Blow-Up

At the Photographers Gallery there's an exhibition of stills from Michelangelo Antonioni's classic swinging London movie Blow-Up, including some set in south east London locations. There's a shot of David Hemmings emerging from a building with a sign saying National Assistance Board Camberwell Reception Centre - this is the old Spike homeless hostel in Consort Road, SE15 which features at the beginning of the film. Part of this is still standing and has been squatted for several years, with the Council recently granting a licence.

There are also a number of photos of Maryon Park in Charlton, a crucial location where Hemmings' photographer character inadvertently takes pictures of the crime which is central to the film's plot.

Also on at the Photographers Gallery is an exhibition of photos from the London Fire Brigade archive. Thrill to the sight of a 1951 bus crash in the Walworth Road, chortle at a 1947 image of a 'boy being rescued from a milk churn' in Lambeth. My favourite was of a fire in Lyndhurst Grove SE15 in 1963 seemingly contributed to by the haphazard piles of books stacked all over the house including up the staircase. There but for the grace of God go I...

Both run until September 17th and are free. The Gallery is at 5 & 8 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7HY (Nearest tube Leicester Square).

Walking the Ravensbourne

From London Below blog

Green Gatherings

A couple of interesting sounding green events coming up locally. On Monday 28 August there's a Green Man Fayre at the One Tree Hill Allotments, behind Honor Oak Park train station, SE23. Its on from 12 - 6 pm and costs £2. More information about the allotments from South London Permaculture.

Then on Sunday 3rd September there's an invitation to picnic at the Brockley Common Opend Day (next to Brockley Station). It's on from 12 noon to 4 pm. More details from Brockley Cross Action Group.

Shot by Both Sides

Shot by Both Sides promise 'A spektakular soiree of degeneracy and bloodlust' in the Basement Bar at the Venue in New Cross on Friday (August 11th), featuring three bands: 'Luxembourg (Extravagant and alluring 5-piece angular pop, with a similar swaggering spirit to Roxy Music or early Suede), The Low Edges (Widescreen melodies and Spector-ish atmospherics from band who cite classic novels and folk tales as influences) and Gifthorse (Bedsit glamour and arch, sardonic lyrics from tragic romanticists). All this plus DJs playing '60s garage, northern soul, motown, funk and - cripes - indie until the wee hours'. Its on from 9pm-2am (£4/£3 NUS). [apologies - earlier version of this post had the wrong date - good news is you haven't missed it]