I'm really enjoying the discussions on the AA100 February 2012 and A215 October 2012 Facebook groups. There's always something interesting to talk about whether it is study related (Cleopatra, Faustus, assignments), computer related (open Office vs Microsoft, Evernote vs One Note) or food related (Marmite, Jaffa Cakes, Monster Munch, Coffee, Vodka, Marmite Vodka!).
Today though, one of the conversations was quite civilised and cultural, turning to artists and galleries. This of course allowed me to talk of the many wonderful artists and the fantastic FREE museums and galleries in West Yorkshire, all within about ten miles of my home, and more important to me they are easily accessible by bus.
West Yorkshire has produced some of the greatest artists, writers, actors and broadcasters the World has ever seen. I'd be shocked if you haven't heard MOST (if not all) of these names:
Henry Moore (Sculptor), Leeds
Barbara Hepworth (Sculptor), Wakefield
David Hockney (Artist), Bradford
Andy Goldsworthy (Artist), raised in Leeds
Damien Hirst (Artist), raised in Leeds
The Bronte Sisters (Novelists), Thornton/Haworth/Birstall/Mirfield/Dewsbury
Barbara Taylor Bradford (Novelist), Leeds
Helen Fielding (Novelist), Leeds
J B Priestley (Novelist/Playwright/Broadcaster), Bradford
Alan Bennett (Playwright/Broadcaster), Leeds
Ted Hughes (Novelist/Poet Laureate), Mytholmroyd
Alan Titchmarsh (Novelist/Broadcaster), Ilkley
Michael Parkinson (Broadcaster), Cudworth
John Craven (Broadcaster), Leeds
Jeremy Paxman (Broadcaster), Leeds
Chris Moyles (Broadcaster), Leeds
Patrick Stewart (Actor), Mirfield
James Mason (Actor), Huddersfield
Malcolm MacDowell (Actor), Leeds
Leigh Francis (Actor/Broadcaster), Leeds {Avid Merrion/Bo Selecta/Keith Lemon}
Thomas Chippendale (Furniture Maker), Otley
I could go on with a few dozen more names (as well as sports personalities, politicians, scientists, musicians etc) but you're probably bored already, so instead let me tell you about those wonderful museums and galleries that I mentioned.
National Media Museum, Bradford - Several galleries exploring the history and future of photography, film, television, the Internet and digital media. Two special exhibition galleries
1853 Gallery, Salt's Mill, Saltaire - This gallery has a large collection of works by David Hockney. The mill is at the heart of a model workers' village which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Henry Moore Institute, Leeds - Collection of works by Henry Moore
The Hepworth, Wakefield - Collection of works by Barbara Hepworth
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield - Open air gallery of works by Hepworth, Moore and others set in the grounds of Bretton Hall
Again I could carry on telling you details of dozens more museums (Royal Armouries, National Coal Mining Museum, Eureka Children's Museum...) and art galleries in every town but if you ARE interested then I don't mind helping you to plan a visit to GOD'S OWN COUNTY!
As a treat, and considering today's date, here's a video of former Poet Laureate, Ted Hughes reading one of his poems...
I didn't read as much as I wanted last night so I've still not moved onto Faraday (I will eventually... Honest). I was thinking about what to do on Saturday after the Induction Event at Leeds University. I've no money left (apart from the £5 I've put on one side for my bus ticket), so I won't be shopping. The event will finish around 12.15pm which leaves the rest of the day clear, and as I will have a 'Day Ticket' for the buses, I might as well get some use out of it.
I decided to start by looking at the Gazetteers on the AA100 website. They list locations around the country to see examples of works I will be studying throughout the course. After a bit of scrolling and clicking I've discovered that there is a great example of Pugin's architecture at St Anne's Catholic Church in Keighley, and examples of Benin art in the Leeds City Museum (there are others at the Leeds Discovery Centre, but this is only for pre-booked tours). I can't decide whether I should visit any of these or leave them until I'm actually studying them (possibly on the same day as a tutorial).
As I was scrolling through the coming weeks I discovered that NONE of the Ancient Sacred Sites, Roman Villa Sites or Eighteenth Century Houses listed on the website are within West Yorkshire. The nearest being in York, which although only another hour by bus would be another £6! I think a bit more research might be required to find something similar locally.
I also spent a little time today working through the online activities for using the Harvard Referencing System, and then followed this up by adding some references to my pre-prepared assignment and advising someone on the AA100 Facebook page. Now back to my reading...
