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Contributor’s City Index Your Turn

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https://vimeo.com/111570584

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y1ZsorhzSw

EditorsLetter.

Blank Canvas is a magazine thatintroduces a new way to

explore the best out of Birmingham City. Birmingham, being the second biggest city in the United Kingdom, must have some unrevealed parts we are unaware of. Everyone working on Blank Canvas aimed to get the best out of the City, so we delved in using a simple map and a unique tool such as a penny, to search the bustling streets of Birmingham. Each of our editiors threw the penny at the map at random and investigated the area for exciting aspects that the City hold. Throughout the magazine you will be able to read about our journey from the map and penny idea, then you will have your chance to partake in your own journey with our help and suggestions of events. Please feel free to use the front cover to document your experiences.

From everyone at the magazine, we all hope you appreciate our journey and enjoy your own.

Blank Canvas

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As a person who has only ever been

to Birmingham to study at the University, I knew little

about Birmingham apart from the classic red brick stereotype

and the history of industrialisation. You would assume Birmingham

would revel in its proud history, from the many revolutionary inventions to its

contribution in the war etc., yet there is a feeling of haste to

demolish these old constructions and stamp out the history with more modern designs.

For example, the Alpha Tower was constructed in 1971 originally as the headquarters for ATV studios which produced many memorable TV shows such as Bullseye (1981-90), New Faces (1973-78), Chris Tarrant’s Tiswas (1974-82), Les Dennis’ Family Fortunes (1989 series) and Spitting Image, even appearing in the Cliff Richard film Take Me High

(1973). Therefore it has certainly had an impact on televisual and cultural history and should not just be disregarded due to it not having kept up with the modern architectural demands of the 21st century.

Surprisingly to people’s relief, Birmingham City Council plan to bulldoze this historical

building to make way for some generic office blocks, because

apparently it is an eyesore. However after seeing this piece

of architecture I think Birmingham is in such a hurry

to get rid of its rich heritage whereas they should be

relishing it, particularly the Victorian and

Edwardian architectonic

ancestry.

Ignorance, greed and a complete void of appreciation has caused many fine Victorian buildings to have been demolished. Fortunately though, a nationwide group, the Victorian Society, has managed to save the demolition of architectural gems in the last 40 years for, above all else, posterity reasons. The Birmingham group have been instrumental in the salvation of key buildings such as the Former Central Post Office in Victoria Square, Spring Hill

Library on Icknield Street and most

recognisably Curzon Street

Station. In my opinion, these pieces of historical architecture break up the horizon of square office blocks

and shopping centres,

and should only be touched

for purposes of restoration.

What illustrates Birminwgham’s broad architectural history is the number of examples of different styles of architecture, for example; Medieval, Georgian and Regency, Victorian, Edwardian and Inter-war era and contemporary including the famous Blobitecture style of the Bullring. The Old Crown pub in Digbeth is one of the oldest pubs in Birmingham, expressed by its medieval style exterior and the Hall of Memory in Centenary Square is an example of inter-war architecture; these wouldn’t daren’t be demolished so why should any other of Birmingham’s historical buildings be?

John Baskerville was the creator of Baskerville typography in 1757, he had a love for typography but his first love was lettering. All typography is created on the similar rules to eachother but they are also all very different.When making a typeface you have to take things into account like the acender, baseline and decender and when John Baskerville was making his typography he had all of those things to keep in mind, he didn’t just slap some writing on a page and be done with it. There was a long thought

process behind it and because of his decisions making his typography it is now one of the most famous typefaces around the world. John Baskerville liked to use a unique purple and black ink soot, most commonly used in glass lamps, he enjoyed using this unique ink because of the way the ink printed it was an uncommon ink to use so people around the 18th century could identifiy John Baskerville work

from the ink he had used within his work. Something else that made John Baskerville work distinctive was the way he used hot pressed paper from the Japansisement techinque.

