of the Huddersfield icon

PERSPECTIVE COLLAGE

The days (or weeks, depending on how optimistic you are) are counting down until the hand in for this year’s project. Although the overall design is constantly being refined, we must think about which drawings are needed and how. Here are a few images experimenting with materials and the key views I’d like to explore to illustrate the main intent and ideas behind the scheme. 

A STIRLING WEEKEND

A month into two thousand and eleven and gears of studio are turning again. The Christmas hangover is long gone, hand ins dealt with (for now) and it is time to get stuck in. Feeling rev’d up I thought an inspirational trip was in order. This began on a typically overcast and perhaps, unusually cold day in Leicester.

The university campus is marked in the skyline of the city by Stirling’s distinctive red tiled engineering building. As it was the weekend the building was closed, so I was left to gawp in from the outside of this unpopulated relic. The lack of people combined with the desolate surroundings, gave an objective impression similar to that of viewing one of Stirling’s axonometric drawings in a textbook. This building defiantly shows it’s age and I’m sure the users will hate it, but from where I was standing the experience was quite thrilling.  I was particularly impressed by the articulation of the entrance and mezzanine levels in giving a human scale to the tower and huge programme. 

Perhaps the one place you're not meant to stand?

No one knows how to party like those engineers. Paper plates and half drunk larger is just soo Postmodern. 

only for thin humans

 The next stop was the Clore gallery at Millbank. I first visited this building when I was even earlier into my architectural career. It was good to see with fresh and slightly better trained eyes. At least I didn’t get stuck in the revolving door this time. The pictures here were quite hastily taken on my camera phone as I perused the fantastic entrance sequence up to the galleries. The entrance itself was quiet, the reception attendant almost seemed surprised at the arrival of a visitor. The Turner galleries, by contrast were as busy as ever and probably more densely packed than the halls of the Tate proper. This does make me wonder how many people actually use and experience entry through the pyramidal ingress. This was a colorful and warming contrast to the previous day’s visit and just as pleasing.

 Old meets new. Waste meets bin.

Turner's Sketchbook