Statues of people with disabilities

Changing trains recently at Šiauliai in Lithuania, I noticed something that I don't think I've seen a lot before.

On the platform, there is a statue of Stasys Nosys on a plinth, depicting his visible disability.

Stasys Nosys statue, Šiauliai 

Stasys Nosys (1905-1976) was a strongman and bodybuilder. In 1926, he lost both of his legs in an accident. He continued his training and performed in circuses with feats of strength, like breaking stones apart with his fist or lifting up a truck. 

There was false propaganda in the Soviet Union that there were no people with disabilities, and thus  Stasys Nosys was prohibited from his circus work.

I then started thinking whether I had seen statues depicting people with disabilities.

Alison Lapper sculpture, Abxbay, Wikimedia Commons

I remembered the sculpture of Alison Lapper that was displayed on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square between 2005 and 2007 (and is in Venice in this photograph). Somehow, I didn't think of this as a 'commemorative' statue, as Alison Lapper is still alive.

Beethovenhaus, Bonn

I also thought of this statue of Beethoven, at the museum which now occupies his home in Bonn. His disability is not visible, but perhaps it is still present in the sculpture?

What other examples do you know of statues depicting people with disabilities?

Overheard: Canary Wharf

On a recent visit to London, I paid a visit to the Winter Lights festival in Canary Wharf. Among the shiny skyscrapers, bright lights and concrete surroundings, there were a variety of light artworks. I'm not sure what I make of light-art festivals - the art feels like an afterthought in some cases.

As I walked around Canary Wharf, I sometimes wondered if I was in an episode of Industry. And I overheard these:

• They're gonna build another building here, see?
  
  
• The risk is that I run into people from work
  
  
• I did enjoy that semi promotion effect.
  
  
• All they want is yer facking money innit.
  
  
• I said to her, 'Do I have to keep pushing you like this? We'll give it one more chance.'
  
  
• Is this part of your working week?
  
  
• No matter what... that guy hates Arsenal!
  
  
• They've just just gone off the grid, it's weird.
  

Overheard: Richmond & Ted Lasso pub

During a recent trip to London, I paid a visit to Richmond. While I was there, I thought to look around some Ted Lasso filming locations. The building which 'played' Ted's apartment now has a shop dedicated to Ted Lasso / AFC Richmond. I decided to have a drink at The Prince's Head, the exterior of which is The Crown & Anchor in the series.

The bar is a fairly typical English pub, serving food and drinks. The staff were friendly, in that English charming way. What I noticed most was a more-than-typical number of tourists visiting because of the Ted Lasso connection. And I love people watching and listening, so here's what I saw and heard.

• 3 boys wandering in but getting turfed out 'without mum and dad'
  
  
• Two German men carefully asking how many millilitres are in a pint of beer
  
  
• Two Americans deciding to split their meal - 'Sharing a fish and chips, are we boys?'
  
  
• Two guys debating what 'other shows are actually on Apple TV...?' They agreed on The Morning Show with Rachel from Friends.
  
  
• A family of five ordering their drinks, and then all instantly started looking at their phones
  
  
• The bar was not full but busy, a steady stream of people coming in and leaving. A lot of debate from new people: Should we stand at the bar?

Overhead: London streets

Photo by Ana Paula Grimaldi on Unsplash

I was recently in London. As I walked around, I heard the following:

• I don't think we need many offences to send him to prison, but the more the merrier!
  
  
• And then I'm gonna die on the spot
  
  
• I'm not cool, am I?
  
  
• Do you know what a chicken wing is? Do you?!
  
  
• I didn't go to Paris to hang out with them!

I love it when London cosplays as ____________

The Mall with NATO flags, 2019, US Embassy in UK, Wikimedia Commons

I was recently in London, and my friends Martin and Max alerted me that Lady Olé was taking place that Saturday night. 

I had wanted to go to this party for a while so it was an easy choice to make. Spanish and Latin pop x drag x Hoxton = ¡sí, señor!

During the fun night, Max asked if I was enjoying myself and I happily replied: "Yes, I love it when London cosplays as another city."

• Like when London cosplays as Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia with Lady Olé (or other Spanish events) reminding me of parties I've been to in each city  
  
  
• Like when London cosplays as Bogotá or Barranquilla, watching football in Elephant and Castle with Colombia fans  
  
  
• Like when London cosplays as Riga, in a Bayswater bar for Latvians that's been open since the 1950s
  
  
• Like when London cosplays as Lund or any other small Swedish city at the Swedish church screening Melodifestivalen shows
  
  
• Like when London cosplays as Seoul, with a large population of Koreans living in New Malden
  
  
• Like when London cosplays as Stavanger, with parades in Southwark for Norway's National Day

So many more examples could be made - showing the global city that London is.

