Break away

Over the May bank holiday a chance for me to go away for a few days cropped up. I grabbed the opportunity with both hands and off I went. It came at a good time really, because lately I have been a bit bogged down with being not well, university deadlines and I had started to feel caged in!I longed for the open spaces and that feeling of being free.
The first pace we came to was Machynlleth.
I had never been here before and there were lots of new things for me to take in. After browsing around a few shops we came across a stall outside in the main street which was selling home-made chocolate and cakes. Not being one to resist, I bought a slice of white chocolate cheesecake and after nibbling a few times at the chocolate sample I decided to buy a bar of it which was white chocolate with some kind of nuts in, with a piece of fruit on the top.
We had noticed up one of the side streets a scene that is normally seen in America - the Hollywood sign on a hill - this made me laugh because I was thinking if Hollywood can do it - why can't Wales?

The next thing that caught my attention was something that appealed to the child within me! Although maybe back then I didn't watch much of" Noddy" and his friends on TV I do remember having a cardboard stencil set that I used to use, which strangely enough I still have in my possession! X amount of years on!
When I saw this money collector outside the fish and chip shop, I fell in love with his vibrant colouring and couldn't resist the odd snap!

Once settled in our chosen spot in Fairbourne, I went  a short distance over the sand dunes and onto the beach. 

I couldn't have chosen a better time! The rain had stopped and the sun was setting and bringing Friday to a close. For some of my photos I was lucky enough to get a lonely fisherman in as a silhouette with the sunset behind him.

When trying to sleep, Friday night, it was very cold as where we were was very open. We got battered with the rain and the wind rocked me to sleep. On Saturday morning the decision was made to move somewhere more sheltered for the coming night!!
Once we were parked up we were surprisingly welcomed by pairs of very tame robins which came looking for food from us.

We walked over the wooden bridge which was for walkers and cyclists only, that ran alongside the railway track. The tide had gone out and once again we were exposed to the elements. My coat was fastened tightly with the collar turned up! Mind you this didn't stop the wind getting to my very core! When we got to the other side we passed the closed toll booth.
Wandering through Barmouth in and out of the few shops, we came across a shop selling photo-printed canvases of the area and one in particular caught our attention. We asked how to get to this Panoramic walk and we collected our food supplies before we set off for the walk.
We followed directions to a small lane between the Indian Takeaway and the Pharmacy and we had been warned that it led to a steep walk.
There are steep walks and there are steep walks! personally, after initially getting over the shock and having forgotten my hiking stick the prospect of me getting up this hill,crawling on my hands and knees seemed to be an easier option!
We made our way slowly up the hill, having rest stops every so often. Every time I thought I was at the top - there was further to go! Making the effort was worthwhile as the scenery was picturesque, typical of Wales!

We followed a different track down stopping to take photos at every opportunity and not far from the bottom I could not miss the chance of taking images of chimneys.

Coffee craving got the better of me and a nice little place was found that had the unusual idea of using painted, numbered stones as table order identities. Once I'd had my fix I also had a photo session.

I walked to the junction where to the right of me were benches in a large sitting area. I had noticed already a marble sculpture and had wanted to come back to take some photos. It was unusual because of its shape and I had never seen marble that was corroded by  the sea  before. The name of the statue was "The Last Haul". Apparently Barmouth Council had commissioned a local carver, to celebrate the Millennium. The piece of carrera marble was brought up in the 1980s by divers from an 18th Century shipwreck. 

The cheeky seagulls were entertaining as they eagerly watched the people eating, hoping for left overs.

This other cheeky seagull seamed to be taunting the people sitting down as he was on the bin next to where they were sat. Due to its size they seemed to get unsure of his next move.

Due to the tide being out it was quite visible to see decay of a few wooden structures placed on the beach, this also seemed to be another good perching area for the birds.Time then had arrived to brave the cobweb - sweeping wind.There were a few images that I wanted to capture on the way back. The railway bridge being one of them, I then decided to take the opportunity of using the diamond shapes in the design and having them as an advantage of being a frame for the scene behind.

