Sunday, November 23, 2008

Irwell

I was caught out one monday afternoon. Caught out in a fevourish downpour, walking the streets. I crossed over into Salford, over the normally sedate Irwell - now a fast flowing swell. Cold and soaking wet I sat in the bay window of the Mark Addy, overhanging the river waters, rising just below. The Irwell was swollen, moving along with a renewed power. Quickening, as if alive. But just barely alive. The contaminated waters, with centuries old pollutants, carried along fresh debris - branches, pallets, plastics, deadwood anything that could be coughed up or thrown in. This flow of filth was strangely hypnotic, less and less a river, more and more a history dirge. The city had turned its back on the Irwell. And in moments like this it demanded its recompense. The murky water splashing and thrashing against its brick-laid banks, sounding out threats to the new glass buildings above. Threats, but only threats. This river subdued, poisoned, barely alive.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

The Reclining Buddha for Fag Baboon Illustration