Southend Art School 1965

I've probably put this photo on here before but no harm in seeing it again. It reminds me of a great time back in the 60's ( from 1963-67) when things were a lot different to what they are now. It may not look much ( this is the back entrance ) but it was a place of great creativity, freedom and friendship. That half finished block in the distance is a portent of things to come - when Southendd would become a dull grey town trying to throw off the trappings of the lively East End holiday destination and become a second rate business centre. Much of it has gone now but still have fond memories of the Garon's arcade, Garon's cinema (so many cinemas!) Keddies department store, Peter Pan's Playground, The Golden Hind, the waxworks with rats on wires, Woolworths and British Home Stores etc. etc. Not to mention all the junk shops and arcades. In 1967 the old art school was bulldozed to make way for a roundabout and road system and new block was built nearby which soon became redundant.

Blakemere Boot

Surprised to see so many at the boot sale at Blakemere this morning despite the rain showers. The sun shone whilst we were there and the heavens opened as we left - good timing! Got a few bargains including games for 50p and great Leon Redbone CD for a quid. Hazel got a few weird gadgets, coronation mugs, a crystal ball and some lead figures and objects. Went in the antique emporium afterwards and had a look round but not bargains to be found. hazel was intrigued by a strange implement for counting something or other and drew a quick sketch of it in her notebook as she didn't think it was worth £14. Also popped into the garden centre for a tons of violas. No poets to be seen anywhere.

Liverpool Biennale

Always a treat to go into Liverpool by train ( just 30 mins. from Hartford station ) and see the Biennale. Previous years have been more exciting but still some interesting work on show in various venues spread widely around the city. First we trekked over to the huge Cain's brewery complex, an old red brick Victorian edifice to the South- through some of the bleakest industrial streets and grim housing estates. Amongst all this decay are pockets of trendiness like the eatery we popped into to find a snack. All on offer were plastic containers of expensive salads with two prawns or a soup made of bacon and black pudding - yuk! It was packed out with hip young things - gawd nose where they came from as the grey dismal streets outside were empty! Anyway, I digress, the Cain's brewery was a shambles and the art on show was 6th form and foundation level at best. Some interesting videos by Ramin Haerizadeh and Co. raised the standard a little. Hazel borrowed a tablet to follow a virtual dog guide around the exhibition that vanished after metamorphing into a bunch of daffs ( or was it onions?) . Then to the nearby Blade factory and a terrible racket by Mark Leckey based on his youth around Liverpool and the music scene back in the 80's - we stuck 5 mins of the video and sound system and left to find some lunch. Which we found in the Bluecoat, and very nice it was too. We sat outside in the gardens and listened to a busker warbling plaintively in the next street, singing a song of unrequited art. Then around the Bluecoat and the patchy Young Contemporaries. Some amusing video works but most of the painting s and sculptures left me cold. Lastly the FACT gallery and some intriguing work by the American Krzysztof Wodiczko - work about homelessness, machines and gadgets to aid homeless people in their survival and communication.

Marbury

Pleasant walk in Marbury this morning with Hazel and Archie. Quiet - just a few people with dogs, some twitchers looking for the illusive flying wig wobbler. Here they are frozen in their tracks as they spot a ooslum bird in a nearby tree. The ducks were particularly manic - hoovering up some crumbs some toddlers had dropped on the lakeside. We sat on the moss green bench to marvel at the one legged display of snoring. One flappy duck was contorting itself into strange shapes, its bill penetrating deep layers of feathers and fluff. Hazel said she was scared of feathers when she was little and had to be persuaded that they weren't alive. Also the story aboutthe digger monsters at the bottom of the garden. Her Dad had to take her down to the bottom of the garden to show her the diggers were just mechanical objects driven by workmen who came over to re-assure her. What a sensitive child eh?