Cilla the Biopic - A Rouetmaster Moment

In October 2014 the BBC screened the biopic, Cilla. In one of the scenes, they showed Cilla meeting up with Ringo Starr in the el Cabala. They portrayed the El Kabala [sic - their incorrect spelling] coffee bar, as a greasy spoon cafe on the "Dock Road". To put the record straight I sent an email to the Sunday Times  "You Say" column in the Culture Magazine that was published on the 13th October 2014. The comment prompted several responses over the next few weeks.

"Enjoying Cilla but irritated by a "Routemaster moment". The el Cabala coffee bar, spelled with a "C" not a "K", was not a greasy spoon as depicted but Liverpool's first high-class coffee bar at 96 Bold Street, the poshest shopping street in town. Next door was la Cabala and both were owned and run by two Hungarian brothers, the Kushners. The splendid Palladian frontage is still in situ. The place to linger over a Cafe Borgia and a Sobranie Black Russian cigarette in the late 50's early 60's."

I submitted the comment with supporting evidence, a paper by Helen Taylor, "Liverpool 8 and 'Liverpool 8': The creation of social space in the Merseybeat movement" (link). She quotes from Rodger McGough's book Said and Done.

McGough’s ‘first cappuccino’, in ‘El Cabala, a glass fronted, airy café on Bold Street’, is considered a significant moment, both because of its novelty and for what it represents of this lifestyle (McGough, Said and Done: the autobiography   (London: Random House, 2005, p. 142)

This reminder of an icon of my formative years got me going particularly as it appeared from initial investigations that many of the recollections from the collective memory were as bad as the BBC's research, confusion, seemed to reign. Confusion about locations with similar names and recall of the geography was commonplace, and a bit of research was called for.

The first thing you notice is how many different (incorrect) spellings of the name there are on the internet, some by those who should know better - the BBC. The correct spelling is el Cabala, with a small e and a capital C, not a K. The site of el Cabala was 96 Bold Street, now the home of "Next to Nowhere" a bookshop. The frontage is quite distinctive with two grand Palladian granite pillars and decor. Interestingly, to confuse memories further, there was also an el Cabala in Southport owned by the same family. The Bold Street place had a mezzanine floor. It was the first place to serve Espresso coffee and Cappuccino dusted with chocolate and cinnamon. My favourite drink was a Cafe Borgia, we would probably call it a Mocha today, Milky chocolate, an expresso plus cinnamon, nutmeg sprinkle and Orange zest. Although, I think, they frequently skipped the Orange zest. Russian tea was also a favourite with many, black tea with lemon. Whatever you drank it was usually accompanied by an exotic fag, Sobranie Black Russian or Passing Cloud were my favourites but Gauloise, Lucky Strike, Camel and even Capstan Full Strength and if you were of a certain persuasion Sobranie Cocktail cigarettes were amongst the pollutants we puffed on our decadent visits to this establishment. I even graduated to a pipe at one point. As with all good academic research, I have corroborated my sources with a paper published by Helen Taylor, "Liverpool 8 and 'Liverpool 8': The creation of social space in the Merseybeat movement." Source: Exegesis (2013) 2, pp. 34-44

96 Bold Street

Fathers Day Poems by Alice Money Age 6

This year my Granddaughter Alice, age 6,
composed a collection of poems for her
daddy to give him on Father's Day. I have
to confess to have been quite blown away
by what she wrote unassisted. I helped
her compile them into a book from her
written manuscript.

For a limited time you can download a
PDF copy of the book here.

I Can't Write Poetry

Strange things happen. About eighteen

months ago, quite out of the blue I felt the

urge to write a poem. I was driving at the

time and I was thinking about the walk to

shore from my grandfather' s house that

was a familiar part of my summer holidays

as a child. I was on my way to Lancaster

University. When I arrived I went for a

coffee, pulled out my note book and started

writing. The words just came, why I am not

sure. Hitherto I had considered myself

incapable of writing a poem. I enjoy poetry

and I admire those who can write it, but

never me.

