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Tuesday 28 September 2021

Above The Tideline

Aldeburgh beach is tough as old seaboots. The shingle crunches underfoot with every laborious step as you weave between old boats, fishing nets, lobster pots and rusty tractors. There's the smell of fish and the cry of the gulls all along this working coastline. Not everyone would see this as a place of beauty, or even interest.



























Now you might think that the citizens of this genteel little town might object to Charlotte and her rather scruffy friends, along with all the necessary equipment and unnecessary rubbish that the fishing industry leaves strewn above the tideline. But strangely enough they seem to take it all in their stride. No, when they began complaining in 2003 about rusty, twisted lumps of metal on their beach they meant this.....

 

Maggi Hambling's "Scallop", a tribute by the artist to the composer Benjamin Britten, who often walked along the beach here, caused all kinds of turmoil amongst the good people of Aldeburgh when the 4-metre-high work was first installed. 




 




I think they've got used to it by now, but you can trudge along the shifting shingle bank and make your own mind up. Me? I think I can find room in my world for both large sculptures and old fishing boats.


Take care.

 

28 comments:

  1. Me too - I love the character of the old fishing boats revealing their years of toil on the high seas and Maggi Hambling's "Scallop" with its poignant message is a piece of art that I have long admired.

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  2. Even though at first glance it may look a messy,unkempt beach, you have shown how to find beauty and interest in it with your artistic photos. I like the sculpture too.

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  3. Hi John - I love the sea-shore similar to that you're walking along ... I can 'smell' the air as I sit here - granted fairly near the English Channel ... but not a beach like that! Maggi Hambling's sculpture - I'm sure I'd appreciate it if I ever get to see it ... we need to think afresh. Cheers Hilary

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  4. Was there ever a piece of outdoor sculpture that failed to generate controversy when it was first installed? I am just glad to see that it has not been daubed with graffiti. I think that Benjamin Britten would have been quite pleased. He might even have dashed off a composition to honour it.

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    1. Unfortunately it was daubed with graffiti at one time, David.

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  5. Las cadenas le hace falta unas manos de pintura, están bastante oxidadas por efecto de la humedad.

    me ha gustado mucho la escultura, dedicada a un insigne compositor. Supongo que para andar por ahí, llevas un calzado con buena suela. DE lo contrario la planta del pie puede sufrir mucho.

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  6. I am glad that you did see (and share) both sorts of beauty. Like Hilary I can almost smell the air.

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  7. I can see the appeal of the beach and the sculpture.

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  8. You made me interested in this beach with the things you found beauty. The 3rd, 4th and 5th are my favorites.

    Yoko

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  9. I’m with you. What a great beach for a wander and browse!

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  10. I love these photos. I see this same beauty in the small shrimping and fishing towns that are left on the coast here, few and far between as they are. I love the patina of the old sea-polished detritus, the old and storied boats, and I also love the art that inspires the newcomers to express their maritime views.

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  11. You do a wonderful job of bringing out the beauty in whatever you photograph, John! I enjoyed the look at the sculpture as well as all of the fishing boats and gear! Well done!

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  12. John, I love the Maggie Hambling, I love Britten's music and I love Aldeburgh - what more can I want.

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  13. What a great place to walk and photograph. Love the intentional artwork and the beauty of the unintended as well.

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  14. I love the old lobster pots, and fishing nets with floats...as well as these boats and other parts which you've brilliantly photographed. What better place for a scallop sculpture? Maybe on a village green?

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  15. What a lovely peaceful beach. I love the photos. Not so much the sculpture. There's a lot of history and life on this beach. Enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.

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  16. That's funny the townsfolk objected to this lovely work of art! Actually I think the old fishing boats and nets also make good photo subjects, as demonstrated by your great images.

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  17. I think that sculpture fit right in. Too bad folks were against it and not the scrap junk left by the old fishing boats.

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  18. An amazing beach to stroll on and photograph its treasures. The sculpture look great there, I like it very much.

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  19. It all makes for a great wander. I was feeling like I was on the beach!

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  20. I like the old boats and the smell of the sea. Also, the sculpture is interesting. Although you are telling us, that this isn't a place of beauty, your pictures are showing the opposite.

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  21. A wonderful series of maritime images here John - I especially like the rusty chain. Thank you for dropping by my blog.

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  22. Fascinating! And a great selection of pictures. I enjoyed both sidees of that beach culture.

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  23. Lovely old boats. I wonder whether you can buy fresh fish straight off those boats.

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    1. You can indeed. There's a row of shacks selling fish right on the beach.

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  24. I love your photos. I visited Aldeburgh for the first time last week and posted about it. I was directed to your blog by Marcia. How grateful I am for her recommendation.

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  25. I may not like all sculptures but for some reason I love this one...and I love all the other stuff in this post, too. I dont know how I missed this post but I did!

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  26. Fantastic images. I live in a landlocked province and the ocean has always been fascinating. The image of the peeling paint with the rope hook thing (not sure of it's real name) is really great.

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