stepney green by twintubeyi try to keep off the london underground as much as possible...particularly at commuter time. it is such a bustle...and it always suprises me that people get so close to each other...so close! the last time i was on the tube i ended up with my head buried in some unknown gentleman's chest because people kept tumbling onto the train, like a huge wave of suits and briefcases. there were people hanging onto the tube doorways, just about managing to duck their heads inside as they were ordered to 'mind the closing doors'. i don't think i've ever been so intimate with a stranger - odd!
but, when the tubes are calmer you get to appreciate all the beautiful artwork that adorns the network...i really love the huge variation of style and periods within the tube stations. from the futuristic westminster to the sweet vintage style of tubes like regent street with the british racing green tiles there are some really lovely gems to hunt out. i've taken a few pictures whilst i've been out and about, but as they were taken on my iphone the quality isn't too great. i'd quite like to make it a little project, documenting the beautiful tiles across the london underground...
the first two photos below are my underground scavenges, the other three photos in this post i found over in the london underground tile patterns group on flickr:
tottenham court road
unknown (can't remember where i took this but think it is in north london)
kings cross tube by belfegore
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9 comments:
I'm in love with the tube! I miss having so much public transport when I'm in the states, even if it can be crowded and unreliable. When I lived in the UK for a time I did a huge art project based on it--fun! (sorry about deleting previous comment, it's very late and I made some typos)
I'm OBSESSED with the tiles at Tottenham Court Road. But I'm too much of a scaredy cat to pull out my camera lest I get told off! The first sign is also lovely. xx
ooh would love to see your art project cheshire, do you share it anywhere on your blog?
and i know what you mean top bird...i 'sneakily' took this with my iphone, pretending i was just scrolling through my pics!! must have more courage!
Nice photos ! Don't think I'd like to have to commute daily by Tube ( Smitonius , on the other hand does strap-hang frequently ) but the graphics are great. Please share more ! And , now that I've scrolled down and read some of your recent posts , thankyou for the Aero ad ! Sonata .
'strap hanging' - hehe, not heard that before. very apt!
One of the last times I was on the tube I was 7.5 months pregnant and offered my seat to an 8.5 month pregnant woman because everyone else had their noses very purposefully buried in newspapers. But there is a weird bit of me that does miss something of the whole experience - and now that I live on the other side of the world, it's lovely to have a reminder of Paolozzi's tile art!
yeh it's a shame the tube is like that. hope i've not been guilty of it myself - i do try to 'zone' myself out and away from the tube when i'm in it. it's my coping mechanism!
I think the most important thing you addressed is why people get so close on the underground!!
Disturbingly close
claire ;)
haha indeed! it continues to baffle me that people are willing to squidge themselves so close to other people
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