Every year, Blue Square blossoms into a wonderland. The cherry trees wake up from the long winter months, and the blossoms that appear are captivating, making the square look beautiful. The trees are arranged in front of the Icon Gallery, where the warm brick contrasts with the soft cream colour of the blossoms.
People flock to the square to take pictures of the blossom.
Many people converge on the square, with celebrations ranging from Eastern European dance performances to Asian cultural gatherings. The arrival of the blossoms draws in people from all over Birmingham. Capturing a unique picture of the square has now become a challenge, as so many photographers have documented it over the years—some even choose to stay away, feeling they have seen it all.
The view from the IKON and the bench under the blossom.
However, I still enjoy visiting the square and taking pictures whenever I have the opportunity. These are the results of my yearly visits since the start of my blog, and it is fascinating to compare the images over time.
The IKON gallery with reflections in the nearby restaurant windows.
This is an account of last year’s blossoms in the square.
Oozells Square has featured on my blog over the years. The appearance of the pink blossom on the trees heralds the start of spring in Birmingham. The square becomes a riot of pink colour and is a magnet for photographers. This year, the blossom has arrived very early by about 2 weeks. The warm wet winter has enabled the blossom to flower at the beginning of March. Whenever the blossom appears then people flock to the area especially at the weekends. On a bright sunny Monday morning, I had the square to myself bar a few people passing through. The sun was low enough to catch some of the blossom with its rays producing lovely colours. As luck would have it a few people passed by dressed in pink which matched the blossom. Taking photographs in the square is very competitive as many people will arrive over the next few weeks to get a picture. People dress up specially and families bring picnics to sit out and admire the blossom. The IKON gallery is an ideal backdrop to the blossom. Please feel free to visit my other posts on the blossom.
The Sun catches people walking through the square.Standing under the blossom.Time to move on.The blossom will be around for the next few weeks.
For the most part of the year, Oozells square in Birmingham is unremarkable. The square is surrounded by office buildings on 3 sides and the IKON art gallery on another. This latter building is a grand Victorian building which was formerly a boarding school. There are several good restaurants in the square which have hosted family meals in the past. In spring, the square is transformed into a beautiful place by several rows of trees that burst into cherry blossom.
The IKON gallery emerging from the blossom that surrounds the building.
The event is becoming more and more famous having been featured this year on the BBC News. We went with the family to see the blossom and get the obligatory pictures. Here Noah is reaching upwards mesmerised by the blossom. Soon the green leaves will appear. Noah’s coat contrasts well with the pink.
Noah reaching out towards the blossoms.Lily, Noah and Chloë, my grandchildren with the blossom in the background.Lily, Noah and Chloë, my grandchildren with the blossom and the IKON gallery in the background.
The event is enjoyed by all ages but as you see from the pictures, my grandchildren had a fantastic time seeing the cherry blossom. The BBC News item has made the blossom event famous at a National Level.
The IKON gallery with cherry blossom trees and admiring visitors.
My next visits with #keytothecitybrum involved both a train station and a football ground. This is an account of my travels to two different venues.
New Street Train Station
Having passed through New Street Train station countless times, I wondered what surprise the key would provide. The instructions were to go the end of platform one and announce your arrival at the door. There was a wait as a prior party made the visit and then it was my turn. There were two members of staff who took me down the stairs. One of them, worked at the station but had never seen the underground tunnels. We walked along an access tunnel and then we entered the area under the platforms. Whilst you were allowed to take pictures along this access corridor, I was given strict instructions not to take pictures of the tunnels under the platforms. These tunnels were originally used to connect with the Mailbox for mail delivery. They are now used to deliver refreshments to the trains that pass through New Street. This was a good key location and gave access to a very interesting part of the City of Birmingham.
Access to the tunnels under New Street Station.Approaching the door.Door to the secret tunnelsPlatform 1 and #b2022Selfie at New Street Station
A trip to the Hawthorns
Taking part in the #keyofthecitybrum is not just about the places you visit. The key allows you to meet people who live and work in the West Midlands. My journey with the key took me to the Hawthorns, the home of West Bromwich Albion Football club. My key worked in the lock and when opened, the door led to a viewing platform where you could view the football stadium. The picture is of Leah who works in the WBA Club shop. Leah opened the door to the ground and introduced me to the football club. She and her colleague were good company. We talked about her father who is a lifelong WBA football supporter. In turn, I talked about my love of Manchester City. Two of my boyhood heroes were Jeff Astle and Tony Brown even though they did not play for my beloved City. I told Leah that I remember WBA winning the FA cup in 1968 as it was the year before City won the cup. This stadium is a very friendly place and happens to be one of my favourite football grounds. I just like the Hawthorns and thank you to “Key of the City Brum” for allowing me to visit once again.
