Gable Ends and semi-demolished tenements
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 1:46 pmI'm sure this must have been talked about at some point but can find anything relative in the search. Apologies if I'm repeating previous posts...
One of my strongest memories of Glasgow was the number of half demolished, smoke black tenements around in areas like Bridgeton and Dalmarnock, my memories are around late 70's - early 80's but I'm sure it must have been a common site since the 60's all over Glasgow. The odd thing seemed to be the number of tenements that got half knocked down, with the other side either still occupied or deralict for years until it was demolished too.
I can only imagine it was a council budget thing or something, ie. they only knocked flats down when they had new flat to house people in. But it did make for some really strange images.
The thing I was most fascinated by when a place was partially demolished was the interior walls and decor that got left behind stuck on the gable end. At that time it was common to see hideously lurid, bright 70's wallpaper, and fireplaces stuck 50ft in the air. My own grans house in bridgeton was knocked down, but again bizzarely the one next to it wasn't till years later, every saturday we passed in the car on the way into town and could look up and see my grans living room wall stuck to the side of the undemolished building next door (the purple flock wallpaper, fireplace and gas meter still attached to the wall!) This was once a really common site, but dont see it anymore, I guess when things are demolished now they're done in a day, not do one half then come backa few years later...
Anyway to get to the point, I've been doing a series of paintings and sculptures based on this idea, part of an exhibition on around mid-January in Glasgow. but I dont have a great deal of reference other than a few old photos and snippets from old Bill Forsyth movies :). Anyone out there have any pics? or know of where they could point me to get some? I'll give you a credit and of course a couple of tickets to the opening! (even if looking at paintings isn't your thing, there'll be tons of free drink!)
Yours Hopefully
Ta
Alan
One of my strongest memories of Glasgow was the number of half demolished, smoke black tenements around in areas like Bridgeton and Dalmarnock, my memories are around late 70's - early 80's but I'm sure it must have been a common site since the 60's all over Glasgow. The odd thing seemed to be the number of tenements that got half knocked down, with the other side either still occupied or deralict for years until it was demolished too.
I can only imagine it was a council budget thing or something, ie. they only knocked flats down when they had new flat to house people in. But it did make for some really strange images.
The thing I was most fascinated by when a place was partially demolished was the interior walls and decor that got left behind stuck on the gable end. At that time it was common to see hideously lurid, bright 70's wallpaper, and fireplaces stuck 50ft in the air. My own grans house in bridgeton was knocked down, but again bizzarely the one next to it wasn't till years later, every saturday we passed in the car on the way into town and could look up and see my grans living room wall stuck to the side of the undemolished building next door (the purple flock wallpaper, fireplace and gas meter still attached to the wall!) This was once a really common site, but dont see it anymore, I guess when things are demolished now they're done in a day, not do one half then come backa few years later...
Anyway to get to the point, I've been doing a series of paintings and sculptures based on this idea, part of an exhibition on around mid-January in Glasgow. but I dont have a great deal of reference other than a few old photos and snippets from old Bill Forsyth movies :). Anyone out there have any pics? or know of where they could point me to get some? I'll give you a credit and of course a couple of tickets to the opening! (even if looking at paintings isn't your thing, there'll be tons of free drink!)
Yours Hopefully
Ta
Alan
A prime example of history repeating itself. 
. Anyone out there have any pics? or know of where they could point me to get some? I'll give you a credit and of course a couple of tickets to the opening! (even if looking at paintings isn't your thing, there'll be tons of free drink!)
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