Photo Story

London: Ever Present Past

ID # 2616

While spending time studying abroad at King’s College London from January to June 2012, I had the opportunity to live the life of a student, participating in everything my new environment had to offer. Although I fully experienced the “young” aspects of London including the festivals, concerts, and exhibits, I couldn’t help but also experience the city’s past during my everyday adventures.

London’s history of former events, people, and customs acts as a structural backbone for the city, thus influencing contemporary everyday life. To be honest, history has never been my favorite subject; however, through my opportunity to live in this city, the past became relevant to my life.

England’s history is rich and vibrant, and is characterized by exciting events and intriguing people that have left their imprint on the energy of the current, fast-paced city. For me, the history of London became personal and directly shaped my interpretation of “jolly old Londontown.”

At the end of this Photo Story, students will be able to identify and describe ways in which London’s history influences the present life of those who inhabit the city today. In addition, students will be able to compare the relatively young history of the USA to that of London in order to investigate how their own community’s past shapes their everyday experiences.

This photo story is intended for upper high school students, specifically Grades 11 and 12.

Photo 1: 300 Museums and Counting…

Museums of London

Photo 1: London is known for being home to some of the largest and most renowned museums in the world. In fact, there are over 300 museums in the city, exhibiting art, artifacts, architectural pieces, books, personal belongings, tools, and many more items for every visitor’s interest.

While in London, I took full advantage of the offerings and explored as many collections as I could because, unlike many cities, the majority of the museums include FREE admission. As a poor college student living in one of the most expensive cities in the world, this free-of-cost activity became one of my favorite things to do.

Some of the most memorable museums include the National Gallery, the Tate Britain, the Tate Modern, the Victoria and Albert, the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the Hunterian Museum, and the Soane Museum.

Even though each museum was unique in its collection, some of the displays, if not all, were reminders of Britain’s past. Perhaps this is seen most clearly in The British Museum. The British Museum presents an array of antiquities gathered from not only British cultures, but other cultures around the world as well.

Although the British Museum plays such a large role in the present tourism of the city, it is a stark reminder of its colonialist past. Many of the items were taken (usually without permission) in the 17th and 18th centuries by wealthy British men who conducted a Grand Tour throughout Europe. The city’s past practices of gathering objects by force for their own collections is illuminated in the present day collection.

What is your favorite museum you have visited? How is the past conveyed either indirectly or directly in the collection and exhibitions?

Photo 2: A Space for Fun, Celebration, and Protest

Public Spaces of London

Photo 2: This photo is of Trafalgar Square, which lies within the central Westminster area of London on the Strand. Trafalgar Square is jam-packed with both tourists and Londoners everyday who socialize and soak in the bustle of their surroundings.

Luckily, this square was just a five minute walk down the road from my school, so sitting with friends, chatting, and people watching in this public space was a part of my everyday life. I saw protests for various causes, people dressed in elaborate costumes, musicians performing, and families picnicking while soaking up some (rare) London sun.

The vast square lies in front of the National Gallery and to the east of St Martin-in-the-Fields church, with Horatio Nelson’s column placed in the center, which is flanked by fountains. There are four bronze lion sculptures in each corner that become the subject of many visitors’ photos.

The square commemorates Britain’s Battle of Trafalgar naval victory against France during the Napoleonic Wars and the column was named for the admiral, Horatio Nelson. The structure and layout of the space was directed by this great moment in history of British pride.

Even though the space is historical in its physical design, Trafalgar Square is a center of current celebration and protest in London. Many cultural festivals and public demonstrations are held here because of its central and well-known location within the city. The history of London’s naval success created the structure for a space that is undeniably a part of present day life in Great Britain.

What’s a public space in your area? How is it used by those in your community? Does it commemorate a person, event, or period in history?

Photo 3: Camden, Borough, and Portabello…Oh My!

Markets of London

Photo 3: For me, my Friday visit to my favorite Borough Market to eat a delicious meal (kangaroo burgers, gourmet cheeses, goat’s milk ice cream!) with friends was a highlight to my week. Since I’m a self-proclaimed “foodie,” Borough Market was my most-loved market, but London’s variety of outdoor street markets is truly remarkable.

Each market lies within a different borough of the city and portrays a different personality. The most well-known of the markets are Camden, Borough, Portabello Road, Spitalfield’s, Brick Lane and Greenwich, although there are quite a few smaller ones throughout the city.

Each market is unique, selling either specialty foods, antiques and vintage jewelry, designer clothes, artisan crafts, or musical goods. For many Londoners, visiting their favorite market is a part of their weekly routine. If you ever visit London, be sure to visit the markets and find one that fits your own personality!

The market pictured above is Camden Market. Camden Market is perhaps the most visited market in the city because of its associations with certain sub-cultures and “goth” feel. The six sections of the Camden Market expanse are overflowing with young people who embrace a certain alternative culture that opposes the mainstream.

The Camden counterculture is housed in a space that has a rich history of shipping and commerce. Throughout the sections, there are numerous statues of horses (as seen above in the picture of the Horse Tunnel Market) that acknowledge the horses that pulled the canal barges down the river. Camden Market is an exciting part of London’s current alternative life, but is housed in a setting that documents the city’s economic and trading history.

