A Picture Postcard World

I was directed earlier this week by the always wonderful Katie Smith to the Time Shift programme on BBC 4 about postcards. Titled “The Picture Postcard world of Nigel Walmsley” it's a nice little jaunt though the history and uses of the postcard. Do forgive it's beginning and apparent grumpy old man character, it soon warms up and is filled with all sorts of nuggets of information, including some I didn't know.

Running the history of the postcard from it's heyday in 1902 to 1919 (ish), delving into the variety of cards available, talking about collecting, the resurgence of card usage in the 1960's to 1980's as well as a fair sprinkling of information about postcards as art, which is always something I enjoy (though I'll take mail art over Gilbert and George any day), it covers the social issues and changes throughout this century.

Also worth a look is the postcard blog from Daniel Weir which can only be described as a celebration of John Hinde and a huge nostalgia trip. Not only do I adore the aesthetic qualities in a John Hinde postcard but the subjects covered are hugely reminiscent and often downright exact to how I remember my summer holidays growing up and never stepping foot outside the UK.

http://wishingiwashere.wordpress.com/

It also finally forced me to start the process of archiving my own collection. But I'm not sure any of those will end up online for all to see. After a day of work I've scanned 60 and am currently trying to put those first 60 in a database.

Beats from the Jungle Drums

Exciting times!
I woke up this morning and checked the Jungle City website to see if my Orangutan Welcome to Jungle City Edinburgh had been moved from the Botanics to it's new home in the city. Expecting that they were being moved as predicted on the 6^th and having heard the day before that many of the sculptures were packing up and being relocated I was eager to reveal where he was now located.

I knew he had been getting a good response from the photographs that were appearing around the interwebs, as well as reports coming in from friends who went up for the Fringe. From what else I've seen, the project in general has been garnering a really good response. The Botanics apparently seeing a 77% increase in visitors from this time last year. Impressive considering the weather.

Well I do wish I was up there as his new location is confusing me a little. According to the map (which can be downloaded here) Welcome to Jungle City Edinburgh is no. 64 and is located at The Meadows which is a park to the south of the City Centre. However no.64 on the visual map seems to be located somewhere on George Street near the Assembly Rooms right in the shopping centre of Edinburgh. When I know where he actually is I will be tweeting about it, so if you don't already follow me on Twitter (or Facebook if you prefer) you should. ;)

Now my Orang has moved I can reveal a few more details. He has been sponsored by Eco Movers/Matt Purdie and Sons and apparently is on the Audio Guide! So if you have an iphone you can download this app which will lead you on a tour of the 50 or so animals out of the 130 that celebrities have leant their voices to. I don't have an iphone so I've yet to hear it.

Finally if he is on George Street he is really near to Harvey Nichols, which is where you can go to find the Jungle City pop up shop. If you want a mini version of the sculptures you can order one from there as well as The Art Book with a front cover with the lovely Loz Atkinson's hornbill One for the Rock, One for the Crow, One to Die, One to Grow on it (I thought mine was a long title). Mine is on page 67. The Art Book, T-Shirts and some plain coloured mini sculptures are currently available on their online shop.

Finally you should check out the Jungle City website, it's had a redesign with all this new information including pages for all their artists.

Welcome to Jungle City Edinburgh 2011