Category: - Reading the Signs

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For there’s more enterprise in walking naked.

27/6/2018

Leiden – Take a Bow

We had a family weekend break to Amsterdam – absolutely lovely, clean, easy transport, attractive and interesting buildings. There was so much to keep me distracted.

On the Sunday, we visited an old friend in Leiden and got the short version of the guided tour.

Benny McCabe and the Munster Lit have done their bit in Cork. Poe-A-Tree can pop up anywhere. Galway has long been the gold standard in public poetry but that mantle now rests with Leiden.

We only spotted three of the poems painted onto the walls of buildings. They were impressive enough. Wikipedia advises that there are actually 110 – in very many different languages.

I think it would be great if the grant from Cork City Council for painting the external walls of buildings in parts of the city centre could be enhanced for such a venture.
There are so many gable walls that could give back to the city a few chill-out moments, a chance for a tabularasa episode – just a poem to distract.

It has prompted me to start a map of street art, including poetry, that I have encountered and photographed. Hopefully it will get completed within the next few months.

Finding One’s Space

4/6/2018

Our Voices Spoke In Secret –

Until We Found Our Space

Last Sunday, we discovered Ballyallen Wood on the outskirts of Midleton.

The earlier rain had brought out the smells of the forest and had possibly put off a few visitors. A glorious place. We will be back.

Having parked up, the street art on the bridge under the N25 brought a smile. It was appreciated by this passer-by.

Well done to all – Splattervan; Cloyne Diocesan Youth Services; Cork County Council; and, Midleton Arts Festival

Street Art – A New Variety

3/6/2018

A warm sunny Monday morning had me walking up Anglesea Street.

I spotted something never seen before with these eyes – paintings standing against the railings of the Model School/Courthouse.

They appeared to be unattended. They did not appear to be for sale – more for taking to a good home. Maybe the artist was travelling and could not take all work. Maybe a studio needed a clearout.

Maybe, the artist, Sophia Felumaz was just having a bit of fun.

My meetings went on quite a bit and I did not return via Anglesea Street so can only hope that they found a home, and not a skip

Poe_A_Tree

26/4/2018

As I have mentioned more than once, I really appreciate poetry in the public realm.

I got a very pleasant surprise heading over town for lunch, a few chill out moments, compliments of PoetryDayIRL

When walking back to work, I could have been mistaken for a dog with the level of interest I gave to every tree en route. Unlike the dog’s bladder, I was unsatisfied as I did not spot any more.

I had hoped to get to the launch of Gerry Murphy’s new offering today at the City Library (17.30) but it looks like life will intervene.

In compensation, one of Gerry’s poems will form my contribution to @Poe_A_Tree when I leave work today – maybe there will be time for more when I get home later.

Guerrilla Poetry

2/2/2018

I have long been an admirer of public poetry.

I think Galway is the gold standard with carved stone, tile, and cast metal forms of poetry on display – just there, where you are not expecting it, where you can take a minute or two to read, pause, reflect and take time-out.

We all need time-out – well, I need time-out.

This morning, my journey to work took much longer due to the many poetry extracts that appeared overnight on poles.

Dungarvan - Take A Bow

15/8/2017

Public Realm is definitely a recent buzz word.

From what I have observed on St. Patrick’s Street, Cork; Cornmarket St., Cork; Limerick Railway Station; and, Tralee, there appears to be a formula of sorts including:

Limestone paving, laid to an irregular pattern, with some colour or granite thrown in for good measure

Some timber or stone plinths for seating, but not so comfortable so as to encourage one to stay too long

Stainless steel or maybe timber block traffic bollards with some stainless or colourful bike racks

And some funky light fittings

All involved in the reallocation of vehicular space to pedestrian space.

Splitting The Atom

An Spailpín Fánach

Personally, I would like to see more green in these Public Realm spaces – grass; trees; green walls – even herb or vegetable beds maintained by locals. I think that they would encourage greater use by the city residents and visitors.

I would also love to see a sail like covering similar to the Limerick Milk Market and Temple Bar Square – then a town/city would have a useable multi-functional space and would facilitate gatherings and events.

I am a fan of public sculptures and believe that they should be introduced in such Public Realm spaces – as Westport did successfully.

Decent seating would be an improvement.

My recent visit to Dungarvan added another item to that wish list.

Dungarvan - Home of Ireland's First Cycle Club

Westport, Co. Mayo

A Hidden Gem in Dingle

23/7/2017

My conversational Irish weekend took me west of Dingle last April.

Saturday late afternoon had me walking around Dingle when I came across this manhole cover.

It records the raising of the Green Irish Republic flag over the G.P.O. in Easter 1916 by Eamonn Bulfin. Finola on Roaringwater Journal educated that there were actually two flags raised with Gearóid O’Sullivan’s raising the tricolour, remembered in Skibbereen.

Dingle

Skibbereen

I was intrigued as I had not seen one of its type previously, or since – and I do look out for the likes of manhole covers.

Last week, we left our holiday location for a spin over the Conor Pass to Dingle where I was hopeful of discovering more about the manhole cover. It was the first that the Tourist Office knew about the manhole cover. They suggested a visit to the library who were equally unaware.

