This is SO good. A great read on a great part of London. I used to work in the Barbican Arts Centre when I lived in London, and would head into their library at lunchtime, to play their piano. It just felt like a very welcoming, friendly space — I've now lived out of London for five years, but this is one part of the city I miss the most.
I was in the Barbican area early on a freezing winter's morning and I found the Arts Centre unexpectedly open. The huge warm spaces were thick with silence, and here and there, a few people were finding refuge, sitting in dark corners, lost in thought. I loved that it was open with no expectation of anyone buying anything, and no requirement to have a reason for being there.
Thank you very much, Paddy. What a cultured way to spend your lunchtime - in the library and playing piano.
One of the things that makes the Barbican so special is it being welcoming and friendly. A refreshing change compared to the many modern developments which have security guards prowling about.
What a great essay. I've tried to analyse why I really don't like the Barbican and I think it's because every time I go there I feel as though I'm trapped in an Escher painting. I can see where I want to go but every path seems to take me in backward circles. I feel trapped, claustrophobic and disorientated. The fabric of the building seems to be fighting a losing battle with nature and is very depressing in the grey and rain. The relief when you escape the labyrinth and pop out into a real street (what the hell, I'm nowhere near where I wanted to be but I'll just skirt the perimeter) is like breathing again after a long hold of breath.
Thank you, Bettina. Yes I can understand why it can be discombobulating. I don't think I have ever taken the same route and, despite many visits over the years, still go in the wrong direction!
Haha, not just me, then! I confess that I do have a soft spot for it because of associated memories, but it's a bit like my brother-in-law as a 4 year old, picked up from his first day at school, pronouncing, 'yes, it was very nice, but I never want to go back!'
I have mixed feelings about the Barbican. There are times when I enjoy it, and times when I find it draining. I learned that it was specifically designed to be somewhat illegible, and not to have easy ways through it. It certainly succeeded in that aim!
We were just in London a week ago and started a long walk last Sat morning from the tube station and through the Barbican, as I’d never been through before. Our next destination of the day was to be St Paul’s Cathedral but we got so turned around while finding our way through we added a number of “steps” to what was already to be a long jaunt. I can appreciate your take here on your own Barbican experience. We were glad we went and had our experience, as it is certainly one-of-a-kind place, but there was an odd edge to our time there (helped by the wind and rain of that morning). I also found this post timely and interesting.
Thanks for this essay Andrew. I love nothing more than a stroll around Barbican with my camera, especially when the sun is out. It is one of the best places in London to work with contrast, and light and shade are plentiful. And talk about frames within frames. Really appreciate your view of the site in the photos you’ve shared here. You showcase that contrast here beautifully.
Thank you, Mark. The Barbican is a wonderful place to stroll around. I enjoy returning every year and always see something new. I hope I’ll see some of your photos soon?
I enjoyed this photo essay/document and saddened by the news any destruction of the past. I feel there is a trend to urban renewal that causes a lost to a familiar landscape forever..A man altered landscape has not always seen to be an improvement. I admire your approach and style, almost large format and a soft rich palette that at first reminded me of some of the works of the photographers who attended the Dusseldorf School of Photography, the Thomas Struth’s, Candida Hofer, Struth and others. Of course this is such a short first impression..I look forward to your continued work..Thank you for a nice start to my day..
You are right, London is changing so quickly - it seems to be in a constant state of regeneration. I was recently in Silvertown in Docklands, and I felt this very acutely there. There are still remnants of its Victorian industrial legacy, but soon they will be gone.
Thank you, Rick. I agree, it's better to reuse rather than replace. And thank you for your comments about my approach and style. Honoured that it reminds you of the Dusseldorf School of Photography.
I like the concept of an Inspiration Jaunt. Your photos capture an aspect of the Barbican that is less remarked upon - the thoughtful landscaping and the varied planting. It always takes me by surprise, and the colours can feel all the more vivid against the grey tones of the buildings.
Oh yes, I need an occasional jaunt to jolt me! Thank you very much for your comments. The Queen was right when she said the Barbican is one of the wonders of the modern world.
Beautiful shots, whenever I go to the Barbican my photos always come back quite dark and moody, I love how you have been able to capture much lighter and colourful photos!
What an interesting place. Your perspective on it and the way you photographed it makes me want to explore it on my own! Great work. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you very much, Susanne. A couple of hours strolling about the Estate and perhaps another hour at an exhibition in the Arts Centre could be a rewarding way to spend your time next time you are near!
As I understand it, the red geraniums rule has been dropped, but it used to be in place. It is nice to see that so many still observe this 'historical guidance'.
I have friends who live there. It is such a lovely oasis in the big city. Whether you are into Brutalism or not, it is a place of light, water, grass, trees and flower boxes. I was told that by decree once upon a time the flowers were all red geraniums.... I would have liked to have seen that.
Thank you for your comments, Søren. I don't know if it's a decree, but there are lots of red geraniums in the window boxes. I didn't really capture them on this visit. I'll see if I can find one from a previous visit.
In a counterfactual life I am living in the Barbican, a beautifully brutalist Hotel California which I lierally never need to leave because every conceivable need I have is provided for
This is SO good. A great read on a great part of London. I used to work in the Barbican Arts Centre when I lived in London, and would head into their library at lunchtime, to play their piano. It just felt like a very welcoming, friendly space — I've now lived out of London for five years, but this is one part of the city I miss the most.
I was in the Barbican area early on a freezing winter's morning and I found the Arts Centre unexpectedly open. The huge warm spaces were thick with silence, and here and there, a few people were finding refuge, sitting in dark corners, lost in thought. I loved that it was open with no expectation of anyone buying anything, and no requirement to have a reason for being there.
