Margate, Architecture and stuff

Via the Thanet Blog List I came across a new blog that is very interesting and contains lovely photos:

http://margatearchitecture.blogspot.com/

Like myself (any most of you), the Margate architect obviously loves the look of the old buildings of the area.  The blogger has lots of interesting things to say about what is going on in Margate today (buildings wise).  

N.B. I wanted to write - ’The blogger writes about buildings in contemporary Margate’, however, one has to be wary of the use of the ‘C’ word and Margate in the same sentence!   

I was interested to see that the blogger is new to the area and full of optermism for the future of Margate.  I hope the dreams are realised before the blogger becomes cynical and leaves the area.

I can think of a few good things to say about Margate, I did live there.  It has lots of beautiful, old buildings many in need of TLC.  It has a vibrant nightlife which attracts young people from miles.  It has the Shell Grotto.  It is handy for the Thanet District Council offices, Ok I’m struggling now!

I would imagine you could get a good deal on renting a 1-2 bed flat there, as property developers and buy-to-lets have gone mad in the area.   This may be a negative or plus, depending who you are. 

By the way, if you enjoy reading my blog you can receive it as an email by clicking the link on the right of this page (under the very blue link to Thanet Bloglist).

Margate Theatre Royal

We went to see Invisible Bonfires by Forkbeard Fantasy at the www.theatreroyalmargate.co.uk . One night only, much anticipation and hype. Not sold out but a large audience for a Monday night.

The show consisted of about an hour of amusing, interesting and entertaining moments.  The show was an hour and three quarters, however, with no interval. I particularly like the animated story of the carbon weevil. Mr T.P. enjoyed the cast and customer interaction before the show.

By the end I needed to check out the loos but I could not bear to stay in the Theatre any longer. I crossed my legs for the drive home. Dangerous – as I was the driver.

If you are seeking more reviews I found these: http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/invisiblebonfires-rev.htm 

http://arts.guardian.co.uk/theatre/drama/reviews/story/0,,2177696,00.html

Turner contemporary -Margate’s Art Gallery or Roller Coaster?

Mr Tara Plumbing and I are rather fond of Art and we are lucky enough to have visited many great Art Galleries around the world, such as

www.guggenheim.org , www.centrepompidou.fr , in addition to those in London and Edinburgh.

I can not resist telling you I’ve seen loads of Pollocks: 

 www.moma.org/exhibitions/1998/pollock/website100/index.html

So you might imagine that I would be excited about the prospect of a new Art Gallery being built on our doorstep, in Margate. 

Well, NO. 

Much as we have happily parted with many pounds to look at Art, I think we have parted with far more money in the pursuit of thrilling fun fair rides.  I have never planned a holiday specifically in order to visit an Art Gallery, whereas I’ve planned many weekends away around the Thrills of Alton Towers and Blackpool (even taken in Drayton Manor Park on route – roller coaster that you stand up on).  Returning to the attractions time and time again, spending money in the local eating and sleeping establishments.

As for day trips, over the past 16 years I may have visited Chessington World of Adventure alone more times than I have visited all of London’s art galleries (not exactly sure of this).

Based on the huge unrepresentative sample which is my family – people do not travel far out of their way to visit an Art Gallery unless the area has a lot more to offer.  People will travel to the back of beyond to go on unique roller coasters (do you know how hard it is to get to Alton Towers – there is nothing else there and it takes forever).  What is more – people actually return to go on the same roller coasters year after year!

How many people, from outside of Thanet, do you estimate would make an annual pilgrimage to Margate to visit the Art Gallery?

www.turnercontemporary.org/

So my point is a new Dreamland, if it was really good, could attract far more business and money to the local area than an Art Gallery.  Thanet is easily accessible for day trips and weekends for most people in the South East.  An amusement park which attracts mostly young people is the ideal compliment to the nightlife in the Margate.

Margate Dreamland and or Turner Contemporary are often discussed, it seems to me a lot of sensible comments were posted in response to this blog:  http://birchington.blogspot.com/2007/10/turner-extraordinary.html#comments

I can not imagine why any one would travel many miles to visit an Art Gallery in Margate when London has so much to offer.

www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery

www.royalacademy.org.uk

www.southbankcentre.co.uk

www.tate.org.uk

The Margate Exodus

Filmed in Margate in 2006, will be shown on Channel 4, Monday 19th Nov. 9pm.

 www.themargateexodus.org.uk/home.php

 This art film was Produced by Artangel, details here:

www.artangel.org.uk/pages/past/06/06_woolcock.htm

Mr Tara Plumbing and I have been on the Artangel mailing list since 2004 when we went to see

GREGOR SCHNEIDER
Die Familie Schneider in London

Two east London Terraced houses had been made to look identical, and room were divided in to smaller rooms.  This is what Schneider is known for.  Visitors had to explore each house individually, by appointment only.  The atmosphere inside the houses was oppressive, creepy, scary, sinister – you just need to experience it.    In each house there were people – also looking identical – women washing up at the sinks; men masterbating in the showers; and some weird stuff going on in the bedroom. It was an experience I shall never forget.

www.artangel.org.uk/pages/publishing/pub_schneider.htm

If you happen to be in Australia within the next week or so, there is a Schneider creation on Bondi Beach.