B'ham Explorations
25th June 2005
<-- Index | Showing 1-28 of 28 pictures | Index -->
It's Architecture Week here, so I participated in a couple of things. The 'capital ART PROJECTS: the distance between us' symposium [http://www.capitalartprojects.org.uk] and the Explorer's Club Of Birmingham '“I Can’t Find Brummagem”: An Expedition and Some Meandering Thoughts on
Climbing Buildings.' Neither of these involved climbing buildings, but I did do my interpretation of escaping the World Trade Towers by walking down 18 stories in the McLaren building (and almost beating the lifts.)
Finding my way along to the symposium. It's on the 18th floor of the tall building at the back.
2005-06-25_005.JPG

2005-06-25_006.JPG

2005-06-25_007.JPG
Here's the entrance, where the Masshouse Circus was bashed off the ground floor. A close-up of the jagged edge would be good, but I didn't do one.
2005-06-25_008.JPG
From the 18th floor, looking along Curzon Street between the disused ParcelForce depot and Millennium Point.
2005-06-25_009.JPG
Swinging south, looking across St. Bart's grave yard toward the now demolished Bridon Ropeworks.
2005-06-25_010.JPG
Further south, across the Moor Street viaduct. I have higher resolution photos of this scene, at <a href=http://tinyurl.com/cbvdh>Zoto</a>. Go see em then come back here for the rest of the trip.
2005-06-25_011.JPG
NEwhall Street. Note the irregular potted plants on the balcony. Could it be art?
2005-06-25_024.JPG
These look very much like yuppie flats. Are they?
2005-06-25_025.JPG
The derelict Thinktank. Wow.
2005-06-25_026.JPG
WHo'd have thought a place could go downhill like this in a couple of years?
2005-06-25_027.JPG
A poster that's been in the display case for three years. Hasn't anyone come round to tidy up?
2005-06-25_028.JPG
COming soon: mixed use development.
2005-06-25_029.JPG
Who are these characters in the fur parkas? Are they some religious cultists? Is that why there's a chopper ciccling overhead?
2005-06-25_030.JPG
Nearly there.
2005-06-25_031.JPG

2005-06-25_032.JPG
Teh base camp.
2005-06-25_033.JPG
Survival rations. Very nice biscuits, BTW!
2005-06-25_034.JPG
I ate 3 of these!
2005-06-25_036.JPG
Some strange ritual - but I recognise the parkas. I wonder if they'll recognise me.
2005-06-25_037.JPG

2005-06-25_038.JPG
It is not drawn on any map. True places never are - Melville in Moby Dick
2005-06-25_039.JPG
A view from the 6th floor. I think the McLaren building is visible somewhere over there.
2005-06-25_040.JPG

2005-06-25_041.JPG

2005-06-25_042.JPG
Derelict art in the Jewellery Qtr.
2005-06-25_043.JPG
Our induction MoC.
2005-06-25_044.JPG
SHowing how it's done.
2005-06-25_045.JPG