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Elliott Brown Environment & green action
24 Aug 2022 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

PoliNations coming to Victoria Square in September 2022

PoliNations is coming to Victoria Square from the 2nd to 18th September 2022. A free event. Following the end of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, this is part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival, and they are putting it up in the last three weeks of August 2022. Elliott got a first glimpse on Saturday 20th August 2022 on passing through Victoria Square.

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PoliNations coming to Victoria Square in September 2022





PoliNations is coming to Victoria Square from the 2nd to 18th September 2022. A free event. Following the end of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, this is part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival, and they are putting it up in the last three weeks of August 2022. Elliott got a first glimpse on Saturday 20th August 2022 on passing through Victoria Square.


PoliNations is part of Unboxed Creativity in the UK. During the last three weeks of August 2022, after the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games things were dismantled (including Hew Locke's Foreign Exchange on the Queen Victoria statue). PoliNations moved in.

The free event is due to take place from the 2nd to 18th September 2022.

Step into a spectacular city-centre garden of magical proportions where you will be welcomed by an epic array of colour and nature.  

Giant architectural trees and thousands of plants will transform Victoria Square into an urban oasis, which will host free events, workshops and performances including live music, dance, spoken word and drag.

This supernatural wonderland uncovers the origin stories of the plants we know so well – daisies, pansies, apple trees, roses – in fact these, and most of the plants we see in our gardens are not from the UK. They tell the story of journeys, movement, dispersal, and new roots. 

PoliNations is a celebration of colour, beauty, and of natural diversity. Explore, enjoy and be your true unique self. You can experience music from around the world, an incredible light show each evening, and a grand finale like no other where the tree’s canopies will burst into a joyful cloud of confetti and colour.  

This is Carnival and Holi combined in one brilliant, messy, playful party and everyone is invited.

 

I first spotted the giant trees from Chamberlain Square.

dndimg alt="PoliNations" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PoliNations%20Vic%20Sq%2020082022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%" />

 

Heading into Victoria Square, the PoliNations construction is all fenced off at the moment.

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They encourage people to get public transport to PoliNations, including the West Midlands Metro, get off at Town Hall Tram Stop. Also in walking distance of the main railway stations and your bus stops.

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The statue of Queen Victoria has been returned to normal after two months as Hew Locke's Foreign Exchange.

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Key to the City ended on the 7th August, so it will no longer be possible to get views of Victoria Square from the 18th floor balcony like before.

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Heading down Pinfold Street, then catching a view of a tram heading up towards Victoria Square and the PoliNations trees.

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dndimg alt="PoliNations" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PoliNations%20Vic%20Sq%2020082022%20(11).JPG" style="width: 100%" />

 

I will probably get more photos of PoliNations over the next couple of weekends, and probably in September as well (if time).

 

Photos by Elliott Brown

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70 passion points
Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
16 Aug 2022 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

The World Reimagined - a painted globes trail around Birmingham City Centre

The World Reimagined is a trail of painted globes in Birmingham and other UK cities, from mid August to the end of October 2022. There is eight globes to find in Birmingham City Centre.

 

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The World Reimagined - a painted globes trail around Birmingham City Centre





The World Reimagined is a trail of painted globes in Birmingham and other UK cities, from mid August to the end of October 2022. There is eight globes to find in Birmingham City Centre.

 


The World Reimagined Birmingham trail

 

St Martin in the Bullring at St Martin's Square, Bullring

Spirit of the Diaspora by Pauline Bailey

dndimg alt="The World Reimagined" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TWD%20%20St%20Martins%20Sq%2008082022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Cathedral Square - corner of Temple Row and St Philip's Place

Dear Archives by Glory Samjolly

dndimg alt="The World Reimagined" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TWD%20St%20Philips%20Pl%2008082022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Unity by Gabriel Choto

dndimg alt="The World Reimagined" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TWD%20St%20Philips%20Pl%2008082022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Hippodrome Square at Hurst Street, Southside

