The Art of Engineering

Quick shot taken from the Bangor side of the famous Menai Suspension Bridge of 1826 by Thomas Telford. Photo taken on our sad way home from Anglesey back to Knutsford. Basically the holiday washing basket was full and we have no washing machine in the house in Beaumaris - that and Easter Sunday is at my mums in Silsden. Nightmare trying to avoid the traffic being in view, I guess it is an early morning shot ideally. Because of rushing it was a bit wonky so straightened it using the Snapseed App and then also converted to Black and White. It loses a lot resolution doing this unfortunatey - and even after all that, it is still not straight and slightly off centre!

It is still an absolutely stunning bridge, and the great man Telford is said to have described his engineering as "the art of directing the great sources of power in nature for the use and convenience of man", which I think sums it all up beautifully. For some reason I did my architecture degree dissertation on the Organic Engineering of Anglesey back in 1986, and that quote is about all I can remember from it.

Anyway, digressing yet further, it is sods law that I wait years for a decent public art project linked to the island of Anglesey, and then when one finally pops up, I am not around to enjoy it: By all accounts, on this coming Tuesday there is to be a public art sound intervention on the Telford bridge as part of Bangor Sound City . To quote their project website: "Australian sound artist, Jodi Rose, mics up Menai Suspension Bridge - turning an historical engineering triumph into new sound experiences including a live performance featuring four international sound artists. Wales' own Richard Higlett takes his roving sound-car into Bangor and Snowdonia, while the Dance Collective perform a newly commissioned work. Come along for one of Jodi's audio walks and hear the bridge like you've never heard it before!"

The Audio Walks are in collaboration with The Thomas Telford Centre Jodi Rose (Australia / Germany) and Bob Daimond (Wales) - and again to quote:"In a unique collaboration, Bob Daimond guides an historical Bridge Walk along the Menai Suspension bridge during which Jodi Rose reveals the innate sounds of the bridge". Audio Walks are £3 (free for under 16s accompanied by an adult) at 3 pm & 4 pm, Sunday 8 April at Menai Suspension Bridge.

Postscript: By the way, I must come clean as I can't take the credit for the photo shot idea, as I had seen some lovely photography of the same view from Menai Bridge's very own Glyn Davies and was curious to see this dark undercroft of the bridge for myself.