Leah with the background of the pitch.The plaque commemorating WBA’s historyApproaching the door.The Lock against the blue door.The Hawthorns, home to West Bromwich Albion
My Journey with the Key If you wish to review my journey then I have published all my visits on my blog as follows.
Now that the #keytothecitybrum project is over, I can reveal my full journey around the sites. I have grouped them into themes whether I visited the sites on the same day or the story of the unlocking the venues were linked together by themes. The first Chapter was described earlier in my blog where I picked up my key and visited my first venue “Artfull Expression”.
This chapter covers the story of my visits to the IKON Gallery, Symphony Hall and Selfridges.
kon Gallery
My second key venue took me to the IKON gallery. When we arrived, the receptionist on the front desk gave us directions. Our key opened a rather inconspicuous cupboard in the entrance hall. Once opened there were the letters ‘Miss You’ lit up in Neon. That was the surprise and I laughed out loud. I loved the installation.
Art work by SavageA view from belowVery pleased to open my second door.The IKON GalleryOpening the door with the key
My photo buddy, Nicky was convinced there was something else and looked for some form of opening beyond the cupboard space. The reception staff were very knowledgeable and helpful, explaining that this neon letter writing was created by the artist Savage who had lifted the letters from Graffiti in the City of Birmingham. I did return to the IKON gallery to see the “Made in Birmingham/Made in Sydney” exhibition as this was advertised during my visit.
Symphony Hall
I realise that the #keytothecityBrum is a large undertaking and that many people are going to descend on your location. The Symphony Hall had placed an ornate box which the key opened. Once inside there was a QR code to scan which linked to a YouTube channel. I understand that if you were lucky there were prizes to be gained but we were not winners.
Opening the boxA QR code is revealed.WE have a yellow box with a lock.Just a QR code
I was disillusioned with the venue as the Symphony Hall looked uninviting, and the box office personnel were not that interested in what was taking place. Compared to the other venues, this was the most disappointing. The success gained from this location was that we had used our key, opened the box and therefore another key location was done. I left thinking that so much more could have been done and it was an opportunity missed.
Selfridges
This was a fun door to open and Selfridges had put a lot of thought into what you would find. The key gave you access to the music system in the menswear floor of Selfridges. It was a bright yellow compartment with a bright yellow door. Once inside you accessed a touch screen that allowed you to add your choice of music being played in the store. My choice was “Whiskey in the Jar” by Thin Lizzy. The bright yellow colours against the dark surrounds were a photographer’s dream and I had fun taking lots of pictures. Well done Selfridges. To oversee the music in the menswear department was an inspired choice.
Opening the door.Inside the yellow booth.My choice for the music.Chatting outside the box.My visit to the Menswear floor at Selfridges.
My Journey with the Key If you wish to review my journey then I have published all my visits on my blog as follows.
Amongst all the excitement along the colourful streets of Birmingham, there is another success story of the city taking place during the Commonwealth Games. Wandering over to Oozells square and there is a public art display that has the power to match the other artistic events that are taking place. The IKON gallery features an exhibition of the work of three artists: Yhonnie Scarce, Salote Tawale and Osman Yousefzada. The work is diverse yet integrated and visual. They come together on subjects that cover different themes. Having my camera with me was a real bonus as each art installation offers opportunities for picture taking. The exhibits are on the first floor and all three have the necessary space which allows you to appreciate them. The first room I entered contained The Need Breeder (2002) by Australian Aboriginal Artist, Yhonnie Scarce. Suspended from the ceiling were 600 glass droplets each having different shades of opacity. The installation was mesmerising with the light falling on the different shapes allowing a range of interpretations. What they represent is the crystallisation of the Australia desert following British Nuclear tests in the fifties. Together the glass droplets represent a nuclear explosion. Each droplet represents the death from nuclear tests. Powerful, moving and relevant in this present political climate.
The overall powerful view of the art work.
Details of the glass dropletsThe glass droplets.The exhibition has individually designed glass droplets.
The next room had three video projections which spanned the room. The film that ran for around 9 minutes was put together by Osman Yousefyaza. Having met Osman at a Moseley Coffee house, I immediately felt a connection. Spaces of Transcendence (2022) is a film that was made in Pakistan and contains powerful moving images of rituals set against a captivating backdrop of the country. There were gestures and facial close ups that pulled me into the story without words. I found the throw of the cloth into the saucers containing colour water fascinating. The main characters in the film absorbed my intention. I can not work out if the film is on a loop as there was no introduction or end just a complete immersion in the imagery. I loved it.
Mixture of architecture and human shape.Hand gestures and colours.