So why did I start writing poetry? I am not

sure, it may be an age thing. But they keep

on coming, often in the most unlikely

places, what I call my "bog seat moments, 

because that is where and when I seem to

 find inspiration. I don't think Wordsworth 

has much to worry about but eighteen 

months on I find myself with a collection 

of poems. So here is my first book of poems 

and the nostalgic thoughts that are often 

associated with them. 

My first book created in Blurb for my own
amusement and as a gift for friends and
family I called Remembering, because as I
said earlier the first poem I wrote was about
remembering the place I spent so many of
my childhood holidays and many oth the
other poems are also inspired by nostalgic
memories.

For a limited time you can download the
PDF version of the book here.
The file will open on most computers but
if you have a problem download a copy
of Adobe Reader to view it.

PS I am about to publish my second book of poems!

Wyre Artist in Residence - People Places & Conversation

Wyre Borough Council in partnership with LeftCoast are offering the opportunity of 5 artists in residence commissions for Wyre based contemporary artists.

The residencies will be an opportunity for artists to work in non-familiar locations and use the opportunity to engage with communities, staff and/or the general public to inform the project that is produced.

The residencies will be based within specifically chosen, non-art spaces for the artist to engage with those different audiences.  The commissions are about people and place; finding the stories of the everyday and revealing something about the lives of Wyre.

The artist commissions can be from any art form from digital art, photography, film, to more traditional art forms of drawing, painting or 3D work. The selection panel will be most interested in how this opportunity can be interpreted through ideas and the approach to working with people and location.

Finally the commissioned artists in residence will be invited to bring their projects together into an exhibition or publication to be shown somewhere in Wyre. It will be the role of the exhibiting artists to co-ordinate and curate the exhibition, find a suitable location or touring opportunities. Marketing and organisational support will be provided by Wyre Council and LeftCoast.

It will be the responsibility of the 5 successful artists to co-ordinate when their projects have been completed and when they would like the exhibition to happen. The end of the whole project will need to be no later than the 31 March 2016. 

Degree Shows and Art Exhibition Dates 2015

UPDATED

• Lancaster University: Unearthed: 17th - 24th June
• UCLan Creative Focus: 12th June - 20th June 
• Blackburn College: now - 5th June
• Liverpool John Moore's University: 29th May - 12th June
• Manchester School of Art: 13th June - 24th June
• D&AD New Blood Exhibition: 1st July - 2nd July
• Free Range Shows: 29th May - 13th July
• Royal Academy Summer Exhibition:  8th June - 16th August
• a-n degree show listings

Click links for more information,

Exhibition of Work at the Grand Theatre Blackpool

Click to enlarge

I have been invited to exhibit nine pieces of my Blackpool themed work at the iconic Grand Theatre in the centre of Blackpool.  Built in 1894 The Grand Theatre is the work of the proclaimed Victorian Theatre architect, Frank Matcham. My work is on display in the Stalls Bar. The work is based on familiar and iconic scenes that capture the history and unique aspects of Blackpool as a holiday destination. The work will be on show until the end of the 2015 season. Prints of the work in A2 and A1 sizes are available from the Grand Theatre box office or by Post. The original art work is also for sale.

The work starts life as digital photographs, the final impressionistic images are influenced by my interest in the French art form of affiches lacérées or torn posters. The finished artwork is the product of a combination of computer manipulation and a mixed media polymer transfer printing process that results in the final image being uniquely, randomly distressed.

The exhibition runs from June to September 2015. For access times please check with The Grand Theatre website.

To see further examples of my artwork visit my website

The Grand Theatre - Blackpool

Women in the City - Liverpool Photography Festival

Women in the City

As part of the Liverpool Photography Festival 15 - 31st May 2015 to celebrate the visit of three famous Queens: Mary II, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria,  There was a call for photographers to submit their images celebrating Women in the City, to showcase in our online gallery. From female photographers, to images of the women we admire;shots of majestic liners and Grandmothers entertaining the young, let your imagination run wild, capture and share your moments in Liverpool.

I submitted two photographs from my maternal Grandfathers photograph archive. William Turner had a Tattooing and Photographic studio on Lime Street in the early 1900's. He was well connected with the circus and music hall folk...

The photographs are on an outdoor display in Thomas Steers Way in the Liverpool One shopping mall. The upper one is of my great grandmother preparing Sunday dinner in the backyard. The other is of Annie Jones the bearded woman. A famous member of the Barnum and Bailey Circus. 