John Baskerville was not only a typographer with a love for lettering but he was also a very well respected member of the Luna society in Birmingham. Birmingham was home to John

Baskerville which is where Baskerville typeface was created, which was not the only new typeface that was created within the 18th century but it was the most successful one that is still around to this day.

John Baskerville was a very flamboyant man with a colourful character and a very crazy lifestyle from being a very respected businessman creating things in which most people would only dream of being able to do, to a very caring man towards his lover

he conducted his life and death as if it were a performance within a theatre for others to watch. This probably had something to do with having a lot of money as rich people through time have

always enjoyed showing off to there friends and companions.This is a monument for John Baskerville a few yards from where his home in Birmingham once stood, he lived and worked in

Birmingham from 1748-1775. The letters on the stones which stand outside here are the letter punches which he cut to make his type. The word virgil, is Baskerville’s first published book which are punched into the stone letters outside what would have been Baskerville home.

Its

Custard Factory where I heard the noise of wheels hitting the floor as skateboarders rode from left to right which is hidden from view all the vintage shops and arty businesses.

On a quest to find out more about Birmingham and get the most out of our city we searched the areas our pennies landed, on the hunt for the most interesting parts of the busy and industrial City. My coin landed on Digbeth, a quirky area that is located the East side of Birmingham. In the heart of Digbeth, is The

I wanted to learn more about this interesting use of space, such as why was it placed here? When did it open? How can I find out more about this space?

one big family, a great community. ”“

”

I had the opportunity to interview one of the skateboarders I met and photographed at Ideal. It was definitely a worthwhile experience; I gained a different insight on Birmingham and into his skateboarding lifestyle. My main goal of the interview was to find out as much as I could about Ideal skating and why I hadn’t heard about it until this one day my one penny coin landed on Digbeth. I’m not a skateboarder myself so Iwanted to explore the space I found by getting a greater understanding through the process of interview. I have visited Digbeth several times before this trip and I have never seen or heard about Ideal before so its news to me! I also tried to get some best kept secrets of the best places to go in Birmingham, I unfortunately only got a fast food shop out of him!

Me: How did you find out about Ideal?Jordan: It began as a childhood activity in the local community then I started to skate at the old Ideal skateboard ramp at Corporation Street,Birmingham. Then they moved here to Digbeth.Me: Who runs/funds Ideal?Jordan: Its not funded by anyone, its run by Bob Sanderson, Chris and Zippy who work in the Ideal shop round the corner in the Custard Factory.Me: Oh so its not free? Do you think that might make some people want to skate here less?Jordan: Its £2 to skate all day here, its open until 5pm everyday and on Wednesdays it opens later, its worth the

money and its a better atmosphere than skating on the streets. I’ve met some good friends through Ideal, I would recommend it. Erm, it might stop some people coming to skate, they may not have the money, but for most of us it keeps us off the streets (he laughs.)Me: Ideal does have a warm Family feel to it even just watching you from the outside, are most of you from around Birmingham?Jordan: Yes, born and raised in Birmingham! And most of the people are local; you have to be to know about Ideal.Me: So if you’ve been skating for almost all your life, where else have you skated in Birmingham?Jordan: Erm, a few places you may not have heard of as you’re not local but Kings Norton, Bearwood, Creation, Smiths Wood and Colsehill.. they’re just a few!Me: And how often have you been coming here for?Jordan: Ideal shop has been open 24 years but the ramp

has been open for about 6 years and I try and come here 3 to 4 times a week, sometimes less.Me: So how long have you been involved with Ideal? You seem really close with the owners!Jordan: I’ve been skating with them for about 15 years now, its one big family, a great community.Me: Would you say the ramp is well hidden? I’ve been to Digbeth quite a few times now and this is the first time I have seen or heard of you before, why do you think that is?Jordan: Yeah, even though it is in the Custard factory you would have to know the area to know where you are going, or you would need to know the Ideal company. Me: Is this space used for anything else like events or shows? Jordan: Yes but only skating

