Wilton’s Music Hall Packed for From Cable Street to Brick Lane!
As artists in residence at Wilton’s Music Hall we were delighted to see the ‘house’ was full last night for the preview of ‘From Cable Street to Brick Lane’! 75 years to the day the slogan ‘They Shall Not Pass’ became a reality.
Thanks to everyone that came along and shared views about the film. We are now well placed to finish From Cable Street to Brick Lane in time for the East End Film Festival in 2012. Thanks to Amiri Shongeeth for the photographs of the after party and Q&A …..
Family of one of the actors from Swanlea school. Wilton's October 4, 2011
Yoav Segal and Phil Maxwell shake hands with Ubby Cowan seated. Wilton's 2011
Yoav Segal, Ubby Cowan, Phil Maxwell and Hazuan Hashim. Wilton's 2011
Amanda Richardson and Phil Maxwell. Wilton's 2011
Roger Mills, Phil Maxwell and Hazuan Hashim. Wilton's London 2011
Derek Gadd & Phil Maxwell. Wilton's London 2011
Phil Maxwell, Hasina Zaman and Derek Gadd. Wilton's London 2011
There will be more of this tomorrow together with some photographs of ‘the making of…..’
Riveting Bridge
Liberty Bridge (below) was built for the Millenium World Exhibition in 1896. Damaged during the second world war it has since been repaired to its former glory. Construction was started in June 1894. It was inaugurated by Francis Joseph I, who hammered in the last silver rivet on the Pest side on 4 October 1896, at the festivities held for the thousand-year jubilee of Hungary.
Rivets on Liberty Bridge. Budapest 2005
I was unable to find the silver rivet (perhaps it was painted over during communist times). The mass of rivets holding the bridge together was a visual display of the strength of the structure. Rivets are everywhere on this bridge and thankfully there has been no attempt to disguise them.
Rivets on Liberty Bridge. Budapest 2005
I found it impossible not to touch and swirl my hands around the rivets. They are all the same size but each has its own identity owing to its proximity to other rivets and the coating of paint which has been spread lavishly over the years.
Liberty Bridge. Budapest 2005
The side of the bridge acts as a graceful Art Nouveau window to the river Danube.
Rivets & graffiti on Liberty Bridge. Budapest 2005
There are plenty of tags and graffiti but they will fade and disappear leaving the rivets amused but unmoved.
Liberty Bridge looking towards the Gelert Hotel in Buda. Budapest 2005
Two girls crossing a bridge in Bangladesh, 1991
Signs on a bridge. New York 2005
Foot & bicycle prints near Liberty Bridge. Budapest 2005
Rivets turned into igloos. Liberty Bridge. Budapest 2005
Life Without a Car
I’ve always lived in a City and spent most of my life living just off Brick Lane in Spitalfields. I have never driven a car and always relied on public transport or the generosity of a friend who drives. As a non driver I have occasionally felt I was regarded as a little odd. I can recall times when I was asked the question ‘Do you drive Phil?’ On hearing the answer there would be a silence as if the questioner had stumbled on a dreadful secret.
One of the many car accessory places in and around Spitalfields, Brady Street London 1989.
My ‘guilt’ as a non driver was reinforced as I walked around Spitalfields and stumbled on a tyre shop.
A loan tyre on on this bridge that crosses Whitechapel underground lines. London 1991
Car installation at the Frieze fare in London 2007
Tyres on Bethnal Green Road, London 2008
Blitz on Eastern Grocers
This week has been very special. My 40 year retrospective ‘went well’ according to everyone I’ve spoken to. The only difficulty I have with openings is that you don’t really get a chance to speak with old friends – some of whom have travelled quite a distance to see you. There were some delightful students who came and interviewed me about photography etc. I enjoy being contacted and interviewed by students; I hope they find the process as engaging as I do. The Gentle Author of Spitalfields life attempted to introduce me to another photographer: Colin O’Brien; we both like each others work but didn’t get a chance to talk. Still ‘Spitalfields Life’ is on my case and I’ve been told a meeting is imminent. I look forward it.
Eastern Grocers. Hanbury Street. London 1985
In terms of this week being special I went on two shoots and even walked around Spitalfields on my own (this was my first solo excursion into the world for over a year). After a shoot filming the brilliant Mural commemorating the battle of Cable Street I ended up staring at the grocers shop (above) which has now changed (below) a little. We share a jib with another filmmaker whose studio is opposite the grocers that became an Estate Agents, a Money Lender and finally (I might have missed something) BLITZ.
Blitz shop. Hanbury Street, London 2011
I am not sure what Blitz is or does. I intend to explore the place in a weeks time and report back ……
Many thanks to Andrew Grainger for all the photographs below.
Hazuan Hashim & Phil Maxwell. Opening of '40 years On'. Bishopsgate Institute, London 2011
Phil, Robson & Hazuan. Bishopsgate Institute London 2011
Rough Trade Images
I’ve always loved LP’s / Vinyl /Records. The sleeve notes and cover design music collectors grew up to expect vanished with the introduction of the CD. I have thousands of LP’s and still play them (not all at once).
Rough Trade Exhibition. Man having a cup of tea in a Cheshire Streeet Cafe. London 1986
So exhibiting in a Rough Trade store is fantastic. I noticed the old Victorian Library at Bishopsgate absorbed the images without difficulty – as did Rough Trade.
Rough Trade Exhibition. Woman outside a betting shop. Roman Rd, London 2008.
Hazuan Hashim (below) curated the show for the two venues. It’s his birthday today. Happy Birthday my darling!
Phil & Hazx2, Spitalfields London 2001