The next view is of Ty Gwyn Tower. It is 15Th Century and was once owned by Henry Tudor, who later became the first Tudor monarch called King Henry VII  of England. The lower floor is now a restaurant and the upstairs is a Museum that has a shipwreck theme.

Sunday morning was upon us and another chance to discover more.We parked in a different area within the vicinity of both places and it was a nice surprise to see the variations of blue and white fluffy clouds.

The tide was out once again so a walk on the beach was in order,this went right around to the Harbour View Cafe, Fairbourne. This became another photography chance and at the start of the walk there were many sea fishermen. 

This image looks like he has caught the dog!

Seaweed

The skies in some areas were rapidly changing into what looked like storm clouds.

I couldn't resist taking this image of the pattern of the wood knot.

Further along the beach I came across the strange sight of scattered lonely mushrooms.

I finally made it to the cafe in time to see the miniature train arrive, a welcomed strong coffee and what looked like a dry, turning scone once it was opened . Energy was replenished for the walk back,

This was the spot where we on the Friday night, open to all of the elements.

Just over half way from where we started another stop was in order, this was in a place next to a small golf course. Initially when we arrived others had just left and dishes were left, of course this attracted the seagulls and at times felt like a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's film "The Birds".  It became very entertaining just to see the gulls edging closer and closer to the leftover food while we were sat there. There was one moment when on the roof of the establishment gulls were sliding down the roof on the tiles. Although we were very open targets all went well and no one got poop hit, there were times when they were swooping closely and thought a hit was inevitable!

There was an opening to get back on to the beach and I'm glad this path was taken as it gave me another chance to find more images.

Patterns of movement in the sand.

I really liked the colours and patterns on these stones.

I couldn't decide between these two images so I put both up.

With plans made to what we would do next we all moved a few inches from where we were the 1st night. Due to it being a beautiful blue sky day, the sun was blessing us and I was able to get some images of the changing light on the mountains. 

Just before the tide came in again I was able to get images of cloud reflections in the water.

The more the tide came in the more I enjoyed skimming stones on it counting my accomplishments by how many bounces I managed to get.To end the evening a real camping experience was had by having jacket potatoes cooked on the fire in foil, accompanied by variations of tastes such as salad, omelets, salad and tuna. Washed down with the exquisite taste of my new found alcoholic drink Crabbie's! Darkness fell and the end of the break and I took one last look at the campfire and my few last photos. 

 The bright yellow part in the fire reminds me of the Phantom of the Opera mask with a cheeky tongue pulled.

Please click the link below to find out more.

http://www.barmouth.org.uk/

http://www.fairbournebungalows.co.uk/ta/Fairbourne.html

http://www.walesdirectory.co.uk/Towns_in_Wales/Machynlleth_Town.htm

At last my Dissertation Proposal is drafted!

Title:

What impact did Albert Stieglitz and the 291 Gallery have on the American Art World?

Aims

<   To put forward suggestions  about the influence that the photographer Alfred Stieglitz, who set up the gallery, had in helping to shape and define the course of American Photography and Art with the introduction of new pieces of art work and artists into his innovative 291 Gallery.

     To analyse the importance of the gallery at a time when the artists featured where not necessarily considered to be successful or even well known in America

     To analyse whose art work was involved in this new era and examine if Alfred Stieglitz came across any barriers while trying to achieve showing their art work at the Gallery

     To critically discuss  what people’s train of thoughts towards art and photography were and what their perceptions were prior to the viewing and also their reaction to the new pieces of work

     To attempt to show how Alfred Stieglitz‘s way of looking at all art was enhanced by his upbringing and was possibly different from the average gallery visitor’s

     To assess the success of his gallery venture, by evaluating the success or failure of those artists he viewed as having potential and gave opportunities to, with specific references to Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe,  Ansel Adams and Paul Strand 

     To compare the gallery’s function at the beginning of the 20th Century as that of being a place of innovation, with a later artistic venture of artists involved with Beautiful Losers

Reasons for this choice:

This area of mixed art and photography is of particular interest when researching more about Alfred Stieglitz, his work and the influence he has had on current photography styles. Famous artists’ lives and their works came to be in the public’s eye as a result of the gallery’s success and possibly it is a debateable point as to whether the great American public would have accepted this modern work if Stieglitz had not brought it to their attention.