related like skate jams and events and then everyday skating Monday-Friday.Me: Oh the space looks really arty especially with that ceramic head I imagined it to hold art events and shows maybe.Jordan: No the ramp always stays, but the space is quite arty I guess.Me: So why do you skate? I see you have a brother skating over there, is it a family thing?Jordan: (He laughs) No not a family thing just me and my brother that skate. I do it because I love it, its more than just a hobby to me, its my passion and its fun. Me: You and your brother certainly have a specific style, I think all skateboarders have a unique dress sense, almost like you can tell a skateboarder when you see one! To me you are a typical example, do you have a specific clothing brand you wear and does it have anything to do with your hobby?

Jordan: (He Laughs) Our own style! I wear a lot of brands not just one, Ideal shop sell some good stuff to skateboard in I’ll take you round there, shoes, boards, clothes everything! My favourite brands I guess are; Emerica, Icrew, Spitfire, Nike sb, Adidas, Independant. Me: As I’m reasonably new to the area, is there anything in Birmingham you could recommend for me? Even better, anything you could recommend our readers, a place not many know about or something that is a personal favourite of yours?Jordan: Custard Factory, I know its not well hidden but its very creative and always changing! I’d also say Brindley Place, and I highly recommend Dixy Chicken! (he laughs.)

Canals through Birmingham.

anals along Birmingham are one of the most intricate networks in the world. The hub of the BCN is the bustling city centre junction at Gas street Basin.Colourful boats and historic canal architecture sit side-by-side with viberant modern resturants, cafes and bars. The basin is in the heart of Birminghams cosmopolitian nightlife and shopping district. Through my search on canals I’ve explored Canal Street and photographed the bustling Canalside which is surrounded by restaurants and a pub called the ‘The Malt house’ were I work and where many people socialise. Birmingham’s busy and vibrant city town is always buzzing with colour and movement and through the city, creative and cutural elements that many people may not be able see against the hustle and bustle of everyday life.So through the magazine I want to open up the city and highlight Birmingham from a cultural perspective and show what the colourful city has to offer.

Through my travels around the diverse route of Birmingham’s canals, I explored and found the historical waterways which are

still in use today. Along my travels I came across the 19th-century equivalent of a motorway, the Birmingham Canal Main Line cuts an arrow-straight course from Gas Street Basin in the City Centre to Tipton. This impressive waterway runs through massive cuttings and bold embankments. I find the canals a centre point of the community and a focal point I feel is being more and more accessible to the general public as this waterway is situated between restaurants and modern architecture. I wanted to illustrate my tour round the canals through photography and wanted to capture the historical waterway but in a 21st century light. The line also sent me round to Birmingham canalside which is open to the famous Canalside pub which over looks the fast working area of the canals where they depart from. This spot is home to the canal tunnels and main junction of the canal root, also the photograph I have taken which is on the spread. To hide away from the 21st centry, canalside is home to the ‘Gas street Basin’ which takes you round the more rural side of the canal with old Victorian architecture and a stretch of water that homes not only people but also wildlife. I found it relaxing and a break from the rush of the canal traffic.

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Gun Quarter

The Gun Quarter is a district in Birmingham, which was the centre of

the global gun manufacturing industry. The Gun Quarter was a part of Digbeth before it moved to its current location which is at the north-west fringes of Birmingham on the estate known as the Weaman around Whittle Street. A directory was created in 1767 by Sketchley to catalogue the number of factories that were in the area and found that there was 62 separate workshops that were involved in the gun making processes.

In 1689 the Government entered an agreement with five local gun manufactorers in Birmingham to supply them with 200 muskets per month in the year of 1692.

Did you know that during the World War one and two, Birmingham became one of the many supplies of guns to the armed forces?

The Government employed female workers to help run the factories and supply guns to the frontlines whilst the men were off fighting but they kept some of the men who knew how to construct the guns.

