Values

Where does value lie?
In homogenised commerce,
Or true expression?

back blipped:
It was Mark's birthday so we had a day out in London - primarily to go and See Top Hat (which was excellent), but also to just spend time a-wandering.

We went to a pub near Borough market, apparently frequented by both Shakespeare and Charles Dickens (not at the same time!), we wandered around looking for remains of the old Marshalsea prison (apparently there is a bit of wall left) but didn't find it. No matter, walking around London is always interesting, so many hidden treasures and histories.

A lovely meal at the Wahaca Mexican restaurant on the South bank - housed in a building made of old shipping containers ... brilliant.

Anyway - to get to the point....

While walking along the South bank we walked past the skate/bmx area known as the "undercroft" underneath the South bank complex....

"the Southbank undercroft is a treasured space, known as the birthplace of British Skateboarding and has been home to skateboarders, BMX riders and graffiti artists for the last 40 years."

Apparently the powers that be want to turn this into "retail units" ... like we need any more of those along there?

Basically it's a prime location and they want to maximise their profits ... seeing the "value" of this space in £'s rather than in the less easily quantifiable, cultural value it already has. They want to relocate the skaters to somewhere less "valuable".

Don't these people realise that there is value in creativity, diversity and expression, and that it is these things which make London the vibrant place it is. Removing these elements just turns it into another shopping mall.

One of the pieces of graffiti said "GET ANGRY"... and I am ... if you are too support them here

Lots more images from the day here

Desparately behind with blipland .... will endeavour to catch up with you all as soon as I can!