21/08/2014

LEWES HERITAGE

A few days ago we went to Lewes, in Sussex England. Lewes is an important town concerning heritage and history in Sussex. Prehistoric and roman artefacts have been found in the area, which you can see at the Lewes Museum near the castle.

Yes, the castle: one of Lewes' most fascinating sites. It is in itself quite remarkable that the castle is still standing after many fights, wars, invasions and even an avalanche(!). The castle was built around 1069 and has been used for different purposes since then. 

Today the castle is open for the public, providing lots of information on its past. In the Barbican House Museum is also a model of the town with a 10 minute video. This video explains exactly the history since the castle was built and all the different stages and eras it has gone through. At the Barbican House you will be able to see and read more about the history of Lewes and Sussex. There are plenty of resources for children as well; they can dress up and play as knights.

I always find it fascinating to think that people almost a 1000 years ago walked here as well. What were they thinking? How did they feel about all the fights? What were they doing on a daily basis? I guess we will never really know. And that is exactly what makes castles so highly mythical to me.

Enjoy the photos!

WHO: Lewes Castle
WHAT: heritage and history of Sussex
WHERE: Lewes, East Sussex, England



 Medieval bookstore
 Old flower store
 Barbican gate
 Canon
 View from the castle
 Castle walls
Castle Gardens

10/08/2014

ART WORKSHOP BY ME

Today I gave my very first own art workshop! And it was magnificent. When the gallery just opened and I had prepared the materials, I felt a rush of adrenalin rushing through my head. Will people even show up? What will they think? Will they participate?
To be fair, you never know if your idea for a workshop is going to be working for people or not. It's a bit of a gamble (well, a thought-through gamble)but it is difficult to predict how people will respond.

The idea for my workshop was based on a few conditions: people of any age should be able to participate, people who come in should be able to participate for a few minutes or for an hour depending on what they prefer and the theme of the workshop has to relate to the current exhibition.

I chose to stick a very large white paper to the floor and drew multiple dots on it. People were supposed to 'connect the dots' by picking two dots and draw something from one dot to the other without getting their pencil from the paper whilst drawing something that represents them. The current exhibition has a theme that relates to reflection. I wanted people to reflect upon themselves and think about who they are or who they would like to be.

A group of families came in and some kids were eager to start drawing. Their concentrated faces, their pensive glances and their eagerness to create something was wonderful to see. How great is it that children don't feel boundaries, shame or worries when they create art? They can be so straight-forward and serious about what they are doing, something I believe many adults could learn from. However, some adults dared to draw something as well and together it made a great combination of different drawings. Basically, the drawings of people representing themselves where connected to other people by the dots, which I believed was a nice side-effect.


Not only did the visitors liked it, my colleagues and even the art educator from the gallery liked my idea and would be interested in implementing it again!

Not only did I enjoy my first art workshop, it makes me want to do it again, and again. It just made me even more sure: I want to become an art educator.

WHO: Visitors and me
WHAT: Sunday Art Workshop
WHERE: Fabrica Art Gallery, Brighton, UK









05/08/2014

EDINBURGH's ARCHITECTURE

It can easily be said: Edinburgh is one of my favourite cities of all times. It has so much to offer: many museums, galleries, parks, festivals, gigs. But something you will see everywhere you go in Edinburgh is its architecture. The buildings in this city are quite distinct and most of all, they are very old. The heritage and history of Edinburgh is simply magnificent and it is absolutely worth it to go on a free (!) Sandeman tour so you can learn a little bit more about the buildings around you. Some of the stories will blow your mind!

The Edinburgh castle is one of the most outstanding buildings in Edinburgh, situated on top of a hill (how scenic!). But something you might forget to take a look at are the University buildings or the slightly more tucked away National Portrait gallery.

The architecture and the colour and structure of the buildings really create the right atmosphere in Edinburgh. It makes you feel you are in a city that never changed since it was built, you can easily feel the rich heritage this city is built upon.

If the museums, galleries, parks, festivals, whisky and tours had not persuaded you yet to go to Edinburgh, then the architecture definitely will.

Enjoy the photos!


WHO: Edinburgh
WHAT: Architecture
WHERE: Anywhere in Edinburgh 


 National Portrait Gallery
 Downtown Edinburgh
 Edinburgh University
 View from Edinburgh Castle
 Greyfriars Bobby
National Museum of Scotland

01/08/2014

NATURAL DUBLIN

A while ago I visited a friend in Dublin. I wasn't sure what to expect from Dublin, but as I have lived in Glasgow up in the North, I presumed a city in the North, in Ireland would be similar. Although a lot of people have preconceptions about Ireland (and Scotland for that matter) these cities are not as dark and rough as you'd expect.

I was surprised my the beauty of the architecture, the green areas in the middle of town and the abundance of lovely people. My friend and I decided to go explore some of the art and museums the city has to offer and went into the Natural History Museum. I can hear some of you thinking: "I have seen a natural history museum before." That might be true, but the way this museum is curated, how it informs its visitors and simply the inside architecture is really refreshing.

Although you will be able to see a range of animals from rhinos to gorillas, you will also be able to learn more about the fauna of Dublin and Ireland in this museum. It gives you a better idea of the natural side of the country, and frankly, it made me want to explore the fauna also outside of the museum walls. So there you go, museums can definitely fuel your little let-go-out-and-explore-nature-fire, without you even realizing it!



WHO: Dublin, Ireland
WHAT: Natural History Museum
WHERE: Merrion St Upper, Dublin 2, Ireland