A Short Philosophical Discourse.
Leaving the station and walking down to the Brighton Toy and Model Museum, which like most of the museums and galleries in Brighton are closed on Monday (I didn't realise this upfront). I spotted the below street art. The first stencilled celebration of life effectively altered my mood. It's effectively a call to arms, the mental equivalent of a kick in the rear end. Once you accept that your life is finite (few people acknowledge this truth until they start to witness people around them dying (note, I use the term dying as 'passing' is a misnomer that seems to obscure the essential truth that one day you are kicking and breathing and the next, not there any more. Accept the impending ending, in the same way that your parents acknowledged your beginning). Basically, the message below is a version of the age old proverb carpe diem, live in the moment and don't worry about the future.
Read it and live it.
The second piece of street art was next to the Brighton Toy and Model Museum and encourages the casual observer to continue studying. Interestingly, it jumps to the regular conclusion that through reading and studying social change is possible. Now, as I am getting older, I am becoming more aware that the accumulation of knowledge may allow for a greater awareness of social troubles and their causes but what it doesn't automatically promote is change. Change only occurs when the individual is either empowered enough or in a position of power to instigate new policy or ideas. The old adage of 'being in the right place at the right time' still holds a lot of relevance. I would argue that sometimes increasing one's understanding of world affairs etc can lead to depression and other mental health issues if there is no outlet for the growing sense of malaise. Within Western societies where hierarchical structures exist and people's lives are governed by antiquated rules and ideologies that empower the few at the expense of the many, apathy is the most prevalent mood of the majority. Interestingly, if we look at the street art below the individual has some kind of collar around his neck with what looks like a chain link. Don't get me wrong, the possibility for positive change is always there but unfortunately, inertia is the most likely result unless there is a collective push or more commonly, a societal breakdown based on perceived inequalities of wealth.
Yes, but it will take time.
Cycling Versus Pedestrianism.
I noticed this sign and inwardly cheered. One of the currently negative aspects of cycling that is often overlooked is the tendency of some cyclists to either dangerously occupy the pavements or else to be speeding. There have been many occasions when cyclists has narrowly missed pedestrians at crossings or simply by occupying the pavements. The current push towards cycling as a viable means of transportation may be useful to some but conversely, some cyclists could perhaps use a proficiency test. After all licenses are required of car and motorcyclists, so why not cyclists? I am glad that Brighton Council put up this sign. They would be valuable in London too!
I couldn't agree more.
The Cow with the Worried, Psychotic Eyes.
I spotted this cow on the pier. It was advertising a small ice cream kiosk. I was struck by the cow. The eye haunted me. This cow has a story to tell. A story of strange men and women coming round at unfortunate times of the day and night tampering with its nether regions for the secret off colour fluid, which will be used in some pretty over priced ice cream. This is a cow who is seeking revenge on the human race. This cow is called Doris and she knows where you live.
Doris the Cow.
Tradition is a Deckchair.
I always get a warm, fuzzy feeling when I see deckchairs on the beach for hire. It's such an antiquated tradition. The sensation of sitting in an uncomfortable seat on a pebbly beach for a couple of hours for money. Of course, if you are quick, you can sit on the chair then run up the beach when the deckchair attendant arrives. But seriously, is there no other alternative to the humble deckchair in the 21st Century? Still, a pleasing combination of colours. Green and white like a humbug (humbugs are for sale in many of the shops in Brighton. Subtle advertising or mere coincidence, you decide!)
Oh, I do like to sit for money.
But what is it?
I spotted this on the pavement and although, I agree with the message it promotes, can someone please tell me what the animal is that this visual depicts? I think that we are being lead to believe that it is a dog but it could also be a pony or an unhappy unicorn producing glorious sparkly clouds for happy tourists? The unicorn has lost its horn. But seriously, how are you going to enforce this policy? Brighton and Hove basically consists of miles of walkable space. I do have this dream of seeing council staff dressed like spacemen in their decontamination suits walking down the streets but my world is not the same as yours.
It's a unicorn that has lost its horn.
The Skeletal Remains of a Pier.
The West Pier closed in 1975 and has since become more and more derelict. I have just learnt that it was the first pier to be Grade 1 listed but this has not protected the structure. It's sad to see an iconic site reduced to a skeleton but on the other hand, it does make for some rather interesting photographs. Something about decay and residual remains fascinates me. I think if you compare it with the remaining pier, you are struck by the sheer absurdity of life and business in general. Where the money isn't available to rebuild, it is deemed more appropriate to simply forget that the old pier is still in existence, its structure transformed into a resting and I guess nesting spot for birds. Looking at it from a distance lures you in and makes you wish that you could climb among the remains, regardless of the danger it poses to health. As a metaphor for the declining fortunes of many seaside towns, this structure is up there with the deserted fairgrounds outside of the high season with their faded paint.
