Tag Archives: art

The Massive Angel Of The North Sculpture in the UK

We had passed it several times over the last few years as we travelled either north or south along the eastern coastline of the UK — the massive Angel Of The North sculpture looming over the highway outside of Newcastle. But this time, in spite of the snow flurries and icy temperatures, we stopped to view this huge piece by British artist Antony Gormley.

I’ve made sure that I included two images that contain an adult in them so you can get an idea of the scale of this very, very large piece of artwork.

Enjoy!

Angel Of The North Sculpture by Antony Gormley on a hillside overlooking the motorway into Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Mark (6 ft. tall) standing at the bottom of The Angel Of The North sculpture

Close-up of the beautiful metal structure of the Angel Of The North Sculpture by Antony Gormley on a hillside overlooking the motorway into Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Quayside & Baltic Mill Contemporary Art Centre in Newcastle Upon Tyne UK

The temperatures are still distinctly wintery and the air was full of rain and delicate snow flurries on Sunday. But one of the places on our things-to-do list for Newcastle was a visit to the Baltic Mill Contemporary Art Centre. We also wanted a chance to see the architecture of the buildings and bridges along the Quayside since we had heard so many positive things about that area.

We drove to the closest Park-and-Ride area for the Metro and just sat and watched the stations go by as we travelled from one part of Newcastle into the heart of the city.

On board the Metro in Newcastle Upon Tyne UK

Gateshead Station for the Metro in Newcastle Upon Tyne

Emerging at the Gateshead Station, we took the escalators up the surface and braved a very cold and blustery walk past the lovely Tyne Bridge which looks like a miniature of the Sydney Harbour Bridge because it was built by English firm Dorman Long and Co Ltd, of Middlesbrough, the same contractors who built the many-times-larger bridge in Australia.

Tyne Bridge in Newcastle Upon Tyne UK

15 minutes of walking-against-the-wind later, we arrived at the The Sage Gateshead, a spectacularly funky and shiny and contemporary building that houses everything from concert halls to music studios to cafes and gift shops and more. The place was buzzing with activity on that cold winter day as people mixed and mingled, ate and drank, relaxed in the warmth. Just take a look at all of the upcoming events by clicking on the link above.

The Sage Gateshead centre for the arts and music on the Quayside in Newcastle Upon Tyne UK

Walking through the building to the east facade entry, we saw the re-purposed historical building that houses the Baltic Mill Contemporary Art Centre. in the near distance and traversed the levels of stairs down toward the waterfront setting.

Baltic Mill Contemporary Art Centre in Newcastle Upon Tyne UK

We had such high hopes — truly — but our favourite parts of this museum ended up being the cafe and the gift shop — and that’s a sad statement. We knew full well that this was a small museum and could not be compared to the many major urban museums we have seen all over Europe for the last 2-1/2 years. But we certainly had expected more and both left feeling quite disappointed by the visit. The exhibits currently on offer were simply bland and odd and, in several cases, quite dated — not in a good way. I wasn’t allowed to take any photos inside so I can’t let you judge for yourselves. For us, it was all too-little and too-uncritically-examined and we both had a sense of been-there-seen-that a long time ago. Ah well — at least the admission was free!

The best thing about the Baltic Mill for us was the viewing platform on the 5th level which has simply splendid look-outs over the Quayside area and the juxtaposition of old bridge, new bridge, old buildings, new buildings and all tied up with the pretty ribbon of the Tyne snaking its watery way through the middle.

View of Quayside in Newcastle Upon Tyne from viewing platform at Baltic Mill Contemporary Art Centre with Sage Gatehead, Tyne Bridge, and Millennium Bridge.

Come back soon for more photos and articles about Newcastle including one on the small but elegant Laing Art Gallery.

Thoughtful Words & Contemporary Art in Barcelona

Something to ponder perhaps???

Some Objects Of Desire — a work of art by Lawrence Weiner which is seen high on the wall of the white-on-white lobby of MACBA — the museum of contemporary art and design in Barcelona, Spain.

Some Things by Lawrence Weiner at MACBA in Barcelona, Spain

Architectural Photos of CCCB Museum in Barcelona

This is a mixed bag of both black and white and colour photography today. These photos give you a brief glimpse of the architecture of the lovely CCCB museum in Barcelona.

Some of the more angular shots were better presented in black and white. For visual punch, I love bright blue-sky days. But more and more often lately I seem to be defaulting back to black and white which returns me to my early days in journalism and blissful hours spent in the darkroom.

Enjoy!

Entrance sign at CCCB museum in Barcelona, Spain

Man passing though courtyard entry arch into the CCCB contemporary art museum in Barcelona, Spain with St. Geoge & the Dragon sculpture overhead on building facade.

A St. George & the Dragon sculpture above the archway entry into the CCCB museum in Barcelona, Spain.

Entry-exit ramp at the Barcelona, Spain museum CCCB.

Old meets new in the two buildings housing the CCCB museum of contemporary art.

The crisp geometric angles of the interior lobby in the CCCB museum of contemporary art and culture in Barcelona, Spain.

Escalator to upper galleries at the Barcelona, Spain contemporary museum CCCB.

Vintage Posters In Barcelona, Spain

Today’s photos are vintage posters that were on exhibit at the CCCB in Barcelona.

Vintage “Teatro Nuevo” poster in Barcelona, Spain on display at the CCCB museum

Vintage “Kiss Me” poster in Barcelona, Spain on display at the CCCB museum

Vintage “Kosmopolis” poster in Barcelona, Spain on display at the CCCB museum

Vintage “Joy Joy” poster in Barcelona, Spain on display at the CCCB museum

This is a stunning museum both inside and out. I will post additional photos tomorrow to show you how striking the architecture of the building is. The clean lines and uncomplicated rooms make it a brilliantly open and airy space to exhibit artwork.

From Barcelona, Not The Normal Thing To See At A Museum!

Walking down a narrow street in Barcelona, heading for the contemporary art museum called MACBA, we strolled past several sidewalk cafes at the front corner of the large white museum building.

Sidewalk cafes are conveniently located outside the front entry of MACBA — the museum of contemporary art in Barcelona, Spain.

We certainly weren’t expecting what we saw unfolding in the courtyard in front of us. Dozens of young people were ‘hanging out’ in various places along the courtyard and in clumps at the front of MACBA. And what we were laughing at was the sight of skateboarders doing tricks right in front of that museum!

They were quite considerate and confined their activity to a small area so that they didn’t interfere with the pedestrians who were criss-crossing the plaza or coming in and out of the museum.

Young men on skateboards perform in the open plaza outside MACBA — the museum of contemporary art in Barcelona, Spain.

Day to day life in Barcelona surprised us again and again. We might be living in Europe now, but our quiet French town is rather sedate compared to the unfolding comedy, drama, and action in this large metropolitan part of Spain.

Angles and Curves on A Barcelona Museum

We’re back to coverage from Spain for today’s photo of the day which was taken in front of MACBA — the Museum of Contemporary Barcelona Art.

People sitting atop & walking by a low wall in front of MACBA, a contemporary art museum in Barcelona, Spain.

This museum is right in the middle of the University of Barcelona district, so it is draped with young people every single day. I’ll have another variation of this museum front facade in a very different kind of mood tomorrow!

A Wanderful Life

The Neverending Journey