How important is it that artists have the opportunity to exhibit in galleries such as this?

It was purely by chance that information about the 291 Gallery was stumbled upon. The work of Cheryl Dunn was previously considered as a possible subject that would fit together with Albert Stieglitz’s Street Photography. However, after initial research it became obvious that apart from some existing photographic evidence of her recent work, research would possibly be a problem as historical information about her was not readily available. The accuracy of the information could not be verified as accurate or pertinent to the ideas put forward as aims for this dissertation.

The photographic work of Alfred Stieglitz was accessed whilst studying for another photography course. Many of his images, such as “WINTER ON FIFTH AVENUE” (1893) appear to freeze time giving a particular window to look through into his era. His imagery is captivating and evocative as the use of the black and white image makes the photograph that much stronger.  As for his night time photographs; the images are of particular visual appeal. This is a form of imagery called Urban Photography and is closely linked to Street Photography and is a relatively new concept for this writer.

Initial research has highlighted that Stieglitz was an important figure in New York when it came to informing the American public and art critics about more world-wide trends, whereas prior to this era they were less open to new ways of looking at art interpretation. This research also hopes to highlight specific artists who Stieglitz, together with Eduard Steichen, considered worthy of promoting and were very important to the development of the understanding of the emerging art trends.

This is to be made evident by:

1.            Library books, journals and correspondence

2.            Various reliable Internet websites

3.            Documentaries and film archives

4.            Various books I have in my possession on photography

5.            Looking into archived documents

6.            Quotations from various sources

7.            Written articles published in The American Amateur Photographer

Context:

His photographic compositions indicate Stieglitz’s ability to take a photograph that simply and effectively makes you aware of the “Here and Now”. His methodology is an illustration of the style that is a personal ideal to aspire to. A record of the times in which we live is something that a photographer should be documenting. He was producing images of the old and the new. New York was being built and new styles and heights of buildings were being developed and he was on the spot and able to keep a visual record of things as they happened. Together with Georgia O’Keeffe he moved into one of these new skyscraper’s apartments and was in an excellent position to capture imagery that fully exploited the new trends. Personal study can be linked to this aspect by comparisons with personal photography during city visits.

At first, the interest was purely regarding the photographs that Stieglitz produced. After refining the aim of the dissertation, the author has discovered so much more in relation to the development of the 291 Gallery. The focus has now shifted. The main focus will be on the importance of the gallery itself and its usefulness as a vehicle for others to show their talents.

Further aspects and questions about these issues:

How people didn’t think Picasso was important

That rubbing shoulders with other important people developed the effectiveness of Stieglitz as an entrepreneur

It makes we wonder about the importance of upbringing - can it be influential in the development of a person’s character and ideals?

That little is mentioned of his daughter – which makes me think was he an estranged father?

How did his daughter come to view her father and his life?

Would we ever have heard of Georgia O’Keeffe if it hadn’t have been for the chance meeting between both her and Stieglitz at his gallery?  Her work was catapulted into the limelight as a result and his images of her as a model and became very well-known.

Initial Bibliography:

Voorhies, J. T. (2002 ), My dear Stieglitz: letters of Marsden Hartley and Alfred Stieglitz, 1912-1915. University of South Carolina Press.

Author Not Available. (2005), 20^th Century Photography Museum Ludwig Cologne. Taschen

Davenport, A. (1991), The History of Photography: an overview. Focal Press

Golden, R. (2008), Masters of Photography – classic artists of our time. Carlton BookThe Hudson Review, IncThe Example of Alfred StieglitzAuthor(s): John LougheryReviewed work(s):

Source: The Hudson Review, Vol. 54, No. 2 (Summer, 2001), pp. 286-294Published by: The Hudson Review, Ltd.