Circle Lines | London

London's Circle Line is one of the oldest in the world but these days Ye Olde Circle Line isn't even a circle - it's a loop with a bit hanging off the end going to Hammersmith. 

After 11 years living in London, I never actually sat on the Circle Line from end to end. So, on a trip there last week, I got on at Embankment and went anti-clockwise. 

Here's what I saw.

- Three tired and very glum-faced people, a mother and two daughters, all wrapped up in scarfs.

- A woman adjusting her socks and saying to the man beside her: "I've gotta pull my socks up, figuratively". "Literally", he corrects her.

- A woman with a lilac bob.

- A woman holding a handbag with an embroidered elephant.

- A young guy with bleach blonde hair and a bridge piercing looking intently at his phone, and clenching his jaw.

- People looking upto the tube maps above them as if seeking divine inspiration.

- "I do miss a little bit us walking around in the outside. That was awesome, that was top tier."

- "She was like 'don't worry I have a guy for you' and I was in shock."

- "I sat there with a wry smile on my face, sipping out of my pumpkin."

- A bearded man dressed all in black, sitting with his arms folded the whole time.

- A woman putting on her makeup from a bright orange compact.

- A boy excitedly telling a story about someone pointing out someone's red coat.

- Two boys passing a phone to one another without saying a word.

- A man singing the word Padd‐ing-ton and saying "smashed it!"

- A man getting stuck in the closing doors and saying sorry to everyone.

- People talking in French, Greek, Portuguese and Spanish.

Talking Statues in London

At the weekend, I spent a day listening to London's Talking Statues.

This is a new project where a number of statues talk and tell their story to you, via your phone.

I love seeing statues, I have a pinterest board dedicated to my favourite statues. I've often looked at statues and wondered "who's that dude, why's he here?" (more often than not, it is a man).

So this project really appeals to me.

Doubly so, as it's part of a wider Digital R&D project from the Arts Council, Arts and Humanities Research Council and Nesta: essentially a way to have arts organisations think differently and try out digital tools. So: it's my day-job at the Horniman.

Over the course of the day, I visited twelve of the statues. Here are some thoughts.

• I loved it. I found it great to hear from (some of) these characters, especially the historic people. Words to describe: fascinating, illuminating, funny, heartwarming, imaginative, informative. I learned things I never knew about Queen Victoria, Rowland Hill and John Wilkes.
  

• I don't think the talking statues are designed to be seen the way I did, by visiting lots in one day. It works best as serendipity, you see a statue and then the plaque telling you to hear the statue. That said, something connecting them would be good too - a hashtag or something on the plaque to give the sense that there are more to see.
  
• For me, the talking statues worked best when the statue was a real person (or animal). The fictionalisation of artworks didn't really appeal to me. But I loved hearing from the 'real' Queen Victoria, from Brunel or Rowland Hill.
  

• The technology worked well for me. I can't use NFC tags (my phone doesn't like them) but the QR codes worked fine, as did typing in an address (I used that one most).
• The NFC tag on the plaque is a symbol and the word 'Tap'. It was fascinating watching how people interpreted that. They tapped the tag with their feet, with their fingers, but never with their phones. Some people tapped repeatedly. (It reminded me of a time I saw a woman at the Horniman literally speak a question into an iPad as it had the wording "Ask a question" [we meant 'type in']).
  
• Tech fans: the 'statues' don't actually phone you. It all connects to mobile-optimised websites which cleverly package streaming audio to look and feel like a telephone call.
  
• At several of the stops, I got into conversations with other people about the technology, about the talking statues. It was quite enjoyable sharing these little moments.
  
• Even when I was alone, my presence listening and looking at the statues encouraged other people to look at the statues that little bit more.
  

• Public artworks are quite unusual in a museum sense. They often have no interpretation whatsoever.
  
• My favourite: without doubt, Queen Victoria. Two of her statues are narrated, both by Prunella Scales. A wonderful actress playing a wonderful character.
  

---

London from above: Westminster Cathedral

One of the greatest views in any city is from above.

In London, the two of the most famous ways to see the city from on high are the Shard and the London Eye.

But there are other ways (cheaper too). A few weeks ago, I went to Westminster Cathedral and took the lift to their tower to admire the views around me.

