Hand on the Tiller

In a May of uncertain weather this rainbow tiller brightens up the canal-side perhaps waiting for its trip along the water when the helmsman manoeuvres it to provide leverage in the form of torque to turn the rudder. Staying with the nautical theme I'll take you to London's Trafalgar Square

where Nelson's Column has a new companion, yes its Shaun the Sheep turned out with a tricorne hat just like the one Admiral Nelson is wearing. Are you ready for your close up Shaun?

Here is Nelson Shaun with his decorations and, as we are in Trafalgar Square, there is a pigeon included. I'd forgotten hearing there was a temporary Shaun the Sheep Art Trail in London otherwise I'd have downloaded the app and driven my companion to distraction by tracking some of  them down. As it was I found another two by accident  but there are 50 across the city.  They have been created by artists, designers and celebrities and will be there until the end of May when the show moves on to the home of Aardman Animations, Bristol, where a further flock of 70 will appear.  Eventually they will be auctioned off to raise money for two children's charities. See more Shaun in the City here   (and that app).

An entry to ABC Wednesday, a journey through the alphabet, this week sojourning at T here

Fourth Plinth

The fourth plinth in London's Trafalgar Square was supposed to hold an equestrian statue but lack of funding meant that it lay empty of 150 years.   In 1999 the marvellous idea of  using it for contemporary art was started and different pieces have appeared on it over the years.  On the 25 July 2013 the latest occupant was unveiled -  Hahn/Cock by the German artist Katharina Fritsch. This vivid ultramarine bird would brighten up any day and stands out against the surrounding buildings of grey Portland Stone.  I like the whimsy of the installation being in a city square and nowhere near a farmyard.   I also think that Fritsch is having a little joke in that the cockerel is a French national symbol, and here it is popping up in Trafalgar Square whose name and statue of Lord Nelson commemorates the British naval battle against the French in the Napoleonic Wars. 

The forth plinth is always a lure for the photographer and it is a must to check the camera shot.

"All right, Mr DeMille I'm ready for my close up"

Here is a different occupant of the Fourth Plinth (left of the fountain) who has gone with the naval theme of the square.

This is "Nelson's Ship in a Bottle" by Yinka Shonibare which lived on the plinth from May 2010-2012.  A perfect replica of HMS Victory, apart from the sails of Indonesian batik.   This material was originally mass produced by Dutch traders and sold in West Africa and today it is associated with African dress.  As a black British artist Shonibare is mixing the traditional ship in a bottle with batik sails to comment and meditate on colonialism, industrialisation and emigration.  It certainly struck a chord with the British public because when it was rumoured that on its removal from the plinth it was going to be sold to Korea money was raised to keep it in England and today it is installed outside the National Maritime Museum.  This is a happy coincidence because I'm staying nearby there next month when I hope to get a better photograph.  I struggled with both the sun and the hight to get much of the intricate details in this one.

An entry to ABC Wednesday, a journey through the alphabet, this week sojourning at F here

    

Trafalgar Square

Just back from a short break in London so here is perhaps one photograph that would sum up the trip (apart from the fact I can never resist a fountain in sunshine).  Part of Trafalgar Square, in the centre of the city surrounded by galleries, theatres, restaurants and pubs and in the photo, lots of people, the art of display, interesting buildings and just in the picture a bit of construction.  Its a long time since I have visited the city and it never disappoints, the only problem is fitting all one wants to do (impossible) into a short time.