10 from half-term

It was half-term a couple of weeks ago, and for the most of it we just spent it at home, as the weather was pretty pants, and being at home is so cosy and comfortable, you know? We managed to spend one day in town though, and went to the Meet Vincent van Gogh Experience, which with it being the school holidays, was packed. It wasn't as amazing as the similar van Gogh experience we saw in Paris in the summer (which reminds me, I HAVE to start posting the giant backlog from last year!), but it was still fun to see. It’s basically giant projections of Van Gogh’s painting, that you are steered through, with headphones so you get to know a bit more about the art and the man himself.

There was an enlarged section of one of his paintings, so you could touch the thickness of his brush strokes.

And a shadow projection of van Gogh and Paul Gaugin painting side by side inside the Yellow House, where they eventually had the huge fight that pushed Van Gogh over the edge, and led to him slicing off his ear.

Oomoo and his friend E.

Right at the end of the show there was a big projection wall with all of the paintings that van Gogh made in the 10 years he painted. I got a lump in my throat, as I usually do when it comes to him. He had no idea that he would one day become one of the worlds most famous and influential artists. I wonder what he would make of what’s happened to his art since his death, and how much it sells for now, and that you can buy The Sunflowers umbrellas and cushions, or little crocheted Vincent van Gogh key rings.

We walked along the river to Tate Modern, where I spotted these girls doing some sort of dance in front of a smartphone, to post on TikTok I’m guessing, as that’s what all them kids are doing, aren’t they?

Reflections and silhouettes.

FUN TIMES.

Didn’t stay long at Tate as it was also packed. Just below the gallery the tide was out, but Oomoo wasn’t interested in going down there and having a wander. Oh well, there’s always next time.

Hello dude! The more I see the ever changing London sky line, the less I recognise it.

Oomoo and I ended up in Covent Garden, going for a wander where we spotted lots of funny little details, like this climber, making a run for it to the neighbouring building.

And then finally, evening. The guy standing in the window is the reason why I took this pic, and when I had a closer look at it, I could see that he was looking straight at me. Sorry guy! That must have been so weird to see someone stop on a busy street and take your picture like that.

Last week's camera walk

Looking down, walking from Holborn tube station towards Somerset House. I’m trying to get out at least once a week with my camera, and I always start with an exhibition, as it’s a sure way to get me out of the house.

In one of the big majestic stairwells in Somerset House. I went to see the 24/7 A wake up call for our non stop world exhibition, which was interesting. In a nut shell: “With every moment seemingly an opportunity to connect and work, unrelenting pressure to produce and consume, sleep itself monitored and commodified, how we cope is one of the most urgent contemporary issues affecting us all.” I didn't take any pictures in there, I just wanted to give it my full attention, and take it all in.

Waterloo Bridge from underneath.

Personally I’d be waiting in the sun, but each to their own.

Looking down on the Thames. Wondered what the water temperature would feel like compared to the pond. You’d drown if you tried to swim here though, as the river currents are so strong. And let’s not even think of how polluted it is.

Flapper.

Flutter.

This feels like too much of an ask, but I’m curious, who’s reading this blog? I have no idea who you are, and it would be so nice to hear a bit about you (all three of you - haha). Who are you, where are you, and is there anything you’d like to see more of here? Hope you have a great weekend!

December randoms through my camera

Hej and welcome to the new chapter of my funny eye! After almost 11 years on Blogger I’ve finally jumped ship to Squarespace, which for a technical dunce like myself seems to be the most logical platform, and the fact that I can archive the old blog here is huge bonus. Don’t want to lose all them years of posts innit. Please pardon the messy layout in the archive though, but life’s too short to fix it, and this is aaaaaall about the present! Anyways, how are you? Excited about the new year and the new decade? I am. Even though the world is pretty awful at the moment, I’m settling on being an optimist. I still have a huge back log to post (like half of 2019), but I thought I’d start at the end, with a selection of images from my December.

Went to see Dora Maar at Tate Modern at the beginning of the month. I didn’t think it was particularly good, but I try to see as many exhibitions by female artists as I can, as they’re chronically under represented, and I find it interesting and inspiring to see the work of women.

Checked out Dora Maurer there as well.

A December sunset at Primrose Hill.

The light was so good on Christmas day. I was not in blog mode though, and besides, our xmases pretty much all look the same anyway, so these three will have to represent the day…

In the days between xmas and new year everything slows right down, and I enjoy the quiet for about 48hrs, but after that I start to feel really sluggish. I know that all it takes to feel better is to just walk out the front door and take myself for a walk, but it took about five days for that to happen this time. Actually, that’s not true, as I did go out for my cold water swims over the holidays, and that really helped. Anyway, the day before New Years Eve we met up with friends and went for a long walk on Hampstead Heath, which cheered me up no end.

At one point we took a little detour, and Oomoo helped out a squirrel who had been chased up a tree by a cat. Here he’s trying to let him know that the coast is clear.

And there you have it - some of my December seen through my camera. See you very soon.