Thank you very much, Paddy. What a cultured way to spend your lunchtime - in the library and playing piano.
One of the things that makes the Barbican so special is it being welcoming and friendly. A refreshing change compared to the many modern developments which have security guards prowling about.
Ohh, I wish I knew. I live in the Barbican. Would have brought you into the garden(s)! Let me know next time you're here.
I would love that, Daniel. I will definitely be in touch.
What a great essay. I've tried to analyse why I really don't like the Barbican and I think it's because every time I go there I feel as though I'm trapped in an Escher painting. I can see where I want to go but every path seems to take me in backward circles. I feel trapped, claustrophobic and disorientated. The fabric of the building seems to be fighting a losing battle with nature and is very depressing in the grey and rain. The relief when you escape the labyrinth and pop out into a real street (what the hell, I'm nowhere near where I wanted to be but I'll just skirt the perimeter) is like breathing again after a long hold of breath.
Thank you, Bettina. Yes I can understand why it can be discombobulating. I don't think I have ever taken the same route and, despite many visits over the years, still go in the wrong direction!
Haha, not just me, then! I confess that I do have a soft spot for it because of associated memories, but it's a bit like my brother-in-law as a 4 year old, picked up from his first day at school, pronouncing, 'yes, it was very nice, but I never want to go back!'
I have mixed feelings about the Barbican. There are times when I enjoy it, and times when I find it draining. I learned that it was specifically designed to be somewhat illegible, and not to have easy ways through it. It certainly succeeded in that aim!
We were just in London a week ago and started a long walk last Sat morning from the tube station and through the Barbican, as I’d never been through before. Our next destination of the day was to be St Paul’s Cathedral but we got so turned around while finding our way through we added a number of “steps” to what was already to be a long jaunt. I can appreciate your take here on your own Barbican experience. We were glad we went and had our experience, as it is certainly one-of-a-kind place, but there was an odd edge to our time there (helped by the wind and rain of that morning). I also found this post timely and interesting.
Thanks for this essay Andrew. I love nothing more than a stroll around Barbican with my camera, especially when the sun is out. It is one of the best places in London to work with contrast, and light and shade are plentiful. And talk about frames within frames. Really appreciate your view of the site in the photos you’ve shared here. You showcase that contrast here beautifully.
Thank you, Mark. The Barbican is a wonderful place to stroll around. I enjoy returning every year and always see something new. I hope I’ll see some of your photos soon?
I enjoyed this photo essay/document and saddened by the news any destruction of the past. I feel there is a trend to urban renewal that causes a lost to a familiar landscape forever..A man altered landscape has not always seen to be an improvement. I admire your approach and style, almost large format and a soft rich palette that at first reminded me of some of the works of the photographers who attended the Dusseldorf School of Photography, the Thomas Struth’s, Candida Hofer, Struth and others. Of course this is such a short first impression..I look forward to your continued work..Thank you for a nice start to my day..
You are right, London is changing so quickly - it seems to be in a constant state of regeneration. I was recently in Silvertown in Docklands, and I felt this very acutely there. There are still remnants of its Victorian industrial legacy, but soon they will be gone.
Thank you, Rick. I agree, it's better to reuse rather than replace. And thank you for your comments about my approach and style. Honoured that it reminds you of the Dusseldorf School of Photography.
I adore the Barbican. The shapes it makes against the sky. It's stunning. Love seeing all the views it can create!
Strolling about the Barbican is a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours in London!
I like the concept of an Inspiration Jaunt. Your photos capture an aspect of the Barbican that is less remarked upon - the thoughtful landscaping and the varied planting. It always takes me by surprise, and the colours can feel all the more vivid against the grey tones of the buildings.
Oh yes, I need an occasional jaunt to jolt me! Thank you very much for your comments. The Queen was right when she said the Barbican is one of the wonders of the modern world.
Beautiful shots, whenever I go to the Barbican my photos always come back quite dark and moody, I love how you have been able to capture much lighter and colourful photos!
Thank you, Sandeep. I like to wait for the sun to photograph brutalist buildings!
What an interesting place. Your perspective on it and the way you photographed it makes me want to explore it on my own! Great work. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you very much, Susanne. A couple of hours strolling about the Estate and perhaps another hour at an exhibition in the Arts Centre could be a rewarding way to spend your time next time you are near!
As I understand it, the red geraniums rule has been dropped, but it used to be in place. It is nice to see that so many still observe this 'historical guidance'.
So interesting! Love the photos, especially the old church.
Thank you, John! The church is perfectly incongruous in its setting - and all the better for it.
From one photographer to another, those are impressively perpendicular verticals. Love the church, tucked into all of that modern architecture.
Thank you, Matt. I’m honoured that you are impressed by the perpendicular verticals.
I have friends who live there. It is such a lovely oasis in the big city. Whether you are into Brutalism or not, it is a place of light, water, grass, trees and flower boxes. I was told that by decree once upon a time the flowers were all red geraniums.... I would have liked to have seen that.
Thank you for sharing your lovely images!
Thank you for your comments, Søren. I don't know if it's a decree, but there are lots of red geraniums in the window boxes. I didn't really capture them on this visit. I'll see if I can find one from a previous visit.
Barbie really is that girl.
Just when I thought everything has been photographed at the Barbican, you present this refreshing and informative article, congratulations!
I have to admit I'm not a fan of the pink wrapping around the BC but I love the space, it's so welcoming and everyone is very friendly there.
Thank you very much, Xavi. Likewise, not sure about the artwork covering up such a beautiful part of the Estate but I suppose it provides variety.
In a counterfactual life I am living in the Barbican, a beautifully brutalist Hotel California which I lierally never need to leave because every conceivable need I have is provided for
It could happen... it's all there.