Walking the City of London

Author: The City Gent Page 10 of 150

Mudlarking, a canal walk, local wildlife and other miscellany.

One of the delights of the City of London is that every now and then something pops up unexpectedly, and last Sunday it was this …

It was a wonderful exhibition with mudlarkers displaying their finds and all happy to chat …

It was only on for two days, so is finished now, but if you want to keep up to date with what is happeneing in the mudlarking world, I suggest you follow Jason Sandy on Instagram or Gail Howell @find_it_pick_it_up

Remember that the London Museum Docklands is still hosting its Mudlarking-themed Secrets of the Thames exhibition. Highly recommended.

A few weeks ago found me walking along the Regent’s Canal where it runs through Mile End Park. These are a few of the sights I saw along the way.

A happily decorated barge …

Three intriguing steel sculptures…

On the left is Sylvia Pankhurst (1882 – 1960), a leading member of the suffragette movement, who worked tirelessly to improve living conditions in the East End. On the right is Ledley King (born 1980). He grew up in the heart of East London and went on to play with Spurs and represent England at the World Cup …

A Towpath Horse …

Horses were essential to pull boats along the canal and bring trade and business to the area.

If the canal ever gets blocked up, a giant plunger is available for use …

I am baffled by what appears to be an anteater in the background …

The canal runs along the edge of Victoria Park or Vicky Park/the People’s Park as it is known by locals. The Chinese Pagoda is actually a replica of one that started life at the entrance to the Chinese exhibition in Hyde Park in 1842 and was then purchased for Victoria Park …

Emerging from the still water, Romanian artist Erno Bartha’s eye-catching hay sculptures have towered the West Lake in Victoria Park for almost ten years …

You can read more about them here.

Nothing like a fleet of waterfowl to cheer you up …

Back in the City, walking along London Wall, this lady doesn’t know what’s lurking in the foliage nearby …

A glimpse of a furry tail …

Here’s the culprit …

Darting back home to the garden at Salters’ Hall …

Seasonal change happening in the leaves …

City dweller surveying his domain …

Lady blackbird says hello …

Skies can be very attractive this time of year …

And finally, the Silk Street flower beds have been cleared for new planting by the wonderful City gardeners …

…and they started work on Monday …

I’ll be tracking growth throughout the next year.

If you would like to follow me on Instagram here is the link …

https://www.instagram.com/london_city_gent

Two sets of photographic treats at the Barbican Library.

One exhibition showcases rare behind-the-scenes photographs of fantastic US rock band Blondie. The free display at the Barbican Music Library features 50 images taken in New York during the group’s breakthrough year in 1978, when they released their best-known album, Parallel Lines.

The photographs were taken by music photographer Martyn Goddard, who documented the band in concert, backstage, in the studio and during photo shoots. He said: “When I boarded the plane in May 1978 to photograph Blondie’s lead singer, Debbie Harry, in New York, I could not have conceived that there would still be a demand for my images over 45 years later”.

Mr Goddard described the exhibition as a visual snapshot of a key moment in Blondie’s history, capturing the band’s “energy, rawness, and style”.

“Those assignments produced a body of work that resulted in magazine cover stories, album and single covers, tour programmes, posters, a book, and two photo exhibitions.”

Here’s a selection.

Lots of memorabilia too …

Upstairs in the main library is another treat, work by the City of London and Cripplegate Photographic Society

Here’s a small selection …

Well worth a visit.

Finally, I couldn’t resist posting this picture of a cute dog!

… along with this important message from Beak&Squeak

If you would like to follow me on Instagram here is the link …

https://www.instagram.com/london_city_gent

Dirty Looks at the Barbican – Desire and Decay in Fashion.

After visiting the gripping Mona Hatoum + Giacometti exhibition a few weeks ago I have just visited another extraordinary Barbican event. Called Dirty Looks, ‘it explores how dirt and decay have been used to defy beauty standards, and why it’s going through a resurgence in young designers’ work. As a counterpoint to glossy digital perfection, these artistic practices point us to a new way of thinking about a sustainable fashion future.’ 

There is lots to see and incredibly detailed signage along with a really useful free guide book. So I shall just be sharing images with you so, hopefully, you can get a sense of the show and maybe feel inspired to visit – I strongly recommend it.

You know you’re in for an unusual time when, in the first installation, you encounter the late Queen Elizabeth’s pristine wellies …

… along with Kate Moss’s muddy ones …

Before looking at my images, you might find it helpful to read a few of the reviews. This one is from The Guardian and this from The Standard.

Ma Ke: The Earth

Hussein Chalayan: Future Archaeology 1993 -2002

Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood: Nostalgia of Mud. Autumn/Winter 1983 …

Alexander McQueen: Highland Rape Autumn/Winter 1995 …

Jean Paul Gaultier: Autumn/Winter 2004 …

Items from John Galliano’s 2024 Artisanal collection for Mison Margiela …

Stains as Ornament …

13. Robert Wun: The Wine Stain Gown, Fear. Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2023

14. Hamish Morrow: From Function to Decoration. Spring/Summer 2002

Phoebe English and Helen Bullock

Glittering debris …

Leaky Bodies …

7. Di Petsa: My Body is a Labyrinth Spring/Summer 2025

8. Louis Gabriel Nouchi Spring/Summer 2023

Some more images from the exhibition …

Fascinating, fun and occasionaly shocking – what more could one ask for.

I couldn’t help but wonder, however, what the late Queen would have made of her wellies being part of this.

If you would like to follow me on Instagram here is the link …

https://www.instagram.com/london_city_gent

Page 10 of 150

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