Have you ever been to an outdoor market? If so, where was it and what were some of the goods that were sold?

Photo 4: Don’t Miss the Dragons!

Monuments of London

Photo 4: I can still remember the pangs of excitement I felt when I took my first drive from Heathrow to my flat after my landing on January 2, 2012, and saw my first sightings of Big Ben, the Eye, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace.

Although these monuments define London, there are also smaller, much more modest and subtle monuments throughout the city that represent a part of the past. Thousands of people walk by these small dragon statues (pictured above) each day on their way to work, but may not realize that they are concrete markers of the boundaries of the city.

There are ten cast iron dragon statues throughout the city, which act as boundary markers for the City of London; the ancient Roman part of the area, and Westminster. The dragon holds the city’s red and white coat of arms. These dragons are a part of many Londoners’ daily visual experience during their commute to work, yet many do not realize they are symbolic of the formation of the city itself, called Londonium, during ancient times. The boundaries of the city are now active centers of business and commerce, but are marked by statues that represent the City of London’s beginnings.

Many people would not necessarily think of these small statues as monuments or symbolic of the city. When you think of monuments that represent the United States, what do you think of? Is there a monument that is symbolic of your home community?

Photo 5: I’ll Have Bangers and Mash with That

Food of London

Photo 5: As I mentioned, I am a foodie. I have very adventurous taste buds and love to try new, unique foods. Before I left for London, I was repeatedly told that British food is unappealing. Well, I was pleasantly surprised! This city provided me with some of the best meals of my life thus far.

London is a global city and therefore provides a myriad of ethnic food specialties that can please every palette. There are Indian, Thai, Chinese, Ethopian, Italian, French, Turkish, Mexican, Portuguese, and many other restaurants throughout the city that represent the many backgrounds of people living in the urban area.

Although there are menus that capture almost every world flavor, the quintessential British cuisine is the pub food. Yorkshire Pudding (pictured above), Fish and Chips, Cottage Pie, Pie and Mash, and Black Pudding are staples in the life of a Londoner, both today and in the past.

Going to the pubs after work to order a pint, eat some food, and relax with friends is a part of everyday life in London. The pub is truly an authentic British institution. Every tourist that comes to the city is determined to experience the pub food, which may or may not agree with their stomach. Pub food has been a major part of the British diet for over 250 years and still remains to be a top-ordered meal in London. The history and associations of the pub food makes it a key part of the London experience today.

What foods are “quintessentially American”? Do you eat these foods regularly? Do you know the history of these dishes?

Photo 6: To Be or Not to Be

Performances of London

Photo 6: Theater has always played a large part in the culture of London. Shakespeare, perhaps the most talented and acclaimed playwright of all time, was from Great Britain and left his imprint on the city through the current mass appreciation of theater.

London’s West End is home to many plays and musicals every night, presenting classics such as Les Misérables, Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, and the Lion King. Although these are appreciated by many people each day of the year, institutions such as Shakespear’s Globe Theatre (pictured above) are especially important to the culture of the city.

The Globe Theater presents interpretations of Shakespeare’s works, as well as offers classes and educational programs. It is a landmark and is visited often today, but was built in the late 16th century as a venue for Shakespeare’s acting troop. For this particular theater, its history is what makes it important in the present.

Both visitors to the city and Londoners delight in the opportunity to watch a play because this was Shakespeare’s authentic theater hundreds of years ago. The Globe presents traditional presentations of the playwright’s works, along with more contemporary interpretations that speak to the global and multicultural mindset of theater-goers today.     

Have you ever been to a play or performance? If so, where was it held and how did the performance space influence your experience as a viewer?

 Photo 7: Long Live the Queen!

Celebrations of London

Photo 7: I was extremely lucky to live in London this past spring 2012 because I had the opportunity to experience the Queen’s 60th Diamond Jubilee. This particular celebration created an atmosphere of excitement that permeated all aspects of London life. The food, the decorations, the stores, the museums, and the people embraced “British” pride and love of Queen Elizabeth.

This particular massive poster was placed next to Blackfriar’s Bridge, along Southbank in London. The photo depicts the Queen and the rest of the Royal Family during the celebration of her Silver Jubilee in 1977. This visual piece of history was used in the landscape of the city during the week-long celebrations in order to appeal to the people of London’s love for their Royal Family. The picture conjured sentimental feelings for those who were alive and could remember the Silver Jubilee, which celebrated the Queen’s 25th year of reign.

Through this presentation of past historical moments, a similar state of mind was induced for the present festivities. The people’s acknowledgement of the queen’s successful past made them appreciate and celebrate her in the present.

Can you think of any celebrations in the US that are similar to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee? What does it commemorate or celebrate?

Conclusion

As I mentioned, throughout my education, history has never been one of my favorite subjects. It wasn’t until I lived in London for 6 months that history truly came alive. The past sculpted my experience of the museums, public spaces, markets, monuments, food, performances, and celebrations. It quickly became apparent to me that the history of my home country, the USA, is significantly younger than the history of London, England. Roman London began about 50 AD, while the USA was born less than 250 years ago. This rich, dense history over the years directly impacts the current culture of the city. How does the “young” nature of the USA and North Carolina influence the way we conduct our daily lives?

 

***All these photos are mine.