On the off chance that it was a specially commissioned piece, I did ask at the Green Lane Gallery but they had not spotted what is near their door.

My next step was to be a visit to the Council offices on my next trip west but the internet has provided some answers.

There were manufactured by EJ Co in Birr, Co. Offaly – the former Cavanagh plant. The August 2016 edition of the Local Authority News publication advised that the commemorative covers were designed in conjunction with Siobhan Bulfin.

Twitter revealed that Kerry County Council installed one in Listowel.

I do think that such covers are a great way to record and commemorate, as well as display art – I do hope that there will be more such commemorations to be spotted under our feet.

Here’s Looking at You Kid

3/2/2017

Two weeks ago I spotted this in Limerick, near King John’s Castle.

The art installation did bring a smile to this observer.

On Twitter yesterday, I learned that I had only had a preview.

The final version combined art with some guerrilla gardening. It now appears complete.

Cue, bigger smile hereabouts.

Photograph from LimerickWalkingTours on Twitter

Is there a link?

20/1/2017

Last October, I spotted this on the wall on Washington Street, near St FinnBarre’s Bridge. I had a vague recollection of seeing a message in a similar style somewhere previous – but had not photographed, unfortunately.

Taking the photograph, I was hoping that I would again pass the one that I had previously seen; that I could then take a photograph; and then compare the two.

At the start of November, a family break to Paris saw us walking back from Basilica Sacré-Coeur towards Montmatre. I spotted this.

To my eyes, there are definite similarities with the eye and the four teeth/triangles – but any more than that had me beaten. I do not know.

The Paris message appears to translate as ‘To Victory Always’ which does not relate to ‘Rocking The World’.

This is still a riddle waiting to be solved.

Are the eyes and teeth a coincidence?

Is there a link between the messages?

UPDATE 2017.02.15

I found the photograph of the original marking. It is at St Patrick’s Quay.

It is of similar style to the other two I have seen – but I am still completely lost as to the meaning.

UPDATE 2017.02.16

Thanks to Miscellanea Curiosa on twitter who has advised that they are the work of Oré – a street artist from France.

His website reveals that there are a few more in Cork that I have yet to spot.

It is great that the riddle has been solved.

Traffic was Cat

21/10/2016

Heading home this evening, this cat was watching me walking down Cotter Street.

Maybe, it is his eyes but I sensed a smile of approval of my decision to walk to work that day.

For The City Is Made To Be Walked

7/7/2016

WALKERS ARE PRACTIONERS OF THE CITY

FOR THE CITY IS MADE TO BE WALKED

BÍONN SIÚLACH SCÉALACH

Kruger has hit top of the charts this month.

It is still early in the month and there are not too many search topics bringing people to the home of my ramblings, here. The search topic topping the list is ‘kruger-gael siulach scealach’ – one of my posts on the family Kavanagh.

It reminded me that I had photographs of the entire street art installation in Dublin that had posed a question. Reason enough to share.

IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE ROAD YOU ARE WALKING START PAVING ANOTHER ONE

Cork – not just a welcome for Corkonians

7/7/2016

This week I have spotted a few new utility boxes painted around town by ReimagineCork, People’s Republic of Cork, and Alan Hurley with the Cope Foundation.

Enough of a reason for a blog post.

I have updated the slideshow.

Maybe a day will come when utility companies will have to engage artists to regularly paint the boxes that are a graffiti magnet otherwise.

Shandon Street Renewal Project – Phase 2

25/6/2016

June 216

This week I spotted and admire the street art installation on the concrete wall towards the bottom of Shandon Street.

It is a definite improvement. I suspect that it was not supported by the National Development Plan.

I do wish that the sign for Phase 1 (NDP 2000 to 2006) had been removed – maybe there is a concerted effort by someone to have the most out of date sign n display.

June 2016

Sept 2015

Sept 2015

Boxes, boxes

7/6/2016

The ReimagineCork crew were out a short while back adding to the range of messages on utility boxes.

There are five locations where one can learn of some Cork words. A few years back, I posted an Evening Echo calendar to the UK with a similar message for each month.

For those wishing to improve their Cork vocabulary, there is a book.

I decided to put a slideshow together of the many utility boxes that I have spotted. Enjoy.

Art - under your feet

4/6/2016

We spotted this outside Lime Street Station in Liverpool.

There were a good number of paving slabs with similar engravings.

I assume that they are computerised/automated engravings from original sketches.

I do like the image as well as the inclusion of co-ordinates. Anything that makes a streetscape, building or place unique is good in my opinion.

Compliance with regulations and need to meet CE, or I.S./B.S standards are such that I believe they are encouraging a small number of manufacturers and a smaller range of products in all construction materials.

It could be argued that shopping centres and main streets are similarly affected with stores from the same chains occupying the centres of cities - each city turning into a version of the other.

I am definitely fed up with standardisation. I have long since determined to support to support the local independent over the branch of the chain.

These paving slabs are just another reminder as to the value of difference and being unique.

I read of proposals for art on the pavings in The Liberties in Dublin, and smiled. Well done, The Liberties.