Wetzel W. (1989), Alfred Stieglitz & the Armory Show: Its Impact on His Life and His Work. Illinois Wesleyan University

Innes W. (1974), Eduard Steichen as Painter and Photographer, 1897-1908. American Art Journal, Kennedy Galleries

Web Links:

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/pstd/hd_pstd.htm

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/ansel/peopleevents/p_aadams.html

http://www.humanitiesweb.org/spa/rai/ID/227

http://www.ursusbooks.com/item23685.html

http://www.askart.com/AskART/interest/Modernism_4.aspx?id=77

http://www.artsmia.org/get-the-picture/stieglitz/index.html

http://www.georgia-okeeffe.com/gallery291.html

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/stgl/hd_stgl.htm

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/566170/Alfred-Stieglitz

http://www.theartstory.org/artist-stieglitz-alfred.htm

http://www.underbridgepictures.com/pages/Pictorialism.html

http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/events/exhibitions/in-the-musee-dorsay/exhibitions-in-the-musee-dorsay-more/article/new-york-et-lart-moderne-alfred-stieglitz-et-son-cercle-1905-1930-4217.html?S=&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=649&cHash=8b484e5928&print=1&no_cache=1&

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/edph/hd_edph.htm

http://www.all-art.org/20ct_photo/Stieglitz1.htm

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/stieglitz_a.html

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/alfred-stieglitz/introduction/69/

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/stgp/hd_stgp.htm

Documentaries:

http://www.metmuseum.org/metmedia/video/collections/curatorial-departments/ph/stieglitz-and-the-new-york-art-scene

Alfred Stieglitz: The Eloquent Eye (1999) - YouTube

Film References:

 Georgia O'Keeffe (2009)

-  Biopic of American artist Georgia O'Keeffe and her husband, photographer Alfred Stieglitz.

                Director: Bob Balaban        Writer: Michael Cristofer

London ( March 2012 )

This would of been posted a long time ago but I was having difficulty u loading my photos. Looking back on our trip I am amazed that many photos came out, due to timetable restrictions. I found myself walking and taking photos at the same time so often! On previous posts I have commented on how enjoyable I found this trip but this post is about the other side of it in a selection of personal images taken. I would have liked a longer stay and  to have had more time exploring museums, galleries and photo opportunities. Once there I had reverted back to being that sponge wanting to soak up all that I saw, record it and learn about what I was seeing. I had wanted while visiting, to see what I was told was called the Gherkin  building- which I did see from a distance. Also the London Eye was something else I wanted to see - this was also accomplished!  

I took this photo of the group while waiting to go into the BBC. The way everyone was lined up made me laugh and reminded me in a strange way of the film cover to "This is England".

The River Thames

 I liked the repetition under the bridge.

I just couldn't resist these two images

Sculptures

This I found unusual and really liked the way the seahorse was encorporated as the prow on the ship 

I really liked this Dragon with its red and silver and reminded me of Wales

A boat on top of a building!

This was sprayed on the pavement and looked cool.

This was on a wall by the Hotel

Graffiti

This area was really cool as it was especially for Graffiti, skateboarding and bikes activities. 

The Mellenium Bridge

             

This was something strange we saw as he was just stood there in the River, strumming the same cord singing.

One of many buskers

This person was a bit scary but reminded me of the KFC king advert!

"Y.M.C.A"!

The Tate Gallery

The London Eye

The Houses of Parliament

Big Ben

Reflections

There was even a yellow coloured one  and it gave the feel of a Lego town! 

I wanted to show the scale of the building 

This window remained me of Notre Dame in Paris

Windows with reflection

I really liked the door handles to the Theatre

The ceiling in one of the precincts

China Town  was where we had our last meal in London.

Balcony view

Old with the new

Celebrity Kim Woodburn was spotted 

 A brief  visit to The British Museum 

Night life

I wanted to  have a chance to take night time photos, the last 3 images were inspired by what I had seen of Alfred Stieglitz  night time images.