Sweden 2012

I have recently returned from Sweden. While I was there I went to the fantastic Photographic Museum Fotografiska situated around the waterfront with views over the old city (Gamla Stan) and the famous amusement park Grona Lund - closed at the time of my visit for the winter. One of the Swedish photographers that I really admire is Lennart Nilsson. I have seen his work exhibited in many locations - his exhibition A Child is Born was the first exhibit at the opening of Fotografiska in 2010. Really remarkable images of pre-life. Also remarkable are some of his earlier images at the very moment of birth and the vocal chords of an opera singer.

2LO Calling

90 years ago today, on 14 November 1922, The first official BBC radio broadcast was the evening news transmitted by London station 2LO from Marconi House studios on the Strand, Central London. The voice was that of the Programme Director Arthur Burrows.  '2LO' was the reference of the radio broadcasting license issued by the Post Office. The 1.5kW medium wave transmitter was built by the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company and situated at the top of Marconi House.

Radio is a very powerful medium associated of course with Dylan Thomas. One thinks of his broadcasts for this medium of his works and his play for voices 'Under Milk Wood' and it is hard to think of a voice more suited to this medium than that of Richard Burton, First Voice in the 1953 BBC radio production.

It was quite fitting to spend this evening at No 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, Dylan's birthplace, listening to local poet and writer, Emily Hinshelwood, read from her new poetry collection 'On Becoming a Fish' published by Seren. The book can be ordered online from Seren on this link. No 5 Cwmdonkin Drive is highly recommended for a visit if you are in Swansea. A number of other poets and artists were also present in Dylan's front room and we had a wide-ranging and interesting discussion about a number of topics which  makes one realise the value of collaboration in art, the power of words and the importance of allowing time for a listener to think and take in the real meaning of words. Hopefully some follow up visits and chats over coffee will happen soon in my studio. I always like to have visitors and an opportunity to make a cuppa! 

Diwali

This is how #India looks like from outer space on Diwali Night. Happy Diwali to entire world. Wish you brightness. Pic twitter.com/MindbIowingFac…

— Mindblowing Facts (@MindbIowingFact) November 12, 2012

Early frost

 

Driving home from Somerset yesterday, where we'd been to visit my mum who is in a Nursing Home near Somerton and Langport, I was conscious that the salt spreaders were out on some of the roads we passed along. A sign of early frost and the crisp mist in the air that often accompanies it on level ground. On the early part of our journey we drove along narrow lanes in East Somerset and then crossed the Somerset Levels. It reminded me of a visit we made to Brecon Beacons a few years ago at New Year where the bushes and undergrowth were frozen almost as if someone had walked past with a giant spray can of frost. It's a different quality to snow completely and the other feature of this type of weather is that the air also has the feeling of frostiness which you don't really get with snowfall. The photo is one I took of a hedgerow on the Beacons near the Visitor Centre which I may say made a very tasty cawl on the day we were there.



Left Bank Leeds ADVENTurous 2012

Long time no post. It's always very exciting to be selected for a Group Show in an open competition. I've got some work in a show organised by Engedi Arts and opening at a venue in Leeds called Left Bank Leeds.The organisers have interviewed me and the contents have gone into their event blog. The show opens on December 2nd - I'm getting work together now. The interview I did with Left Bank can be found here. I don't find it the easiest thing to explain all aspects of my work - sometimes there is no obvious connection between different pieces. I prefer to let the work speak for itself and I enjoy hearing other people's views. A photograph is a piece of our memory and it is always good to have our memories come to life. Memory though does not always equal Reality. For anyone with internet access, I'm also being interwied on the Radio Tircoed Arts Programme with Debbie Evans on Friday November 30th.

Commensalism

Definition


noun, plural: commensalisms


A form of symbiosis between two organisms of different species in which one of them benefits from the association whereas the other is largely unaffected or not significantly harmed or benefiting from the relationship.

I'm working with a group of other artists and we're exhibiting from July 9-15 2012 in Walcot Chapel, Walcot Street, Bath. We've called the exhibition 'Commensalis' and you can find out more details on our website www.commensalis.com

On The Road

I've made a new audio visual piece for Engedi Arts Easter Story Exhibition which opens at the former Imperial Hotel, Colwyn Bay on Friday March 30 at 7pm. Let me know what you think!

On The Road - A Journey in Fragments from Rhys Jones on Vimeo.