There are a few companies that I have heard of, which are still in the process of creating guns and barrels. There are a few that I know of like ‘Westley Richards& co Ltd’ and the ‘Birmingham Proof House’.

Did you know ‘The Proof House’ is not actually in the Gun Quarter like most would think it would be? It in Digbeth on Banbury Street and still to this day distributing guns around the world. In the past The Proof House help supply guns to the Napoleonic war and the American Civil War mostly on the side of the American South.

Westley Richards & Co Ltd is a unique guns maker from Birmingham and for the last 200 years they have been making Rifles and Shotguns to the costumer wishes. If you wish to you have your own gun built to one of the styles they create and then would like to have it engraved to any design.

Gun Engraving

Whilst I was discovering about the guns that are still being made in

Birmingham, they also had engravings on them.

When I saw the amazing engravings that were created on the barrel, I found myself thinking up ideas of what I would want to have engraved a gun barrel, such as the New York skyline or the London skyline or an engraving of my family, but the engravings would be limited by the size of the barrel and where that engraving was placed.

I have design an engravng that I would like to be featured in the magazine, but I thought that it would be a good idea if the penny that we have been dropping on the map would be engraved on the barrel.

BEST STREETS FOR STREET ART

1. City of Colour street art tours.These 90 minute tours are bursting with vibrance and talent, with a detailed over view of 40 artists the guides trave with you across some of the most exciting streets for street art including Digbeth and the streets surrounding. (City of Colour is an festival for street artists in Birmingham.)

ENTERTAINMENT

1. CircusMASH.This is for both adults and children of the west midlands, CircusMASH promote a positive change through circus arts by building confidence and self esteem as it is possible to achieve the unimaginable!

2. The Eletric Cinema.Is the oldest working cinema in the United Kingdom which opened in 1909 and its right in the very heart of your city centre. From that to the modern “giant screen” in the Minellium point which is a parallel to the traditional Eletric Cinema.

From all of us at Blank Canvas, we

wanted to give you a little helping hand for the start of journey with our tips and recommendations for getting the best out of Birmingham. Please take the penny and use the map at the start (or use your own) to start your expedition.

FOODIE TIPS

1. Digbeth Dining Club.This is not for a posh ball gown evening, the Digbeth dining club strips back all the frills of high end dining and serves and your food right infront of your eyes. Street food at its finest at affordable prices right infront of your eyes. where you take in the cultures of the food on the bustley streets.

2. Brindley Place. Comes alive at night with food and entertainment, live music playing on the canals at no cost. Or do you fancy a day time bite, well you can hop on a boat inspired by Paris dining and eat in one of the canals boat resteraunts.

3. Chung Ying.One of Birminghams very first chinese resteraunts. The demand for chinese food grew rapidly in 1987 and it still carries on today. Chung ying remains as Birminghams best chinese resteraunts with the menu holding up to 400 dishes all freshly prepared.

4. Dine Birmingham.www.dinebirmingham.co.uk holds updates and reviews on the “nations food and drink capital”.

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. Digbeth First FridayReturns on the friday the 7th of november where the budding creative side of birmingham comes together, the first friday of every month with late night openings, live music, street food, special events and more, its worth a visit!

2. Eye Candy Festival.13th-15th of novemberReturns to the creative heart of Birmingham, Digbeth this November.The festival will get your creative juices flowing with the art work of Illustrators, Photographers, Street Artists and more.

3. Frankfurt Market and Craft Fair. 13th of nov- 22nd dec.The largest German market outside of Austria and Germany holds a great christmassy atmosphere with lots to see and do, lots of drinking and eating to. Drink mulled wine while you shop for traditonal decorations and gifts.

EditorialTeam

Nina N

oonA

nimator, Illustrator

Lily O’N

eillIllustrator, Interview

er

Alice R

eddenPhotographer, Illustrator

Carrie R

obertsTypographer, G

raphic Desgner

Rennia R

ichardsFilm

editor, Illustrator