The views around Victoria show many modern buildings, lots of glass and steel offices and shopping centres - and some surprises like rooftop gardens.

Looking around from that vantage point gives a wonderful span of buildings including Westminster Abbey, the Cheesegrater, BT Tower, Walkie Talkie, the Shard, Strata SE1, Vauxhall and Battersea Power Station.

Carneval del Pueblo

Carneval del Pueblo - Europe's largest Latin American carnival which takes place in South London - was supposed to see its 2014 event yesterday. I had hoped to go along and take lots of photographs of the colourful costumes, dancing and music.

Sadly, it seems to have been postponed; the lastest in a long line of postponements or cancellations year after year. Hopefully it will be back soon as a full on parade from Elephant and Castle to Burgess Park and festival afterwards. I certainly enjoyed it.

In the meantime, here are some of my favourite photos from a previous Carneval del Pueblo.

World Cup Flags

It's been two weeks since the World Cup ended, and I'm missing seeing World Cup flags all over London.

So to satiate my vexillology longing, here are some of my favourite flag sightings.

My favourite flag sightings came about when two flags were displayed on one household or building, showing a lovely multinational mix. Like this one above from Willesden Junction: Brazilian café downstairs and a German flag flying above - a very London sight.

World Cup in London: Argentina

For the second World Cup semi-final, I chose to watch Argentina -v- Netherlands at Moo Cantina in Pimlico with lots of Argentina fans.

It was super-packed, so I again took to hanging around outside.

A nice old lady just toddled past the bar, declaring "I say, it's a full house, isn't it?". She's not wrong.

It wasn't the most exciting match (until the penalties!) so people watching was again the order of the evening.

Best thing about the Argentina fans so far? The man dressed in a grey shaggy dog onesie waving a small Argentina flag.

Argentina fan here did a very dramatic "touch wood" gesture by thumping a flower bed surround.

Singing as if they're winning: a song which seems like a ten stanza epic.

A goal was disallowed, leading to roars and disappointment.

But, in the end, Argentina came out victorious, leading to celebrations (which sadly I didn't photograph, as my phone battery was perilously low).

The Argentina fans are going crazy - chanting, bellowing, stripping off, cheering.

"Ole ole ole cada dia te queiro mas," sing the Argentina fans, "soy Argentinoooo!"

And as I sloped home on the bus, London served up fans from both Uruguay and Netherlands on the bus.

On bus home, sitting next to a fan in a Dutch t-shirt. He sat stoically watching the Argentina fans dancing up a storm.

Meanwhile, behind the Dutch fan on the bus, a lady from Argentina is posing for photos in her autographed football shirt, cackling joyously.

World Cup in London: Germany

Last night I went to watch Germany-v- Brazil with German fans at Zeitgeist, a German bar in Vauxhall.

And what a match to choose to support Germany, as they pounded Brazil 7-1.

The bar was super-packed and sold out, so I hung around on the street outside. In spite of this, the atmosphere was infectious from the bar within.

Huge cheers every time Germany get the ball here. On top of chants, singing, face painting, flag waving and general good Teutonic cheer.

Someone in the German pub has got hold of a cowbell and is not afraid to use it.

But in spite of all the surprise, joy and celebrations as all the goals poured in to the Brazilian net, there was still room for a few (jaded) German stereotypes.

Meanwhile, amongst all celebrating, a man is perched at a bench checking emails on his laptop. Insert your own German efficiency jokes.

Some men here are discussing how Angela Merkel will react.

Germans dancing on tables here. Lots of muttering about rules from the doormen.

And, as always, the best entertainment comes from watching how other people react and enjoy the game.

A German fan on a bike has just arrived late. His disbelief at the score matched by him realising he's missed ALL the goals.

Spanish woman describing her German boyfriend - "ginger and white as hell" - celebrating: "he went bright red and waaaaaaah"

World Cup in London: Brazil

I went to watch Brazil -v- Colombia on Friday evening in Willesden.

There are lots of Brazilian shops and cafés in Willesden Junction / Harlesden, so I was expecting a good atmosphere.

Wandering around before the match, I saw lots of Brazilian flags adorned houses and shops - mainly a combination of Brazilian beauty and butchers.

I first settled in a small café bar, which was pretty quiet to begin with... until Brazil scored their first goal a few minutes into the match.

It's all got a bit more lively here since the goal. A delightfully flighty woman is going around painting everyone's face green and yellow.

Nonetheless, mid-way through the first half, I decided to wander on and found The Misty Moon in Harlesden.

