Following

Do you begin and end your day with the world framed by a window or windscreen? Maybe it’s your own or perhaps it is the fingerprint smeared one of the bus or train. Do you run? Or cycle? Do you stare ahead, focussed on the point of horizon, enjoying the sensation of the landmarks flying past you? Or do you walk? Head dead ahead. Music sounding. Telephone chattering. Daydreaming.

Have you walked or driven the same route for as long as you can remember? Have you one day, for whatever reason, looked up and seen something that surprised you? A building above a shop perhaps? A blue plaque? A piece of graffiti impossibly high up? A flag. This blog is about what you can see when you tilt your chin and see a different view of your everyday world.

Look up.

You might enjoy it.

You might see something good.

@lookupblog

Wednesday 31 August 2011

Camel Trekking


A friend spotted this trio of camels above the HSBC bank near Monument a couple of weeks ago. Seeing as this particular bank is always banging on about 'being the world's local' it seemed fitting that there would be exotic animals involved. However, I think that it's more likely that it's just a mashing of old and new shop fronts. Still made me smile though.

Tuesday 30 August 2011

Building blocks


Never mind rubix cubes, this building looks like it's made of sticklebricks. I have a sneaking suspicion that architects are just big kids playing with building blocks on a huge scale...

Friday 26 August 2011

Glass cubes


Another glass and steel number; this one reminds me of a contemporary rubix cube.

A lost balloon




Somewhere in North London there's a small child minus a balloon....apologies for such a fuzzy picture. It's a bit like 'spot the balloon'.

1 London Bridge




Number One London Bridge, I'm guessing of which is a very expensive address, not only hosts great views of the Thames but is also the home to architect offices and you can tell just from looking at the building. I tend to veer towards the more traditional styles when it comes to buildings. I love anything Art Deco, Gothic or Georgian and generally think there should be less glass and steel in our capital. However...I completely love this building. The use of glass makes it blend almost seamlessly into the sky and the trim of foliage only makes it seem all the more organic amidst the grey chaos which is London.

Wednesday 10 August 2011

More manufactory action


Another smart piece of signage from my home town.And there's that fantastic word 'manufactory' again.



Tuesday 9 August 2011

Cheeky


My stepdad is an artist, although he doesn't like to call himself that as it seems a bit of a wishy washy thing to say. However, because of this, my parents home is filled with things that he has carved, printed or drawn. I noticed this charcoal bum sitting above the stairs the last time I was home. I love its black and white almost silhouette feeling and its touch of cheekiness- if you pardon the pun.

Bloomin' marvellous


Back in my home town- or at least where my parents live- we take 'Farnham in Bloom' very seriously! I found this tribute to the years 1990-2005 in a little alleyway which I often cut through on my way into town. Farnham also has several potteries scattered around and I though it being made of terracotta was quite fitting.

Thursday 4 August 2011

Tottenham court butterfly


Another lovely example of mosaic, this time in Tottenham Court tube station. A lovely shot of colour to the tube system, sure to brighten up a commute.


Wednesday 3 August 2011

A grand desire



Still in Brighton, though down by the sea this time along Marina Drive. This sign has been up for as long as I remember and apparently it is a product of a Brighton Uni art project. I don't know if I completely 'get' the statement,it seems a little wishy-washy for my liking. However, it is the scrubbed out writing underneath that I want to know more about...maybe someone was contesting this idea!

Down the rabbit hole


If there's anywhere where you have to take the strange and fabulous as the ordinary, it's Brighton. So far it's been my favourite place I've lived and I can definitely see my self going back at some point in my life. This picture was taken in the North Laines of the side of a shop selling Alice-esque whimsy. Brighton seems to have a lot of Alice in Wonderland inspired shops and pubs, The Mock Turtle cafe, The White Rabbit pub and Curiouser and Curiouser the jewellers just as a small example. It's a pretty odd place to live, a sort of fantasy world and it often feels like you went to a festival and never quite left. I loved this piece of graffiti because it encapsulates that and also because it's just really well done.