Stavanger Graffiti and the World Cup

I spent an excellent week in Stavanger.  The light was sharp and acute and it was seasonally cool.  Inside the sports bars and restaurants the World Cup was hot.

Stavanger has drawn me back very very occasionally over the years.  And hasn't changed that much.  The thing I enjoy the most is to visit the graffiti in and around the harbour,  Whether you thik that graffiti is vandalism or not it is always absorbing.  It seems to be appropriate along the harbour front and was much developed since my last visit in 2005.  The Norwegians encourage it and  obviously want to preserve it.  It has expanded and along with it thir own graffiti fest.  Some of it resembles the work of Banksy.  Whether it is his or someone else I cannot tell but the Mona Lisa was particularly interesting.  I won't reproduce it here.  Have a look if you are ever in Stavanger!!

And so to Glastonbury.  The tent is packed and my wellies are on hand.  The countdown is almost over.  I cannot wait.  If you are there then say hi.

Link to Blurb book. Chicago - Outside Its America

My book is now published on Blurb.com  Follow the link to see the full book contents.  Don't forget to select full screen in order to see the book at a good resolution.  I am really pleased with the quality of the book.  Blurb did a good job on the quality of the paper andprinting.  In the end the book took more time than I had planned to invest in it.  But, given that it only represents 5 days of photography in Chicago and a lack of preparation and foresight, then I am very pleased with it.

Proud to include a photo of Gail who made a lovely $5 breakfast for me and welcomed me with warmth and made it into the book!!!


Chicago - Outside Its America  

 Gail: The Lucky Diner Hillside Chicago

Chicago Through a Looking Glass Outside it's America

It was really strange arriving and leaving Chicago.  I don't think I have ever landed up somewhere where I had no plans to visit so far away from wher i had intended to be.  A completely weird experience.  And yet I felt very much at home running around the streets and photographing the architecture and the peoplescapes and the portraits.  I have been so moved by it that I have suspended everything else in my photographic world to work on a book.  It is a sort of  "Looking Glass" experience.

And I am grappling with the book.  At first it was meant to be a 5 evening effort - start to finish.  Then move on.   But it hasn't ended up as that.  I delve deeper and deeper into it.  What do I want it to show.
?  How do I want it to work?  I want to show the heart beato f the city through its buildings and its people.

 So here are some of the images from the book.  Charles White was something very special.  So comes first!!!

Charles White Chicago

Dungar Linzy  - Art Institute Chicago

Larry Williams Chicago Art Gallery

You can check out more content on my website: 

http://www.mountain-photography.net/

Eerie Skies

Flew back from Chicago last night.  Thank you American Airlines.  You treated me well.

As I flew up from London the skies looked eerie.  The view of the countryside lacked clairty and the vapour trails wierdly were hanging there long after the planes had disappeared.  A phenomenon I haven't seen before.

Chicago was memorable.  Perhaps 4 images that begin to show what is a very charismatic and absorbing city.  Lovely people, but not without its problems in the poorer parts of the city.

Strange to be back in America after 6 years and to see up front and close the problems that it is grappling with.  Yes the economy is picking up but unemployment and massive indebtedeness is everywhere you look.

Chicago CAM Contemporary Art Museum

I had an interesting day yesterday exploring the Museum of Contemporary Art.  It is a fine buuilding in a fine location.  The best of the museums I have visited.  It is challenging to look beyond one's prejudices.  At the entrance of the museum was a clear statement of how they see contemporary art, which I found enlightening.  In summary their view is that art no longer has schools or groups of artists.  Now you have individuals who need to reflect modern life.  And with it the influences are media and advertising and now the internet.  Interesting.

The building is spectacular.  A huge space with views out to the skyscrapers.  And the people who are walking around are the most important exhibits!!!  The photography was big and colourful but did not excite me.  The exhibit of the oil barrels with pictures of the Niger Delta was thought provoking.

Quick walk around Navy Pier and an introduction to Bubba Shrimp.  Live replay of Forest Gump and huge portions - this is America.

Holding in Chicago

My flight to Paris due to leave today has been cancelled.  I have been re-booked onto the Thursday flight. 

A daily routine of visiting Chicago landmarks has developed.  Yesterday Nicholas and I visited the Willis Tower (Sears) to see the view by day.  We toured the business district and then went over to the Field museum to see Sue.  Sue is the larget most complete T Rex found so far.  It greets you as you enter the museum and is a very impressive exhibit.  Auctioned at Sothebys for $8m it was paid for mainly from a grant from the MacDonalds (hamburger) corporation.

Ended up in the Hard Rock Cafe.

Such is life.  Today is the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Alex in waiting.