This large bar was full, packed full of Brazilian fans. It was a huge party.

It sounds like there's a ten piece samba band up the front of this bar. I can't see (it's so crowded), so there may well be.

There's a lot of Mexican waving going on to a Beyonce's Single Ladies soundtrack.

Two guys on a stage up the front are DJing and throwing gifts to the crowd. A bright blue raffia wig has just gone flying.

Huge energy here. A woman turns to her friend saying "You need to calm the F down" before blowing her vuvuzuela for more than a full minute.

Into the second half, Brazil were in the lead, and the celebrations had begun. Lots were paying no attention to the game, choosing to dance, laugh, party.

Then out came a huge Brazilian flag, the size of an average London flat.

A Brazilian flag the size of a house has been unfurled, with lots of enthusiastic waving.

A banner outside the bar was emblazoned with Rio de Harlesden. It really felt like I was in Brazil when the final whistle went.

The singing and dancing went on for ages. As I left, all along my bus route, more and more groups of Brazil fans were waving their flags and celebrating their victory.

Imagine what it'll be like if they actually win the World Cup!

World Cup in London: Uruguay

I've watched the World Cup with Uruguay fans before - in a bar in Leicester Square. Since then, I've wondered if there is a more authentic place to watch... a Uruguayan bar or cafe perhaps.

With that in mind, for Uruguay -v- Colombia, I headed to Canthinha do Goias in Stockwell (thanks to a tip from World in London) where I found a very dark, small room packed full of Uruguay fans, some Brazil fans and three Colombia fans!

There were lots of Uruguay flags and football shirts on display, and the small crowd were hooked on watching the match.

But it soon went south for Uruguay as Colombia scored a goal.

Colombia goal celebrated here by a mass groan from the Uruguay fans and a single overhead hand clap from the Colombian woman.

Then, just as some enthusiasm was waning, another person arrived who got everyone excited again.

Some old dude with long hair has just bounded in and got everyone shouting and chanting. Maybe he's their ambassador?!

Despite being 2-0 down, the Uruguay fans are still chanting: Vamos! Uruguay! Opa! Allioppa! Vamo! Alle! O Zelete! Vamos!

One woman here has rather hopefully tried to get a "C'mon Suarez!" chant going. The love has not been felt.

Full on singalong here now. One song goes "no passera" (not going through, I think). It's good to have a song for every occasion, isn't it?

"It is possible, it is possible!", pleads the long-haired Uruguay dude here. Others less than convinced.

In the midst of all this Spanish chanting, a Liverpudlian lad has launched into a string of ferocious expletives.

But, despite their singing, chanting and applauding, it was not possible and Uruguay were defeated and out of the World Cup. It didn't seem to phase the fans too much though; they continued dancing and singing regardless.

World Cup in London: Bosnia-Hercegovina

Yesterday, I went to watch Bosnia -v- Iran with London's Bosnian fans...

...but it was pretty hard going to find any.

After some searching, I heard about Bosnian fans congregating in a bar in Fulham, so I headed there.

I'd seen some photos of fans there watching Bosnia's previous match; the atmosphere looked good!


But when I turned up, there really wasn't anyone I could say was Bosnia. Maybe that woman in the Bosnian blue dress? The guys in suits? Maybe not...

I stayed around, half-watching the match. Bosnia were soaring and scoring 1-0, 2-0, 2-1, 3-1. It was only on the third goal that some guys cheered loudly, I realised that they were Bosnian. And so was the woman in the blue dress!

Then just before the match ended, a guy turns up draped in a Bosnian flag.

So, in the end, there wasn't a great Bosnia-supporting atmosphere, but it was good to finally find some Bosnian fans in London.

World Cup in London: Algeria

I went to watch Algeria -v- South Korea last night, with Algerian fans in Cricklewood.

I've been here before - in 2009 - when I watched a World Cup qualifying match. It was so good then, I knew I'd come back.

To run out an old football cliché, it was a game of two halves.

I spent the first half in a quiet café; the second half in a more excited café - with drums and tambourines

It's all blokes here (except for the one woman working in the cafe). Some are chatting and paying no attention to the match..

In both venues, the fans were loud and lively when Algeria scored, but sat quietly chatting for the rest of the time. Cool for school, they were.

All pretty quiet here except for the two Algerian fans wearing flags who grunt/chant whenever Algeria have a chance at goal.

The Algerian fans are certainly a bit more animated now they're 3-0 up. One man is hitting his plastic bottle on the table to celebrate. Everybody in the café is jumping, jumping.

