Topsy-turvy

A different way of seeing Lacock Abbey… from inside a camera obscura placed in the grounds. The projected image is always upside down, hence this topsy-turvy view. William Fox Talbot used a similar one at the Abbey for his research into photography.

It would be great if the National Trust moved theirs in front of the window which Fox Talbot used to produce his (and the world’s) first print from a photographic negative. It would have a sense of the world turning full circle.

It was a strange feeling to be in what looked like a shepherd’s hut and to find this projected image when the door was closed. Even stranger to see other visitors upside down as they passed by!

The National Trust have at least one example of a camera obscura view of the Abbey in their archives. This one is a view of the cloisters.

 

Friday Bench: Chainsawed

Altered Images

This is one of Lisa Pettibone’s pieces on display as part of the Elements of Capability exhibition at Lacock Abbey.

I liked how the warped metal transformed the paths, sky, grass and surrounding vegetation into something quite surreal looking. It’s a bit like how Capability Brown dramatically altered many of the landscapes he was involved with.

The exhibition continues until 22nd May 2016

Frozen World

I discussed winter garden design over at Veg Plotting yesterday. I didn’t mention how art and other structural pieces can be used effectively at this time of year. Lacock Abbey’s Frozen World exhibition last week demonstrated the concept admirably.

Illuminating Lacock II

Friday Bench: Illuminating Lacock

I loved how this illumination picked out the detail of the stonework behind the bench. Illuminating Lacock is celebrating 175 years since Fox Talbot announced his photographic negative process which he developed (‘scuse pun) at Lacock Abbey. There’s more on this over at Veg Plotting today.

The illuminations are 4-7pm from now until 9th February 2014.

Friday Bench: Strata

Late Autumn Light

At three o’clock in mid November…