Coventry 1968

Tuesday, 11 January 2011

Just for a day, visit Coventry city centre in 1968. Taken from 'Colour in Shopping' by C.E. Fudge, a portfolio of pictures and criticism on urban design submitted for the British Paint Prize 1968, these pictures show life in British cities at the end of the sixties in all their mundanity and glory. Everything looks clean, all the older women look like the Monty Python team, and nobody notices or minds C.E. Fudge capturing their daily lives with his or her camera. Oh, and C.E. Fudge was very busy, going as far as Cumbernauld. More soon.











More at between channels.

11 comments:

1. 
   Bollops11 January 2011 at 16:59

   Completely brilliant!

   Reply
2. 
   Unmann-Wittering11 January 2011 at 17:53

   Excellent. I have a little bit of a Coventry thing, despite never having been there.

   Reply
3. 
   Phantom Circuit11 January 2011 at 17:56

   Look at those washed out colours! They are still accurate.

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4. 
   Between Channels11 January 2011 at 18:38

   I feel I have to go to Coventry now, to see if any of this stuff is still there.

   Reply
5. 
   Phantom Circuit11 January 2011 at 18:55

   "A third hypothesis is that the word Coventry is derived from the word 'coven' meaning a collection of witches.[dubious – discuss]".
   - Wikipedia.

   Reply
6. 
   Unmann-Wittering11 January 2011 at 19:54

   Found Objects Field Trip?

   Reply
7. 
   Matt11 January 2011 at 21:50

   I love that final picture, it's like a Clockwork Orange version of Picadilly's Burlington Arcade.

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8. 
   Phantom Circuit11 January 2011 at 22:36

   U-W: I was thinking along the same lines. But there are more desirable destinations, such as - somewhere else.

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9. 
   Unmann-Wittering12 January 2011 at 00:08

   I really want to see the Cathedral. I suggested we take a detour when me and Mrs. U-W went to Birmingham to eat at Glyn Purnell's restaurant but she was having none of it.

   Reply
10. 
    possible area12 January 2011 at 00:45

    It was still largely like this in 1991, with a lot original signage and fittings, when I photographed it after living there for a couple of years ... and not too dissimilar when I was last there in 2008 and photographed a war-time temporary shop I'd never previously noticed.
    
    I'm guessing the final picture is of City Arcade in better days -- I really like that description Matt.

    Reply
11. 
    keith Seatman12 January 2011 at 22:36

    Having lived in the City that had The Tricorn Coventry almost feels like home. Went there many years ago and...........it does stir up many different emotions.
    Have a look at the Tricorn. I think you all will like it.
    http://www.retrowow.co.uk/architecture/60s/tricorn/reflections.html