Museum musings

‘Very important’ – Sir Antony Gormley. Museum enthusiast. Food historian. Questioning feminist. Hat lover. Known ginger.

[imogenhopes]

Secret Affair by Jim Lambie

Outside St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate in the City of London is ‘Secret Affair’ by Jim Lambie, part of Sculpture in the City 2014. When we were there were many people taking photos through the person-sized keyhole it as it makes a pleasing frame. It forces you to view the cityscape in a new way, through a viewfinder, and re-assess how you interact with the space. It seems to make a door through to another place. 

[imogenhopes]

St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate, City of London

St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate is off Bishopgate, near Liverpool Street. It is first mentioned in 1212 but the current building is from 1729. The pretty Church of England church is typical of lots of churches in the city. It has a nave with narrow side aisles, no transept, and a gallery round three sides. The waterfall added a calming feature and the space felt very still, even in the heart of the city. Outside is ‘Secret Affair’ by Jim Lambie, part of Sculpture in the City 2014. 

[imogenhopes]

Custom House, Lower Thames Street, London

Custom House in its current re-incarnation is from 1825 by Robert Smirk. It was built after a series of disaterous fires destroyed previous buildings, including one by Sir Christopher Wren. The first recorded instance of a Custom House on the site is in 1382 but excavations under the building have unearthed remains of a Roman Quay where they collected taxes.

[imogenhopes]

Three Quays, Lower Thames Street London

This recent development of flats next to the Tower of London is a beautiful undulating structure. It’s right on the river with great views of Tower Bridge and the Southbank. On the riverside there is a great water feature, whereby the water falls down the whole top of the wall and into water ‘columns’ before falling into holes at the base. It’s brilliant in the sunlight!