The Commonwealth games are coming to Birmingham and the City council has gone overboard to make sure that the streets and roads are looking their very best. There are new pieces of artwork, refurbishing of old artwork and the enhancement of buildings. All guaranteed to make a Brummie proud. The following pictures provide a flavour of what is taking place across the City. Birmingham is making a statement to the Commonwealth and the World that it is a vibrant and exciting place to visit.
Perry, the mascot, is following the tramsOur young people are the future of Birmingham.Chamberlain Square coloursColours are everywhere…..and everywhere you look there are giant posters.The best way to get around is by foot or by bike.Taking a walk through the colours is fun.You can even Cycle through the Commonwealth What would our forefathers thought of all this?Bollards with the Be Bold colours.The runnerInterviewsPerryRainbow StepsPut a poster upA city transformedThe BullringThe countdown clock
Lots of pictures around the city and it has been so exciting to see it all. I just hope this leaves a lasting legacy on the City of Birmingham. John Bray of the BBC has put together a wonderful set of images of Birmingham and his photography is excellent. Commonwealth Games: Bright colours transform Birmingham landmarks – BBC
The Council House, Queen Victoria, 103 Colmore Row, Iron:Man and a Seagull
Amongst all the excitement along the colourful streets of Birmingham, there is another success story of the city taking place during the Commonwealth Games. Wandering over to Oozells square and there is a public art display that has the power to match the other artistic events that are taking place. The IKON gallery features an exhibition of the work of three artists: Yhonnie Scarce, Salote Tawale and Osman Yousefzada. The work is diverse yet integrated and visual. They come together on subjects that cover different themes. Having my camera with me was a real bonus as each art installation offers opportunities for picture taking. The exhibits are on the first floor and all three have the necessary space which allows you to appreciate them. The first room I entered contained The Need Breeder (2002) by Australian Aboriginal Artist, Yhonnie Scarce. Suspended from the ceiling were 600 glass droplets each having different shades of opacity. The installation was mesmerising with the light falling on the different shapes allowing a range of interpretations. What they represent is the crystallisation of the Australia desert following British Nuclear tests in the fifties. Together the glass droplets represent a nuclear explosion. Each droplet represents the death from nuclear tests. Powerful, moving and relevant in this present political climate.
The overall powerful view of the art work.
Details of the glass dropletsThe glass droplets.The exhibition has individually designed glass droplets.
The next room had three video projections which spanned the room. The film that ran for around 9 minutes was put together by Osman Yousefyaza. Having met Osman at a Moseley Coffee house, I immediately felt a connection. Spaces of Transcendence (2022) is a film that was made in Pakistan and contains powerful moving images of rituals set against a captivating backdrop of the country. There were gestures and facial close ups that pulled me into the story without words. I found the throw of the cloth into the saucers containing colour water fascinating. The main characters in the film absorbed my intention. I can not work out if the film is on a loop as there was no introduction or end just a complete immersion in the imagery. I loved it.
Mixture of architecture and human shape.Hand gestures and colours.
It was nearly closing time at the IKON when I came into the room with the instillation by Salote Tamale called YOU, ME, ME, YOU. There were three TV screens as distinct to Osman’s work which was projected on much larger screens. A continuous video was playing that darted from one theme to another. There were underwater pictures and then scenes in a tropical jungle. It was a different but refreshing approach to the presentation by Osman in the previous room. Slowly my eyes took notice of the decoration of the room and the recurring pattern. After a while it was this that started to demand my attention. The repeating colourful pattern needed to be photographed as you will see.
The TV monitors contrast with the vibrant background.Love those patterns!
The exhibition was excellent and I felt a sense of calm coming away from the IKON Gallery. The exhibition coincides the Birmingham 2022 games and there will be many people arriving into Birmingham from different places and cultures. The work of these three artists starts to unravel and re-ravel the different interactions of people around the world. Birmingham is privileged to be able to host this unique display of art at the IKON gallery.
My pictures of these artists work provide a simple snapshot of this moving visit and there is more information about each artist on the web.
There is a “key to the city Brum” that unlocks doors around Birmingham. What a great idea. Such doors give the entry to special places. Ones that you could only open with a special key. Intriguing. I always loved a good treasure hunt but how do I get access to one of these fabled keys? The project caught the imagination of the people of Birmingham and social media was rife with the #keytothecitybrum hashtag.
Key to the City Brum 2022 passport box.
When the launch took place in Grand Central on a Monday morning in June, I jumped in the car and made my way to New Street station, Birmingham. I arrived just when the launch was taking place with all the media and other important people talking about the keys. I even got a glimpse of the artist Paul Ramírez Jonas who came up with the concept. The project had previously taken place in New York city and was now being launched in Birmingham as part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival taking place prior to the Commonwealth Games.
The reception desk at New Street StationSarah from the Birmingham 2022 festival who signed the pledge with me.Me and my key!
