Untitled digital photograph, 2012
Untitled digital photograph, 2012
Untitled digital photograph, 2012
Untitled digital photograph, 2012
Untitled digital photograph, 2012
Untitled digital photograph, 2012
Untitled digital photograph, 2012
The above were all taken in London, UK in April 2012.
City Life is a 1996 album by the American composer, Steve Reich. Like all of his work, it’s worth checking out if you’re into repetitious, minimalist, modern composition.
According to Glass: A Biography of Philip Glass by Robert Maycock, in the early days when Steve Reich and Philip Glass couldn’t make a living from music, they started a removal firm. When they weren’t shifting stuff, they hung out with the artists Richard Serra, Bruce Nauman, Chuck Close, Sol Le Witt and Carl Andre. Not surprisingly this, and not the removals, is where Steve’s break came from – artists would invite him to their exhibition spaces to soundtrack their work.
I love these kind of stories, and always wonder what Steve and Philip talked about in the van.
The Future Is Papier Mâché 
Like the b&w’s alot. Yes, it is fun to speculate about such conversations – where they totally banal, or were they possibly even inspired by the sounds of stuff moving and shuffling about in the van?
Thanks Deanne. Hadn’t thought about the stuff moving around – that’s a hilarious and, at the same time, seriously interesting idea. I like to imagine them bickering about directions.
Ha Ha! BTW, I noticed how easy it is to make typos in these comments, I blame it on my new contacts.
Ha, ha – I like to think there are no grammar or spelling rules on the internet – it helps me sleep at night.
Great photos!!
Thanks! Love your blog.
I like the 3rd photo of the man in the trenchcoat. It has a 1940’s feel to it. The one of the man making the flower arrangements really grabbed my attention for some reason.
Glad you like it. He does look like a man out of time – he reminds me of a great book by Gerald Kersh called Night and The City. I don’t know if you know Kersh, but if it’s a portrait of a vanished city you want that book and Fowler’s End are well worth reading.
Nice shots. Particularly like the first one, there is something about the arrangement – the large steaming container (not sure what it is!), the diagonal of the ladder and the position of the two faces. The third shot feels like it could be a scene from a Raymond Chandler novel, which I like.
Thanks Stevie – glad you like them. I think the container held either hot tar, or the yellow stuff they use to mark roads with. I think that man had his time machine parked round the back of Covent Garden. I like his ‘look’ very much.
What an interesting story about Steve & Philip! It’s hard to imagine those two as being unable to make money with their music. It’s true that we all have to start somewhere 🙂
Great shots. I particularly enjoy the illusion of that second one.
Thanks b r – glad you like the pics! Yes, Philip also spent time as a cab driver, I believe.
I’m a fan of street photography, and this is definitely street photography.
Thanks Cardinal!
Love the monochrome shots. Thanks for visiting my blog.
You’re welcome – love your photography.
They are so nice city photographs dear Richard, I loved them all. And how nice you connected with music this post. Philip Glass is one of my favurite musicians, I have his albums. It was so nice and interesting for me too to read now. Thank you, with my love, nia
Thanks Nia! I’m really glad you like them. Yes, they’ve both made great music. Philip Glass’ Beauty and the Beast is a favourite of mine – I saw him perform it live a few years ago. It was stunning.
Love these pictures!
Thank you. Love yours too.
Wonderful work. Was listening to Steve Reich’s City Life only a couple of days ago. Very moving, which is appropriate after what you write. Am enjoying visits to your blog.
You just made me laugh out loud. Thanks, John, I’m really pleased you like it.
EDIT: John, I hope you don’t think I was laughing at your reply – it was your moving joke that made me laugh.
….. moving…. yes, intentional…..he must have picked up the rhythms in his music from repeatedly picking up boxes and moving them. The urgent pulsating rhythms, the broken and interrupted nature of … life….
Great shots!! The last two are so especially effective– glimpses into lives. Also love the one with all the reflections.
Thanks very much, Ellen! This is a real blast from the past – these were some of my first street photographs to feature people.