A photographic installation marking a special value for some of London’s distinctive architectural gems
CONCEPT:
BLINK – In a rapidly eroding landscape, a few jewels are hanging in there. Many splendours have already gone and very few replacements live up to the standards of their predecessors.
THINK – When ideas simply based on profit supersede ideas that engage all human experience, the result is a bland repetition that eclipses individuality and choice to the detriment of all of us.
WINK – We know why London's streets are starting to look the same. Landlords' only concern is with income. As the rents go up, the mediocre moves in. But when people start to pine for variety and choice, we'll wink and say, "you can only blame yourselves."
Exhibits
– Images 'blinking' on Mission's walls showed such gems as Audley Shoemakers; E Gandolfi (ballet shop), 30 Lambs Conduit St, Fluid Juice Bar, Regent Snack Bar, Crowson & Sons Ltd (‘Fancy Cheese People’, Raymond Revue Bar and Sam Arkus Tailor…
– A series of photographs taken by Laura Hodgson showed 10 buildings in black and white, and in colour – thus evoking a bygone era and London’s current streetscape respectively;
– Simon Phipps photographs from his 'Burning Buildings' series;
– A selection of objects and books were for sale, such as Building a Better Tomorrow by Robert Elwall, featuring many unseen photographs of gems created during the reconstruction of Britain during the 1950s; Morris Lapidus: Architect of the American Dream and Nouvelles Devantures et Agencements De Magasins (New Store Shopfronts and Fittings) by Rene Herbst;
Blink, Think, Wink was part of the Institute of Ideas month-long festival of discussions and exhibitions exploring the big issues facing humanity today.
Editorial Coverage
