DNA Trail

Cancer Research have come up with 21 giant DNA sculptures inspired by the DNA double helix form, which are designed by artists, designers and sculptors around the world. They form a trail around London to raise aware and funds to put forwards in constructing the Francis Crick Institute in King’s Cross to carry out research and make breakthroughs. The trail is being held from 29 June to 6 September 2015 (10 weeks) with the Auction taking place in September.

I found that it was much more preferable to go during the weekday when the offices and galleries are open, which I found the hard way when I approached some complexes to only find out that it was closed. If you want to get up close and see the sculptures directly in front of you, then the best shot would be the weekdays. Even more to the fact I mainly chose the wrong times to go searching for these sculptures (peak lunchtime!) and having to tell a lot of people to hop off so I can point my camera and snap. It’s also a far-reaching opportunity to visit sites such as the Royal Opera House, head down to South Kensington for a trio of museums or even do some shopping in the West End. Along the trail, there are facts about the DNA found on each sculpture plaque.

Changes were made to Ted's Helix of Haberdashery by Ted Baker, which had a cat and mouse pieces affixed on it, but were sadly removed until they are replaced on auction due to the mouse sustaining damage (I suspect foul play).

1. The Journey by Guy Portelli - Royal Albert Hall, South Steps, SW7 2AP

2. Untitled 1 by Ai Weiwei - Christie’s window, 85 Old Brompton Rd, SW7 3LD

3. Colours Through Speed by Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar - South Kensington Station, Pelham Street, SW7 2NB

4. Growing Stem by Orla Kiely - Dovehouse Green, King's Road, SW3 5UF

5. Double Helix Noir by Thierry Noir - Duke of York Square, King's Road, SW3 4LY

6. Double Dutch Delft Blue DNA by Chris & Xand van Tulleken - Victoria Station, near WH Smith, SW1E 5ND

7. Soul by Aston Martin - Cardinal Place window, 80 Victoria Street, SW1E 5JL

8. Mayoral Helix by Mayor of Westminster - Great George Street, outside No. 10, SW1P 3AE

9. Ted's Helix of Haberdashery by Ted Baker - Broadwick Street near Carnaby Street, W1F 9PE

10. Silver by Michael Howells - Top of South Molton Street, Bond Street, W1K 5RG

11. Untitled 2 by Ai Weiwei - Darren Baker Gallery window, 81 Charlotte Street, W1T 4PP

12. Life by Darren Baker - Trafalgar Square, WC2H 0HE

13. Creativity for Survival by Pilar Enrich - Trafalgar Square, WC2H 0HE

14. Enigma by Jane Morgan - Coutts window, The Strand, WC2R 0Q

15. Helix by Zaha Hadid - Stamp Staircase Basement, South Wing, Somerset House, WC2R 1LA

16. Chromo by Tim Ashley - Waterloo Station, outside M&S, SE1 8SW

17. Birth of the Universe by Andrew Logan - Festival Gardens, St Paul's, EC4M 8AD

18. After The Race by Ross Brawn - Peter's Hill, St Paul's, EC4V 5EY

19. Bios by Nick Gentry - Barbican Centre, Foyer of Cinema 2 & 3, Beech Street, EC2Y 8AE

20. Orange Tree by Leyla Aliyeva - King's Cross Station, near Leon, N1C 4T

21. Ascension - Twisted Ladder in Wood by Benjamin Shine - St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston 

#DNAtrail

Grosvenor Square Garden

Grosvenor Square Garden is one of London’s Royal Parks and is the September 11 Memorial Garden, which is overseen by the Roosevelt Memorial Act of Secretary of State. It is a property of the Duke of Westminster hence getting its name from the family.

In the 1720s, some of the Grosvenor family member begun developing the park, as a focal point to their estate. Initially, there was only limited access given to local residents to look after and care for. The design of the park took up a shape of an oval which is the shape it is to this day. During the 19th and 20th century, trees were introduced with the park taking upon a simpler form.

