Seeing the Sea Wall – A Confusion of Scale

Posted on 11/10/201411/10/2014 by Alastair

The scale of the sea wall separating Swansea beach and Swansea harbour can be seen here without to much ambiguity. However, when looking from the top end, at its lowest point to the ground, a confusion of scale becomes apparent.

While it seems from the top of the beach that the wall doesn’t “grow” in size much at all, as you walk towards the sea beside the wall, it becomes gradually apparent, until, at its highest point, you realise the true scale of it towering above you. The same effect of space distorted can be seen if you approach the wall “broadside” from a distance along the beach.

It doesn’t matter that I know the scale of the wall and have approached it in this way many time, that strange confusion of scale does its trick on my perception of it every time.

Has anyone else experienced this kind of spacial effect here or anywhere else?

Collected Jetsam

Posted on 06/10/201406/10/2014 by Alastair

I assume that the piles of rusty and discarded objects we found collected together in Swansea Marina / Docks on a recent Walk and Draw (see previous post), were there deliberately and that their ultimate destination will be a scrap yard.

I have no idea what these objects are but it can be fascinating fun looking through all the strange forms and wondering.

Trolley Cemetery and a New View of Drawing

Posted on 05/10/201405/10/2014 by Alastair

Decaying with time, these old trolleys create a strange cemetery in the mouth of the River Tawe, Swansea.

Those that already follow this blog will know that there is more to come throughout this week to tell the story of a recent walk in the docks/marina area of Swansea.

The walk was the second Mission Gallery Walk and Draw with Sarah Abbott that I have taken part in. On this occasion, while I did a little sketching, most of my drawing was with my DSLR camera, iPhone and small edirol sound recorder.

Having read that the winner of the Jerwood Drawing Prize this year was sound artist Alison Carlier, I felt that my description of drawing with my camera and sound recorder while out on pre-production recce walks for StillWalks videos, is perfectly valid.

With The Big Draw continuing throughout this month, perhaps it is an appropriate time to consider and enjoy the broadening definition of drawing.

Rusty Composition

Posted on 26/09/201426/09/2014 by Alastair

The “obelisk” in this photo is a simple fence post but that everyday country object takes on a lot more importance in this composition. Finding the right angle and position for the depth of focus proved a bit of a challenge.

If the image does not present the beauty that is in the surrounding landscape, it does, for me, provide a fascinating range of textures, pattern and colour. The composition itself could be interpreted in any number of ways, but I will leave that to your imagination.

Rusty Textures

Posted on 25/09/201425/09/2014 by Alastair

The rusty texture and colour of this fence post fits perfectly with the colours and textures of the surrounding landscape of the Mawr upland area of Swansea in South Wales.

Rust and Railings

Posted on 19/09/201419/09/2014 by Alastair

The Second Surprise

Posted on 24/07/201424/07/2014 by Alastair

My second surprise find in the old burnt out abandoned building I found while crossing a field on a recent evening walk were these old cars. I have some enquiries to make in order to find out what the car is. I thought about an MG Midget and a friend suggested a Sunbeam but if anyone out there recognises it as something else, please let me know in the comments.