A Code For A Better Future by Jess Perrin

dndimg alt="The World Reimagined" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TWD%20Hippodrome%20Sq%2013082022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

City Centre Gardens off Cambridge Street, Westside

Sacred Healing Wisdom by Gayani Ariyaratne

dndimg alt="The World Reimagined" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TWD%20City%20Centre%20Gdns%2013082022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Golden Square near Vyse Street, Jewellery Quarter

The Love From Africa by Kassessa Gandara

dndimg alt="The World Reimagined" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TWD%20JQ%2014082022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Augusta Street at Warstone Lane, Jewellery Quarter

Voyage Of The Guineamen by Donna Newman

dndimg alt="The World Reimagined" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TWD%20JQ%2014082022%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

St Paul's Square, towards Ludgate Hill, Jewellery Quarter

Abstraction Be Damned by Tamika Galanis

dndimg alt="The World Reimagined" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TWD%20JQ%2014082022%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Outside of the City Centre there is two more on the trail in Newtown. And there might be more inside of Millennium Point, the Library of Birmingham and at the Roundhouse.

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

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70 passion points
Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
28 Jun 2022 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

Walk with Little Amal in Birmingham on the 23rd June 2022

Little Amal is a 3.5 metre puppet of a ten year old Syrian refugee girl. She walked around Birmingham on Thursday 23rd June 2022 from Victoria Square via Chamberlain Square to Centenary Square. Lots of people followed her, and school children were there as well. She has travelled through over 70 cities in 12 countries. The UK tour of 19th to 27th June 2022.

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Walk with Little Amal in Birmingham on the 23rd June 2022





Little Amal is a 3.5 metre puppet of a ten year old Syrian refugee girl. She walked around Birmingham on Thursday 23rd June 2022 from Victoria Square via Chamberlain Square to Centenary Square. Lots of people followed her, and school children were there as well. She has travelled through over 70 cities in 12 countries. The UK tour of 19th to 27th June 2022.


The Walk (Little Amal)

New Steps New Friends is a tour of the UK from the 19th to 27th June 2022.

She started her remarkable journey in 2021 crossing the Syria / Turkey border, across Europe in search of her mother and to fine a new home. She travelled over 8,000km representing all displaced children, many separated from their families and carried the urgent message "Don't forget about us".

She has travelled through over 70 cities in 12 countries and has been welcomed at more than 160 events, reaching 875,000 people along her route and millions more online.

In June 2022, one year on from leaving Syria she is exploring her new country, visiting towns and cities across the UK, meeting old friends and making new ones.

Today hundreds of thousands of children who have fled war and persecution need our support to get an education and to rebuild their lives. To try to help they have launched The Amal Fund with Choose Love. Visit walkwithamal.org/the-amal-fund/ to find out more.

 

Little Amal walks around Birmingham

Little Amal was in Birmingham City Centre between 11:30am and 1pm on Thursday 23rd June 2022.

The schedule was for people to gather in Victoria Square at 11:30am.

Then the walk began at 12pm and would last until about 12:50pm.

After Victoria Square, she would go around Chamberlain Square.

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Then up Centenary Way past Paradise Birmingham.

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Ending in Centenary Square.

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Photography by Elliott Brown

 

After Birmingham, Little Amal visited Bristol, London, Stonehenge and even the Glastonbury Festival! She ended her journey at Folkestone on the 27th June 2022.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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60 passion points
Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
20 Jun 2022 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

"Foreign Exchange" by Hew Locke: reimagined statue of Queen Victoria in Victoria Square

As part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival, artist Hew Locke has transformed Birmingham's statue of Queen Victoria in Victoria Square. The artwork is called "Foreign Exchange" and has certainly opened up a range of conversations. Unveiled on 14th June 2022, it will remain in the Square until August 2022. Photos taken by Elliott and Daniel.

