Tessellation Appreciation

BBC Television Centre

Thank you @katiespink1 for inviting me to a tour of the soon to be defunct BBC Television Centre at White City - which is due to close on 29th March 2013 after 53 years of broadcasting. It is to become luxury apartments.

As I wondered around the famous circular corridors, it was sad to note that the building was already half empty with any removable memorabilia such as signs and pictures evidently ripped off the walls, as employees search for mementos to remind them of a golden era of British broadcasting.

During my visit I was lucky enough to bump into telly legend Huw Edwards on his last day at White City’s BBC TV Centre, who was also talking photos of the iconic circular architecture. Every ounce the professional he confessed it was a sad day for him but was nevertheless looking forward to the new news room at Portland Place.

Fun facts [lovingly borrowed from Wikipedia]

• Officially opened on 29 June 1960
• It is the second oldest operating television studio in the United Kingdom after Granada Studios
• The first programme it broadcast was First Night with David Nixon in Studio Three
• The overall design for Television Centre, from the air, appears to be like a question mark in shape. The architect was Graham Dawbarn CBE (Norman & Dawbarn)
• Parts of it are now a Grade II listed building and thus protected from demolition

Above are some photos of the architecture, tiles, mural and lighting both inside and outside BBC TV Centre.

William Patten School, N16

Located on the lower west side of yummy mummy central; Stoke Newington Church Street, these school walls just opposite Whole Foods are where I first heard the words “babycino”. Yes, hot milk for infants, from a barista.

Until recently the school grounds were also the host of a farmer’s market every weekend. I kid thee not.

The school walls, however, are rather lovely. Hand crafted tiles and mosaics depict birds, children and even a fried breakfast. 

Internet research tells me nothing about their origin or creator, but a link to the school’s website, just in case you wanted to know more about this educational institution, can be found here.

Regent’s Canal, Islington N1 (part 2)

Fish mosaic benches accompany the murals made by Hanover Primary School. No explanation is given. Do we need one? No. Fish mosaic benches next to a canal should never need justification. They are conveniently located about halfway as you walk from Hackney to Camden, next to a very interesting lock, so would recommend a nice sit down at this juncture.

Regent’s Canal, Islington N1 (part 1)

According to the blurb, these mosaics made by the pupils at Hanover Primary School working with artists Carina Wyatt and Cathy Ludlow in partnership with Cally Arts and the Islington local2global project.

Why? To celebrate the diversity of people, past and present, in the Islington area. Slightly schmaltzy but nevertheless a fine example of mosaics as public art.

NYC

Thank you to @gnarlyripped and @momosek for sending me these great shots taken from the New York subway last week. Sad to hear their Hipsters aren’t as trendy as ours, how disappointing. I hope the pancakes and waffles made up for it though. I’m always suspicious of how friendly everyone is in New York - sad isn’t it that London has turned me into such a cynical and sceptical bint.

Have nice day.