From the 1930s, the park started to have a strong association with the USA with the embassy being established at 1 Grosvenor Square by the park. The President Roosevelt Memorial and the Eagle Squadron monument have been erected since then.

During World War II, the park was severely damaged from the onset of war. In 1946, the park was made a public space as part of the peacetime celebrations. The Ministry of Works looked after the park during this duration.

Sums of contributions from all over the United Kingdom were put forward to erect the President Roosevelt statue through a memorial committee, as a way to remember Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In the presence of King George VI, the statue was unveiled by Mrs Franklin Delano Roosevelt, on 12 April 1948.

The Eagle Squadrons Memorial was created to commemorate the 244 Americans and 16 British fighter pilots and other personnel serving USA during World War II in the 3 Royal Air Force Eagle Squadrons. It was erected in 1985.

The September 11 Memorial Garden was created in memory of the lost ones during the attack of 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in USA as a testament to their love and courage. Consultations were sought with family members and the Memorial Garden was opened on 11 September, 2003. The columns of the pergola are made of a single oak trunk. 67 British citizens lost during the attacks are commemorated on the 3 bronze plaques on display at the pergola.

The Memorial Stone, carved by hand, has an extract from the American poet Henry Van Dyke. Under the Memorial Stone contains a steel girder preserved by resin, which was recovered from the World Trade Center. In the surroundings in the Garden contains flowers with their unique representations: Coneflower, Ivy, Lily, Phlox, Rosemary and White Rose Sally Holmes. The flowers were inspired by a posy presented to the Queen at a special memorial service.

#RoyalParks

Shaun in the City - Shirley's Trail

Shirley’s Trail is a trail as part of Shaun in the City, exploring landmarks starting from Tate Modern, heading into the areas around St. Pauls and ending off at the Barbican Centre. There are in total 13 sculptures on this trail which covers 3km.

19. Br-ewe-nel - Tate Modern - Bankside

20. To Sheep Perchance to Dream - The Globe Theatre - Peter's Hill

21. Sheep Shape & Bristol Fashion - Peter's Hill - Gavin Strange

22. Out of this World - City of London Information Centre - Josh & Aimee Williams

23. Baa-roque - St. Paul’s Cathedral, St. Paul’s Churchyard - Sadie Butler

 

24. Literary Lamb - Temple Bar - P J Crook

 

25. Hamish - Paternoster Square - Ros Franklin

26. Chelsea Pen-Shaun-er - The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Gardens, St. Paul’s Cathedral - in honour of The Chelsea Pensioners

27. A Capital View - Festival Gardens - Laura Cramer

28. Fine & Gandy - One New Change Passage - David Gandy

29. Woolly Wiggle - One New Change Lower Level - Zandra Rhodes

30. The Guardian – Guildhall, Aldermanbury - Vivi Cuevas

31. Counting Sheep - Barbican Centre, Silk Street Entrance - Gerald Scarfe

#ShaunintheCity

Camley Street Natural Park

Camley Street Natural Park can be found at King’s Cross which bridges the gap between the city and nature, where you can escape the hustle and the bustle of the city life and seek haven in this nature reserve.

The park was initially created as an old railway coal yard in 1984, which was saved by campaigns run by local nature enthusiasts. The park now is a habitat a myriad of animals and a beating heart for the London Wildlife Trust volunteers. The park, covering 2 acres, is home to different birds, insects and many other animals within habitats of grassland, wetland and woodland.

There is much to explore and lose yourself in marshlands, shrubberies, meadows, ponds, ascending and descending stairs. There are many sights to see such hazel fencing which is made from hazel wood woven together and spaces for private growing.

The park itself is by Regent’s Canal which can be seen from the banks running alongside the park. The Viewpoint is another platform to view the canal from inspired by the rocky islands of the Nordic Coastline encouraging people to take in the views of nature in conjunction with architecture. Viewpoint is designed by Erko Aarti, Arto Ollila and Mikki Ristola and commissioned by the Finnish Institute in London and the Architecture Foundation.

The Park is free to access and is around the corner from Granary Square, which is something else very much worth seeing.

#CamleyStreet