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"Foreign Exchange" by Hew Locke: reimagined statue of Queen Victoria in Victoria Square





As part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival, artist Hew Locke has transformed Birmingham's statue of Queen Victoria in Victoria Square. The artwork is called "Foreign Exchange" and has certainly opened up a range of conversations. Unveiled on 14th June 2022, it will remain in the Square until August 2022. Photos taken by Elliott and Daniel.


Birmingham's statue of Queen Victoria was originally unveiled in 1901. Made of marble by Sir Thomas Brock. It was the idea of the founder of the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, who wanted to present a statue of the Queen to the City, during her Diamond Jubilee year of 1897. It was finally unveiled 12 days before the Queen's death.

50 years later, the statue had got quite weathered, and the orb was badly damaged during VE Day in 1945.

The statue was removed in 1951, and was cast in bronze by William Bloye. This was all thanks to the Birmingham Civic Society.

More recently, the missing tip of the sceptre was recast and added in 2011, then the Birmingham Civic Society had the statue fully cleaned in 2018.

Here are some photos of the work of artist Hew Locke called "Foreign Exchange" prior to the unveiling.

Saturday 11th June

Views from the 18th floor balcony of 103 Colmore Row.

dndimg alt="Foreign Exchange Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hew Locke QV V103 11062022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Foreign Exchange Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hew Locke QV V103 11062022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

In Victoria Squaredndimg alt="Foreign Exchange Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2593b_VICR.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Foreign Exchange Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2731b_VICR.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Daniel Sturley 

Sunday 12th June

By Sunday afternoon, workmen had installed a helmet on top of the original statue of Queen Victoria.

dndimg alt="Foreign Exchange Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hew Locke FE Queen Vic 12062022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Foreign Exchange Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hew Locke FE Queen Vic 12062022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Foreign Exchange Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hew Locke FE Queen Vic 12062022 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Foreign Exchange Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hew Locke FE Queen Vic 12062022 (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Foreign Exchange Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hew Locke FE Queen Vic 12062022 (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

dndimg alt="Foreign Exchange Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2888b_VICR.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Foreign Exchange Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2919b_VICR.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Foreign Exchange Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2924b_VICR.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Foreign Exchange Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2939b_VICR.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Foreign Exchange Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2985b_VICR.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Foreign Exchange Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_3028b_VICR.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Foreign Exchange Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_3059b_VICR.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Daniel Sturley

The unveiling of the statue has certainly created a stir and opened up a conversation, as no doubt intended by the artist and those commissioning the work.

Locke’s vision behind the art is to create “an object of veneration, leading a battalion of other statues to represent the home nation throughout the Empire.”

 

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80 passion points
Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
31 May 2022 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Summer 2022 umbrellas between The Mailbox Canalside and The Cube

The Mailbox has put up colourful umbrellas on the Canalside near the bars and restaurants, on the paths towards The Cube. They will be up for the duration of Summer 2022. No guarantee of keeping you dry from the wind and rain though!

Enjoy this post of five photos.

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Summer 2022 umbrellas between The Mailbox Canalside and The Cube





The Mailbox has put up colourful umbrellas on the Canalside near the bars and restaurants, on the paths towards The Cube. They will be up for the duration of Summer 2022. No guarantee of keeping you dry from the wind and rain though!

Enjoy this post of five photos.


You can either approach the umbrellas from The Mailbox, at the exit to the Canalside, or head up the path from Holliday Street. Alternatively come from The Cube, or from Gas Street Basin and over the Salvage Turn Bridge.

The umbrellas are black, red, white, and green.

They on the upper level near Six Sixes and Miller & Carter, and the lower level near Zizzi and Churchills.

Oh and if you visit in late May / early June 2022, you will probably see the Union Jack bunting for HM the Queen's Platinum Jubilee!

dndimg alt="Mailbox umbrellas" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Umb Mailbox 25052022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Mailbox umbrellas" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Umb Mailbox 25052022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Mailbox umbrellas" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Umb Mailbox 25052022 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Mailbox umbrellas" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Umb Mailbox 25052022 (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Mailbox umbrellas" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Umb Mailbox 25052022 (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

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