Photographs by Johnny Parker

Making a Whole Room Camera Obscura - BBC Video

Photographer Abelardo Morell (http://www.abelardomorell.net) turns the room of Venetian palace into a gigantic camera using the ancient technology of the Camera Obscura, as featured in the new BBC series 'The Genius of Photography'.

Creating a Room Camera Obscura is part of my PhD Art Practice. 

Chang Celebration Artwork Unveiling - Everton FC

Presentation and unveiling of  the Chang Beer Bottle Top art work at Everton Football Club. The artwork was fixed to the wall at the entrance to the Directors Car Park at Goodison Park.

The artwork is constructed from 1500 Chang beer bottle tops selected from over 5000 tops collected by Chang beer outlets over the previous year. The tops were embedded in resin and a laser cut brushed stainless steel outline of the famous Everton club logo applied to the surface along with the words 10 Years to commemorate the longest shirt sponsorship partnership in the Premiership. 

I am grateful to Dot-Art, Liverpool for the commission.

The Making of Chang Art Work for Everton FC - Work in Progress

Sorting the good beer bottle tops from the bad... Only an other 5000 to go

Computer generated visual of final artwork...

Everton Crest Logo 

Testing patterns for the tops layout

Resin embedding test piece

Finished polyester resin casting

Full size artwork for laser cut stainless steel 

Positioning stencil for the stainless steel parts

Laser cut stainless steel as received

Stainless steel pieces in-situ

Finished Artwork

Link to unveiling and presentation at Everton FC, Goodison Park

The Making of Chang Art Work for Everton FC - Test Piece Video

A short video showing the creation of a test piece fibre glass resin base for the artwork. This was to get the hang of using polyester resin and fibreglass reinforcement. 

Lost Inventions Fantastic Creations Exhibition

 


At BASELINE 67 -71 Victoria Street Blackpool, FY1 4RJ, at the rear of Marks and Spencer in the pederstrianised area.

Lost Inventions Fantastic Creations is a light hearted coming together of artists, inventors and engineers via open invitations and workshops aimed at those creative types of people who tinker about in garden sheds or sketch down those "next big thing" ideas.

My contribution to the exhibition is in the form of two Drawing Machines.

This drawing machine is vaguely based on principles of the Guilloché Drawing Machines. These were invented to apply the intricate repetitive radial engravings on watch and clock parts and for the creation of security print designs for banknotes. Typically machines are pieces of fine engineering employing three computer controlled motors. The patterns are known as Lissajous curves. The technique has also been used in the creation of jewellery including Faberge eggs.


The concept has been appropriated and simplified for the construction of a wide range of drawing machines. This is one such machine and was the first one I constructed. It developed into the MK2 version which is also on show at this exhibition. The concept is in the process of development with a view to exploring this approach to mechanised drawing using a range of simple materials and recycled components.



This machine uses a pair of synchronous electric motors, one from a motorised valve and the other from a microwave. Other components have been salvaged from a venetian blind and an old Meccano set, plus bits and pieces of junk.

More sophisticated versions employing computer controlled motors are in the prototype stage of development.

MK2 Drawing Machine

Guilloché Drawing Machines were invented to apply the intricate repetitive radial engravings on watch and clock parts and for the creation of security print designs for banknotes. Typically machines are pieces of fine engineering employing three computer controlled motors. The patterns are known as Lissajous curves. The technique has also been used in the creation of jewellery including Faberge eggs.

The concept has been appropriated and simplified for the construction of a wide range of drawing machines. This is one such machine which is in the process of development with a view to exploring this approach to mechanised drawing. More sophisticated versions employing both gear boxes and computer controlled motors are in the prototype stage of development.

Banksy Visits Poulton le Fylde, Wink...

A piece of Banksy style stencil art, "Little Girl with Red Balloon", mysteriously appears on the wall of Pulci Pizza, popular Poulton eating place, one Sunday morning while owner Alex was away on holiday. Alex is delighted but puzzled...