I was near to the front of the queue to receive my key and got talking to people around me. The picture shows Sophie who works for the Birmingham 2022 festival committee. They were instrumental in bringing ‘Keys to the City’ to Birmingham. Sophie is pictured in New Street Station holding up the pledge that we had to read and then sign before getting our ‘Keys’. To sign our pledge, there had to be two people signing it together on a table. Sophie kindly buddied up with me so that we could correctly enact the ceremony and then collect the key. Thanks to Sophie for allowing me to take her photograph. The key came in a presentation box with a leaflet in the form of a passport. All the doors were listed with maps and instructions on how to get to them. One of the helpers then asked me to put a sticker on the map of Birmingham postcodes. This is to show everyone where all the key holders liven around Birmingham. The story of the places I visit will be photographed in the following weeks. I did write up the first few places and posted my pictures on Instagram. However, people want the opening of the doors to be a surprise so I will release my journey after the 7th August when it ends. Until then this is the first place that I visited to give a flavour of what you encounter with your key.
My first lock venue that I visited was Artfull Expression which is on Warstone Lane in the Jewellery Quarter. My key opened the contents of the cabinet which held items used in the manufacture of jewellery.
David, Artfull ExpressionThe Yale lock on the cabinetThe booklet with venue description Opening the lockDavid explaining a watch mechanism.The jewellery making cabinet displayHere goes as I open the doorArtfull Expression, JQ
David is the owner of Artfull Expression. His premises are one of the venues of the ‘Key to the City Brum’ event organised by the Birmingham 2022 festival. When I arrived, I was warmly met by David who explained the downstairs studio was not open due to unforeseen circumstances. He directed me to a locked cabinet that they had prepared. My ‘Key to the city’ fitted the Yale lock on the cabinet. I freed a metal rod that once removed allowed the cabinet to be opened. Inside was a description of jewellery making. David enthusiastically explained the manufacturing process to me. Also, I learnt that David is one of the Guardians of the Birmingham Assay Office. He also told me how Birmingham obtained the anchor hallmark on its jewellery. Apparently, Matthew Boulton, the 18th century industrialist, won the right on the toss of a coin in a London pub. Sheffield was the loser and was given a castle logo which they changed to a rose. David has expertise in jewellery design and Sandy will be returning to have some jewellery redesigned by him. This was a fascinating visit and the first lock opened in my Keys to the City journey.
If you want to know more then visit David at the website for Artfull Expression
Selfridges is always on my list as a building to photograph. It has featured in many of my picture books over the years. I have even written a blog about the building which includes several of my pictures. The building is striking with the discs spread over an amorphous design. I love the building and it has come to be one of the iconic images of the City. I also like shopping in the store as the interior design is appealing but that is another story. If you want to know more, there are several good sources of information about the design and history of the architectural design.
Sunset fire over Selfridges and look closely some discs are missingMissing disc highlighted by the sunrise
In 2020, problems with the attachment of the discs to the building began to surface and this is evident in my pictures. A decision was made by Selfridges to undertake the refurbishment and replacement of all the discs on the building. There are 15,000 discs and it will take some time to replace them. The original makers of the discs no longer exist and new constructors were required. The story may be followed up in the news media when in November 2020, the official reports of the replacement began.
The Scaffolding going up followed by the Infinity pattern 1
The Infinity pattern 1 will protect the workers replacing the discs
The canvas covers all of the building
It was during Lockdown #2 that scaffolding began to go up around the store. So as to protect the construction workers and the scaffolding, an eye-catching temporary skin has been put in place. The striking art structure is called “Infinity pattern 1” and is designed by Birmingham born artist and interdisciplinary designer, Osman Yousefzada. It is intended to be a “message of hope” to the people of Birmingham. The design was drawn up in conjunction with the IKON Gallery. The colours are striking and are best viewed in the sunlight which picks up the shades of red. The installation is temporary as the replacement of all the discs will be completed in time for the Commonwealth games in 2022. Therefore whilst it is on view, I encourage you to wander down to Birmingham and see Osman’s creation. The visit will be worthwhile.
Taken from the walkway linking the store to the car park
There is even a walkway underneath where you catch the buses
Contrasts with the work around the City
The fully covered building
These photographs show how Osman’s artwork interacts with the City and the people. The pictures tell the story of the loss of the discs, the placement of the scaffolding and the final structure. There is merchandise in the store that feature the Infinity Pattern 1 on them. The colours and the design pattern lend themselves to pictures and I like the picture with my daughter looking out over Birmingham with the Infinity Pattern 1 behind her.
My daughter looks out over the street below.A favourite Birmingham viewpoint. This time with Osman’s Infinity Pattern 1.
Take me back to Kardamena Greeting card£3.00 – £4.00
Love from Brum Greeting card£3.00 – £4.00
Reach for the sky Postcard£2.50
