…CMYK sugar rush

…the art of scaffolding

Left: Serpentine Gallery Pavilion. Right: Co-op, London Road, Brighton

Making the most of another sunny day I headed to the Serpentine Gallery, interested to see this year's pavilion, Sou Fujimoto's temporary outdoor structure. 

On arrival I saw latticed steel poles combine with glass panels to create a massive climbing frame/seating area. It was great, kids were clambering over, adults were sipping tea and relaxing. The glass worried me slightly - I envisaged visitors slipping - their tea spilling onto the glass. But then I told myself to get over it. This is ART baby!

The next day, I headed down London Road, Brighton. I hadn't been that way for a while so it was quite something to see the Co-op building demolished, with only the facade in place, supported by a whole load of scaffolding.

What struck me was the visual similarities between this and the Serpentine structure. This was another massive frame of steel poles standing proud against the blue sky. They're both intended to be temporary and, maybe for different reasons, they both caused people to stop, look and take in the sight. 

Fujimoto's structure is a considered an aesthetic piece of art whereas the scaffolding surrounding the former Co-op may be seen, by some, as an eye sore. However, I like to think that art can exist beyond gallery pavilions and can be incorporated in the mundane and everyday.

...pressing buttons

...craft worship

Call me a heathen, but I always thought Hassocks was just a village in West Sussex - until I took a trip to Firle that is. Whilst having a wander around the village, my visiting Canadian pal Launa requested we take a look at St Peter's, Firle's 13th century village church. After opening the (very) heavy wooden door and stepping into that unique church stillness, I was struck by rows of colourful scenes cross-stitched into beautiful pew kneelers, giving the church a certain warmth despite the low temperature! Since that initial visit I returned, armed with a camera, as I couldn't resist recording some of my favourites. I also did a little research on them and, as well as finding an excellent database of kneelers recording many examples of this lovely craft, discovered that they're also referred to as 'Hassocks'.

...blue meets green