It was nearly closing time at the IKON when I came into the room with the instillation by Salote Tamale called YOU, ME, ME, YOU. There were three TV screens as distinct to Osman’s work which was projected on much larger screens. A continuous video was playing that darted from one theme to another. There were underwater pictures and then scenes in a tropical jungle. It was a different but refreshing approach to the presentation by Osman in the previous room. Slowly my eyes took notice of the decoration of the room and the recurring pattern. After a while it was this that started to demand my attention. The repeating colourful pattern needed to be photographed as you will see.
The TV monitors contrast with the vibrant background.Love those patterns!
The exhibition was excellent and I felt a sense of calm coming away from the IKON Gallery. The exhibition coincides the Birmingham 2022 games and there will be many people arriving into Birmingham from different places and cultures. The work of these three artists starts to unravel and re-ravel the different interactions of people around the world. Birmingham is privileged to be able to host this unique display of art at the IKON gallery.
My pictures of these artists work provide a simple snapshot of this moving visit and there is more information about each artist on the web.
Oozells square in the westside of Birmingham is unremarkable other than the IKON gallery which is on one side of the square. The IKON is a highly acclaimed contemporary art venue and when you have finished looking over the latest exhibits, take a well earned rest in Yorks coffee shop. However in the months of March and April the square erupts with cherry blossom and becomes one of the most photographed squares in Birmingham. I also took many photographs. The square was featured in a BBC news and my photograph was included. I have also added a few more of my own in this post.
A favourite reflection is produced around the water featurethe blossom turns and ordinary square into the extraordinary.A traditional view of the blossom with the IKON in the background.Another traditional view of the blossom in the square.
Selfridges is always on my list as a building to photograph. It has featured in many of my picture books over the years. I have even written a blog about the building which includes several of my pictures. The building is striking with the discs spread over an amorphous design. I love the building and it has come to be one of the iconic images of the City. I also like shopping in the store as the interior design is appealing but that is another story. If you want to know more, there are several good sources of information about the design and history of the architectural design.
Sunset fire over Selfridges and look closely some discs are missingMissing disc highlighted by the sunrise
In 2020, problems with the attachment of the discs to the building began to surface and this is evident in my pictures. A decision was made by Selfridges to undertake the refurbishment and replacement of all the discs on the building. There are 15,000 discs and it will take some time to replace them. The original makers of the discs no longer exist and new constructors were required. The story may be followed up in the news media when in November 2020, the official reports of the replacement began.
The Scaffolding going up followed by the Infinity pattern 1
The Infinity pattern 1 will protect the workers replacing the discs
The canvas covers all of the building
It was during Lockdown #2 that scaffolding began to go up around the store. So as to protect the construction workers and the scaffolding, an eye-catching temporary skin has been put in place. The striking art structure is called “Infinity pattern 1” and is designed by Birmingham born artist and interdisciplinary designer, Osman Yousefzada. It is intended to be a “message of hope” to the people of Birmingham. The design was drawn up in conjunction with the IKON Gallery. The colours are striking and are best viewed in the sunlight which picks up the shades of red. The installation is temporary as the replacement of all the discs will be completed in time for the Commonwealth games in 2022. Therefore whilst it is on view, I encourage you to wander down to Birmingham and see Osman’s creation. The visit will be worthwhile.
Taken from the walkway linking the store to the car park
There is even a walkway underneath where you catch the buses
Contrasts with the work around the City
The fully covered building
These photographs show how Osman’s artwork interacts with the City and the people. The pictures tell the story of the loss of the discs, the placement of the scaffolding and the final structure. There is merchandise in the store that feature the Infinity Pattern 1 on them. The colours and the design pattern lend themselves to pictures and I like the picture with my daughter looking out over Birmingham with the Infinity Pattern 1 behind her.
My daughter looks out over the street below.A favourite Birmingham viewpoint. This time with Osman’s Infinity Pattern 1.
Every year this arguably unremarkable square bursts into a riot of colour which is provided by the blossom on the two rows of trees on either side of the square. I am being harsh about the square, as it does have the IKON gallery which is an imposing building at one end. The blossom and the white pebbles of the square are beautifully offset by the IKON gallery. This display only takes place for a few weeks of the year. It is enjoyable taking the pictures and my iPhone picture of the square was featured on the late night news.
Sunny morning in the squareBlossomTreesTree shapeGreat start to the dayA row of treesBranches
The Birmingham Gems Calendar is back and I am fortunate to have one Photograph in this years Edition. I have secured the month of May and it is when the blossoms are in full riot. The Ikon Gallery provides the backdrop to the pink blossom. Thank you to all at Birminghamweare and all the other brilliant photographers. If you want to know more about Birmingham or just follow the site which includes great pictures of the City by people with passion then here is the link
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