canal 2012

Superheavy to warm up for Olympics in Exeter flood overflow area?

2011-12-07T09:10:00.000-08:00

Somehow there is rumour that Superheavy are to perform for the Olympics.

Why not in Exeter instead? It could be a good spot for a test run. This blog is mostly about canals but there is also in Exeter a flood prevention scheme that allows plenty of space. Other spots are available, similar to the Hackney Marshes in some ways. Photos show how it might look.

Even more likley would be a visit to Mama Stones by Raphael Saadiq. He could be a support act of sorts but may appear as the final act if Mick Jagger needs a rest towards the end of the evening. At a previous event near Exeter Van Morrison chose the afternoon and Nina Simone was followed by the London Community Gospel Choir with endless energy.

Marcel Dinahet includes Exeter canal in a water scape at Phoenix

2011-06-04T02:27:00.000-07:00

Phoenix galleries in Exeter currently feature video from Marcel Dinahet, an artist based in Brittany. He has been a scuba diver and has some specialist cameras so the views often include a proportion of submerged water.

His selection of views around Exeter includes three of the canal but they are displayed on the edges of the galleries. One is so submerged in water that the canal environment is indistinct. Two show the concrete of the overhead motorway. Actually this is a very small section of the canal but perhaps was chosen to conform to the urban stereotype of the canal image.

You have to watch the longer form video of a week journey to get an impression of the canal walk. I have seen the section between Double Locks and the Quay. This is more than fair in showing that canal landscape can be uplifting.

Perhaps Marcel Dinahet could be invited to Manchester / Salford or King's Cross to investigate more of the UK urban canals? He would make his own choices but I think there is enough that could be better known or seen differently.

Flickr photos from Salford and Manchester - new venue possibility

2011-05-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

This set of photos from recent visit to Manchester and Salford. The route may not be the final version but clearly video is possible so this could be the background for a future chat show. Media City will continue after 2012 so could be a better reference than the Olympic site. Also the walk is shorter and easier to describe.

The topics for conversation could include the local universities and attitudes to information technology and critique. Salford University will be part of the Media City site. This is even more of an architecture statement than InfoLab 21 on the Lancaster campus. There is a tech vision with university attached. The chances of academics remaining distanced from tech application are reduced.

My own point will continue to be that the investment in web design and bandwidth should be at least on a scale to balance with new buildings. But the backdrop can be as impressive as available.

Some of the photos are in the wrong order. But comments welcome on captions etc. Please add direct to Flickr.

This blog will revive slightly but may continue on the Posterous will789gb

Starting with a walk in Exeter

2011-02-23T09:37:00.000-08:00

I am beginning to find some interest in Exeter. I think i will start withy the walk from Exeter Quay towards the Olympic site and then the walk back again. Actually only about as far as Double Locks. But far enough to work out the issues for a conversation.

Photos from near the Olympic site

2011-02-23T09:35:00.001-08:00

Photos from Hackney and near the site of the Olympics. There is already an interesting walk from Victoria Park to Hackney Marshes or in various directions.

Now some video

2009-04-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

Couple of video clips, eventually for a composite

Link to WiFiExeter

2009-04-08T07:01:00.000-07:00

Post on WifiExeter shows Brother Pollard on a plinth.

Checking the rules of the Olympic Art Challenge it is allowed to send photos with the proposal so this will be one of them.

aim of blog

2009-04-03T01:51:00.000-07:00

Culture hangs on sport in the UK for the next few years at least. There is a possible budget for grander schemes but this blog will continue anyway. Eventually there will be a video or series of videos based on conversation during a walk along a canal. Apparently the walk is from just east of Islington Green around Victoria Park to arrive at the Olympics site. Conversation to include all the values and issues in the spec as well as what we think about the sponsors.

Actually the recording can be on any canal in the UK or near Bruges for example if there is a budget. Well tended rivers may qualify. Most people have no idea what the actual canal is like.