Don't climb.
Earnest the Seagull.
In Brighton and other coastal towns, seagulls are given a bad reputation for stealing chips and other food items from stupid tourists who fail to realise that although human beings perceive themselves as better than every other creature, they are not really. Earnest the Seagull is an unofficial lifeguard on Brighton Beach. He watches out for any stray animal, child or drunk adult who may get too close to the sea. Over the years, he has developed a sophisticated form of body language to warn anyone who may be approaching a dangerous situation. He lifts his left wing. Earnest is my kind of hero.
Never underestimate the power of the Gull.
The Upside-Down House.
Apparently, this isn't just a tourist attraction for people with a predilection for living with your head on the ground. It is part of a housing project. I am not sure much thought has gone into the problems associated with the accumulation of water on its top but it looks nice on a sunny day.
To some, this is vertically challenged.
Inside the Sea Life Centre.
It's interesting to think that some of the structure of the Sea Life Centre is probably the same as it has been for decades. The Brighton Aquarium has always been in the same location and has undergone changes over the years but looking at its architecture, the visitor truly feels that time has not really past at all. The changing lighting scheme creates some pretty effects and makes you feel as though you are living through a psychedelic experience minus the mushrooms and drugs.
Look up, always look up.
Do Jellyfishes taste of Jelly?
Everyone should have a jellyfish in their lives. A blobby, transparent dancer with tentacles that can sting. Personally, I wouldn't want to eat a jellyfish. One of the saddest things you will ever see is the sight of a Jellyfish washed up on the beach. I saw one in Wales once and someone had put their sandals on it. Don't eat jellyfish. They don't like it.
Hello, Little Friend.
Nick Cave on the wall.
Upon leaving the Sea Life Centre, you enter a tunnel with lots of excellent street art. I believe that there were depictions of many of the personalities associated with Brighton and Hove. As Nick Cave spent many years living and working in the area, he has earned his position on the wall.
Nick Cave looking moody or pensive.
Pose like a model. Live the dream.
In an age of perceived equality, you can still stick your head behind holes and let other people take your photos. Personally, I would prefer to stick my head where the mermaid's face should be. The diver is taking up way too much space and I don't like his thumb. It could be loaded. In case, you are wondering, this marvellous photo opportunity is on Brighton Pier.
Oh dear!
The Private Shop Has Closed.
In an age of apparently enlightened thinking and a growing awareness of sexuality, it amuses me to see 'Private Shops' scattered everywhere. This one has gone out of business and what you can't see is the mattress that someone had dumped outside of its once hallowed entrance. There is another shop of its ilk down the road from this one but sometimes, I wish for a world where the human body is celebrated for what it is, a decaying receptacle of life, love and various levels of indulgences. Walking past this closed business reminded me of the chain of shops, the Popular Book Centres that thrived in the 80s. These were shops that regularly consisted of comics and nice books out the front and a small area around the back where gentlemen in raincoats could pick up their special magazines. Times change but the sentiment of repressive thinking doesn't.
I went there looking for a private or a shop but found neither.
A Concluding Remark.
I enjoyed my day in Brighton and my endless walk towards Hove and back. The town still holds many attractions for people who want to escape from realities of daily life. As ever, if you want decent fish and chips steer yourself away from the Pier. I still find piers weird places. They encapsulate many of the features of most coastal towns such as fairgrounds, amusement arcades and strange places to eat in one place yet still feel uninviting and structurally unsound (just don't look down). Brighton is definitely the place to go to be alone in a crowd.
Barry Watt - 5th August and 7th August 2019.
Afterword.
The Brighton Toy and Model Museum doesn't open on Mondays (and also it transpires Sundays too!):
The Sea Life Centre is worth a visit:
Nick Cave is one of the most talented singer/songwriters out there and unsurprisingly, he has quite a few websites dedicated to him and quite a big fanbase:
The Popular Book Centres that existed in the 80s are not to be confused with any store that may have opened since with the same name or have maybe changed their choice of merchandise.
If anybody wants me to remove any of the images, I can do that. Hopefully, the figures are obscured enough by bad lighting and environmental features.
BW.
