citylikeyou — Southbank — London by Daniel Ginns

London / Area

Southbank has organically evolved into a place of cultural significance through the persistent creative use of skateboarders spanning over generations. Southbank is currently under threat of being destroyed and replaced by coffee shops and retail outlets. There has been an alternative skate spot preposed to be built under Hungerford Bridge, this at first glance seems like an appropriate solution. Unfortunately this undermines the grassroots movement that has been developed over the years. Skateboarders have utilised the unsuspecting angles of brutalist architecture in a way they were originally not intended, in doing so they have created a space that is special and unreplicable. You can help save this historic place by signing the petition.

Address
Southbank, The Undercroft, Southbank Centre, SE1, London, United Kingdom

Photographer

Current city: London

danielginns.com

Daniel originally from Portsmouth moved to London just over 3 years ago. He works in a variety of mediums. His recent work consist of setting up structures for drawing that encourage chance to determine the form, this excludes him from making any aesthetic decision. By using this conceptual logic he creates a system in which a process is started, continued for an undetermined amount of time, then finally stopped by the rule that birthed it. This thinking is also expressed in his photography which depict the unintentionally created forms of various other processes.

More Places in London 471

London / Bar

Frank's bar opens on the roof of a multi-storey carpark in Peckham every summer. It's great to go for a drink and get this phenomenal view of London. I love the design of the bar, which is different each year, and the exhibitions are always interesting.

London / Museum

A treasure trove in the The City of London. The Archive of London. Strongrooms hold kilometres of shelving; boxes of matter that has somehow been catalogued and categorised in a traceable manner by the public, for academic, genealogical and other research. This beautiful book is from a box on Epping Forest. On the same visit, I looked through photographs of Blitz singsongs in Bethnal Green Underground station, 1980s anti-Thatcher / pro-GLC gig posters and paper concertina optical models of the Crystal Palace.

London / Place

Heaven in the heart of ugly Vauxhall. This peaceful and enchanting spot used to be squatted and has a very bohemian feel to it. Don't miss the secret garden with mosaics made of cups and plates. The food in the Italian deli is delish, a guy called Richard cooks it.

London / Pub

Classic, wood-panelled boozer with banquettes and bar stools, plus a pool table. Situated close to Goldsmiths, University of London. Vibe: Art School meets Football Fan meets Mark E Smith.

London / Gallery

Friday night: Local history event at South London Gallery Fire Station. Spent the sunny evening time to read the zines collection from the Feminist Library. The library is a lovely mobile minivan. Best tme to enjoy and summer drinks in the new art space.