Architecture – In the Abstract

Posted on 15/02/201415/02/2014 by Alastair

The Senedd by Richard Rogers – The National Welsh Assembly building in Cardiff was opened in 2006 but until recently I had only viewed it from the outside. There have been many photographs taken of it, most of them showing the exterior or the mushroom like ceiling of the interior. The photos below are mine.

Different Events – The architecture I have featured this week has all been different as have the events that have taken me to the various venues. The event at the Senedd was the launch of a community solar PV co-operative by friends – www.egni.coop – and are looking for people to invest. We already enjoy reduced bills as a result of solar PV panels on our roof.

Eyes and ears open – I said at the beginning of the week that I always try to have my eyes and ears open for potential StillWalks locations. In fact a StillWalks video could be produced for any location, but because I am looking and listening to the things around me with this potential in mind, I feel I am able to see and hear better than I would otherwise. Using the camera (DSLR, compact or iPhone) helps me to focus in on different aspects of my surroundings and in time you begin to do this anyway. It is the same with sound – listening through headphone helps you focus your hearing and in time I believe you become more perceptive. Now I just need to prove it lol!

Featured SillWalks Videos – I’m afraid this is going to be another week without a featured StillWalks video. I have a number of productions to complete and I look forward to adding these to the StillWalks collection. For now there is, as always, access to sample length videos is available through the Walks menus and you can always buy them at anytime for as little as £1.50.

Architecture – Cardiff ATRiuM

Posted on 14/02/201414/02/2014 by Alastair

A wide range of places – The various meetings, seminars and workshops I go to take place in a wide range of places. Yesterday’s post showed the venue for some first aid training. Today’s shows the ATRiuM building in Cardiff. It is part of University of South Wales and I was on the top floor there last week for a workshop run by the Creative Exchange Wales Network (CEWN).

Contrasts of architecture – The architecture here is quite different to that of the Guildhall in Swansea (see previous pos). Quite recently built, it has elements of the abstract about it and a lot of glass! The spiral staircase was one feature pointed out to me and liked its viewpoint as well as using it. Despite the vague reference to the Guggenheim Museum, the angle I viewed it from on the ground floor could have been more interesting.

Just like New York? – Over coffee, before the start of the workshop, a couple of people suggested that the view from the top floor resembled New York! I made a point of getting a quick photo on my phone at the end of the day and although I have not been to New York, I could not honestly say that I could see the resemblance. I may well be wrong of course – you tell me (anyone that knows New York).

Penarth Pier and Pavilion

Posted on 07/12/201307/12/2013 by Alastair

Being in the Cardiff area in South Wales this week, I was also able to visit the newly refurbished pavilion (inc. cinema) on Penarth Pier – a very good job they have done of it too! These photos are also available to purchase through the StillWalks PhotoShelter website. My favourite shots are those at the bottom of the structure under the pier!

Lines and Blocks – Cardiff Bay Architecture

Posted on 06/12/201306/12/2013 by Alastair

I wouldn’t describe these images as Christmasy but I was in Cardiff Bay the other day and happened to have an hour to spare. The architecture there creates some interesting patterns and I had taken my camera.

I had a bit of an argument with the security guard for the building with the lines and bars (he wasn’t very polite!) but that just added to the interest. Personally, I really like the concrete wedge! More of these photos are available on the StillWalks PhotoShelter site.

Lines and Bars

Bar Reflection

Bars Perspective

Wedge

Wedge and Rectangles

Tulips and the Tram Shed in Cardiff

Posted on 09/05/201309/05/2013 by Alastair

We had a very cultural day out to Cardiff a couple of days ago. Having a picnic lunch in the tulip filled gardens in front of the National Museum of Wales was bliss in the sunshine . . . and the museum itself with the current exhibitions (Julian Stairs and Pop Art) never ceases to amaze me with the fantastic collection it has.

Tulips in Cardiff

Diffusion at the Tram Shed

The Diffusion Festival is also filling the city this month and we visited the Tram Shed to see two photography exhibitions in a fascinating venue – The Valleys Re-Presented by various artists and High Rise by Peter Bobby. I have to say I was as taken with the venue as I was with the work. One of my daughter’s lecturers had work in this show which was a good way for us to select what venue to visit amongst all that is going on in the festival.

The Tram Shed, Cardiff

Last but not least we visited the Chapter Arts Centre. Again, my daughter had been studying one of the artists (Maurizio Anzeri) who is exhibiting there and so it was any easy choice amongst all the galleries to choose from.

Click the links to find out more about the exhibitions and venues.

Looking Back

Posted on 29/03/201329/03/2013 by Alastair

The reflections in these puddles and the subject matter of the Cathays Cemetery made me think that while putting the blog posts together for this week, I have mostly been looking back, if only to Saturday – so now to look forward!

Despite the cold on Saturday, I really liked this cemetery and I hope that you can see from the previous images through the week, that it has many different aspects to it. I must visit again in the late Spring or Summer to enjoy it in better conditions.

Cathays Cemetery

On a different note – sometimes, as on this occasion, I compile a few posts all at the same time and scheduled them to go out through the week. It was been a pleasure to do so this time to the music of Carla Bley (have fun on her website :-)). Anyone else enjoy her music?

The Audience and the Districts

Posted on 28/03/201328/03/2013 by Alastair

These graves look like they have an excellent view of the event – whatever that may be! They make me think of a concert in the park where everyone brings a picnic and enjoys the event from deck chairs. In Britain they would have brought umbrellas as well 🙂

Cathays Cemetery in Cardiff has many aspects to it.

The Audience

Some hide away

Some prefer to be more private and hide away amongst the greenery.

This cemetery has it all, even a “downtown” area with sky scrapers!

Downtown at the cemetery

Start of the Tour – Cathays Cemetery

Posted on 26/03/201326/03/2013 by Alastair

The prompt to this weeks blog posts were the Angels in yesterdays post.

So, going back to the beginning, todays images are of the entrance to the cemetery which, although in need of some maintenance, is still an impressive structure and suggests, even before you enter, the size and importance of the cemetery.

All photos taken on my iPhone.