QR codes

As an official student of physics, and therefore a geek by default, I reserve the right to post something geeky, and here it is: QR codes.  What is a QR code?  It's one of those funny looking dotted squares that people point their smart phones at, and they're everywhere.

I decided to get one for this blog, so I checked out a few online QR code generators. 

I found the QR code generator from the ZXing project to be one of the most comprehensive.  OK, so you don't get snazzy graphics, but you don't have to pay for it, and they encode anything from your contact information to a calender event. 

Check out the link ZXing QR code generator  and get creating your own code...

Mudlarking on the Thames shoreline

My Saturday morning was a carefully planned affair, up at 7am and out by 8 to catch the low tide on the Thames shoreline at Tower Bridge.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but within 30s of reaching the shore I had found my first bit of clay pipe.  My main purpose of going was to find driftwood, anything else would be a bonus.

Walking to Tower Bridge.

First steps onto the shoreline.

taken from under the bridge looking onto HMS Belfast.

I found loads of bits of pipe, and also midden bones (bones from animals that have taken on the hue of one of the most commonest items thrown into the Thames - poo ;)  a couple of teeth, loads of pieces of tiles, and a few pieces of wood, which smell awful.  In fact the driftwood smells so bad, I'm not sure I can use it.

Close-up of the 'beach', here you can see tiles, glass, shells, bits of pipe...and stones.

Mud, Mud and mud.

I spent a few hours on the shoreline, and left with my bag bursting with pipes and bones, in search for a bacon sandwich and a coffee.

The sky looking mean and moody over the Gherkin.

And at the other end of the city...blue sky.

Showcase Cities 18th April (my little sideshow)

It was a strange feeling having my work on show for the first time, and watching people looking, reading and talking about it: my pieces have been a part of my life for a long time - my own little sideshow, and now other people had become part of it!

Blank canvas...see what I did there?! ;)

Gradually taking shape.

Ready to go!

Close up of Cybele and Anastasia.

My arty photo effort for the evening.

Marc and Blair who run the event were really helpful, and there was some stunning work on show. 

Showcase Cities

This is really short notice, but I'm up to my neck in boxes and sand, and have only just found the chance to write a few words!  I will be exhibiting my Merwood figures at Showcase Cities @ Richmix in Shoreditch tomorrow.  The doors open at 6.00pm till late.  Live music and art, what more can you ask for? :)

Works in progress

Work on Lysithea has stalled, as not only did I drop her beautiful box, but I also found myself pondering on how best to present the poem inside the box.  A visit to the Paperchase on Tottenham Court Road, with my good friend Richard, soon put me back on track! 

Merwood Website

I was working on my Merwood website with Tim this weekend.  It's looking fantastic!  Hoping to go live in the near future :) 

Thanks Tim!

Lysithea poem

Here's the second poem.  This will accompany the carving in her box.

Lysithea

A box without a lock, lost.

Liminal,

My feet on the sand

Caressed by the waves.

Walking between 

The feathers, fish bones and driftwood,

Stones send stabs of pain through my feet.

Searching the rocks,

Frantic, 

The cliffs raging above me,

I look to the sea.

A box without a lock, lost.

Liminal,

Between the land and the sea,

Sand beneath my feet,

Waves meet my outstretched hands.