The Algeria fans have all piled out to tge street for a celebratory fag and flag-wave.

Much like the Colombia match in Elephant and Castle, as I was standing on the street, people passing by add to it all.

- An old Irish guy just wandered past, noticing the score. "This is not over yet," he says sagely. 

 - A happy guy just went by, checked the score, and shouted "oh ho Africa!" while punching the air. 

- Man wearing an Irish soccer shirt passes, oblivious. 

- Algerian fan: "Ireland! Who're you supporting? Algeria?" 

- Irish fan: "Oh yeah, definitely" *thumbs up*

Next up: Bosnia Hercegovina -v- Iran, hopefully with Bosnia fans... if I can find them!

World Cup in London: Iran

On Monday last, I went to watch Iran -v- Nigeria with London's Iran fans.

The fans had gathered in an upstairs room of the Henry Holland pub, right by Selfridges. I had found out about it via a Facebook group Iranian Students in UK.

Now, as it turned out, this match was tiresomely boring. A nil all draw does not an interesting match make. But the Iranian fans were much more entertaining, singing, chanting, flag waving, even a little dancing. Someone brought a vuvuzuela

Happily they're all chanting "eee-ran! eee-ran!" over that vuvuzuela. You can't beat a football chant.

Someone here is chanting 'in-go-lay, in-go-lay'. I presume this means 'please score a goal and make this game interesting'.

The event wasn't as big a family affair as the Colombia match I watched - it being organised by students, I guess - but there was a little baby there, playing a little football and mildly oblivious the sport on the screen.

Most of the Iran fans here seem to be students. The Iran student look: jet black, super-quiffed hair and big dark-rimmed glasses.

There was definitely a man with a plan, a guy in charge - he had that vuvuzuela and he wasn't afraid to use it.

The chap leading the chanting is wearing a Brazil cap, England hoodie + is draped in an Iranian flag. ❤️

A blonde woman in a brown suit has just arrived. She's blowing her whistle very enthusiastically.

Full-on chant-a-thon here with the Iranian fans. Sadly still nothing doing in the goal department.

With the match limping to the draw, the Iran fans kept on singing, happily accepting the score. They certainly made watching the match more memorable.

Next up: Sunday's Algeria -v- South Korea match, with Algerian fans.

World Cup in London: Colombia

I've started watching the 2014 World Cup in London with foreign fans, as I've done before.

My first match for 2014 was Colombia -v- Greece, which I watched with lots of Colombian fans in Elephant and Castle.

There's a large Latin American community around Elephant and Castle, mainly since the 1980s. Each year the area hosts the excellent Carnaval del Pueblo, the largest Latin American carnival in Europe.

So I was expecting good things as I headed there.

My first 2014 World Cup with the foreign fans off to a glamorous start: hanging out on the street outside a butcher's with Colombian fans.

There were certainly lots of fans around - I reckon about 8 or 9 venues showing the match, all busy. The main venue, La Bodeguita, was super-busy with long queues.

Colombia-v-Greece 1at half highlights: fun family atmosphere outside the Carnería and big mass selfie being taken. 

Elephant and Castle awash with Colombian fans' yellow jerseys this afternoon #WorldCup #se1 (No hope getting in to La Bodeguita!)

There was a real family atmosphere, with all ages around, from abeulas down to babies.

I mainly hung out in two places - in a restaurant called Leños y Carbón which was packed and outside a butcher shop in a back-street which had a TV plonked on a table and lots of people watching the match.

With that second goal, the place has erupted; they're chanting Co-lom-bia!! Co-lom-bia!!

Outside the butcher's, the owner repeatedly slammed a metal tray onto the ground. Everyone found this hilarious - the first time, they weren't so keen the rest of the time.

There was a great atmosphere, taking mass photos of the whole crowd, chanting songs, doing Mexican waves and flinging popcorn around.

With Colombia's third goal and the final whistle, they all started dancing and singing and celebrating a wonderful win.

Goal 3! Lots more cheering and shouting! And now comes the music and dancing for victory!

I loved being on the street watching the match, seeing people walk past, get involved and excited by the match and cheer along with the Colombians.

Some England-flag-clad fans just went past: "Is it a pub, a café? Nah, is just a TV, innit?" This isn't *just* a TV

African taxi driver just pulled up, asking, "Are you winning?! What's the score?" His response: "OK! Good luck! Hehehe!!"

So a 3-0 victory to Colombia and lots of celebrations - there were still fans dancing hours later.

Next match for me: Iran -v- Nigeria with Iranian fans.