Photo Mural Installation

I was asked by a friend who owns The Market Place lettings agency in Breck Road, Poulton le Fylde, to help with the refurbishment of his office by installing a feature wall photo mural. Appropriately he decided upon an original Francis Frith photograph of the Market Place in Poulton le Fylde, taken about 1955. The photograph shows Poulton in the days when the Market Place was open to traffic, quite quaint to see a bus parked in the Square. Another interesting find was a shop front with the name Parker on it. I digress

The Mural was sourced and licensed from the Francis Frith collection. It was printed and supplied in 6 pieces by Printed Space, Morecambe. The installation was relatively problem free, despite this being the first such mural that I have installed. The finished work is 17 x 8 ft. I am pleased to say the client was blown away, not literally, he was as they say chuffed. Passers by get dragged in off the street to experience the 3D experience of walking into a 1955 Poulton Market Place.

St Chads - Poulton le Fylde - Faux Effects

St Chads from Thatched House Gate - Old Glass Plate Photograph

 St Chads from Thatched House Gate - Tintype Photograph

St Chads from Thatched House Gate - Mixed Media

 St Chads from Thatched House Gate - Sketch Style Photograph

Charity Auction - Donation

Liver Buildings - Alistair Parker

I have donated a piece of work to the Deloitte charity auction for the Greenbank Project..... on-line bids accepted, please show your support.... further information check link below or contact Dot-Art, Liverpool.

http://www.greenbank-project.org.uk/index.php/support-us-3/charity-art-auction

See more of my work at www.alistairparkerart.com

Arrogance: An Exhibition of Contemporary Portrait Painting

Arrogance an exhibition of contemporary portrait painting  by recent Blackpool Art College graduate Anton Byrne-Carter. Blackpool based Anton is a gifted artist and his portrait style is becoming increasingly sought after. Anton is currently engaged on a commission for a portrait of ex Blackpool and now Liverpool footballer Charlie Adams.


Till  30th October, at Village Market Place, ArtSpOt, Poulton le Fylde,  9 till 5 Monday to Saturday, entry free. 
The entrance to the exhibition space is from the Teanlowe Centre Carpark, next to the Post Office.


See more of Antons work at www.antonart.co.uk follow him on Twitter @antonart123 and Like him on Facebook

Exhibition "Four Dark Corners"

Lytham St Annes Windmill in the Spring

A exhibition of photography by Alistair Parker, titled "Four Dark Corners" has opened at The Library, Poulton le Fylde. The exhibition is open Monday to Saturday and runs until 3rd December 2010.

"Four Dark Corners" is an eclectic collection of fine art images with a distinctly vintage feel. Alistair's grainy, soft focus treatment gives an "old camera" look to the photographs. A style much loved by the "Holga/Lomo film camera enthusiasts, cameras which are currently enjoying a massive resurgence in popularity.

Each image is contained in the same battered old frame that was picked up in a charity shop, adding to the vintage look. The first time I showed this exhibition it was interesting to watch people getting close-up to the images to see if the frame was real. It isn't of course, it is part of the printed image.

SYMPTOMATIC an Exhibition by James Whyham

James is in his third year of a Fine Art and Professional Practice BA (Hons) degree at Blackpool Art College. The works on display are experimental pieces produced during the first and second year of the degree.


James states that;:-

"Mark making and gesture is my main area of interest and I have been investigating how gesture, mark making and surface communicate or define identity and how individual decisions form and influence wider social and political contexts or visa versa. My mark making is an attempt to trace the fluidity and transient nature of consciousness and an attempt to avoid the tendency of language and image articulation to form certain mindsets and fracture perception into a series of moments."

The work is on display at Village Walks ArtSpOt, Poulton le Fylde, from 24th September to 30th October, Monday to Saturday, entry free. The entrance to the exhibition space is from the Teanlowe Centre carpark, between the Post Office and Ethel Austins or from Queensway.

AMALGAM - Art Exhibition at Village Walks Poulton le Fylde

Exhibit 1 Abuse Kills - Sue McAuley

AMALGAM - An exhibition of contemporary art at Village Walks, Poulton le Fylde. A selection of work by the 2nd Year Fine Art degree students from Blackpool Art School, Palatine Road.

19th July to 28th August, Monday to Saturday 9.00 till 5.00 Free entry. Entrance next to Post Office.