Wednesday, November 26, 2008

S Is For Sequence

A Can-Do Attitude Always Helps

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


We were on our way to the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, four months ago when I shot this sequence of images. The twin towers were so close to our hotel that we were able to walk down and as usual I was the laggard, several metres behind the rest of the family. It’s not that I dawdle; it’s not that I don’t like walking; it’s just that I am repeatedly compelled to stop and take photographs.

You know the feeling, don’t you? You’ve got the camera around your neck and you just have to capture every interesting scene that you spot.

We were literally in the shadow of the towers when I spotted this artwork near an underpass, so of course I had to drop anchor and take the shot. I took the first shot (above) from about 100 metres away, and at that distance it looked as if the artist/s had used paint to create this mural.


Just after I took the second shot, one of the Authorbloglets up ahead (I lag like a recalcitrant keyboard, remember?) called out to me. I was too far away for him to call out a specific message above the sound of the traffic, but I could see him pointing to the mural. By this time I thought it was made up of coloured tiles or patchwork colours.

It was only as I drew closer that I began to realise the whole mural seemed to have a metallic sheen to it. Metallic paint, perhaps? But I could not reconcile that theory. Metallic paint is fine on a vehicle, but why on earth would you use it for artwork, no matter how large the display.


When I finally caught up with the rest of the clan I realised what my son had been trying to draw my attention to. The striking display had been created using cans of locally-manufactured soft drink.

I guess there’s no end to what an artist can do. But Jeez, did he or she have to consume the contents of all those cans?


For the home of ABC Wednesday, go to Mrs Nesbitt's Place.

33 comments:

Texas Travelers said...

I just had to stop and comment on this unusual subject. thanks for sharing this.

Troy and Martha

Gerald (Ackworth born) said...

Well it seems a better idea than crushing them up and dumping them in the recycle bin.

I think I recall someone posting a photo on some blog that was of a roof in India that had been constructed (or rather the equivalent of being tiled by) using old drinks cans.

Louise said...

This is amazing. I can't imagine how giant the whole thing must be.

I'm hoping the cans were never full.

Richard Lawry said...

Cool Sequence. Very interesting "artwork". I know what you mean about lagging behind. My wife doesn't always understand why I must lag behind and take so many pictures. I tell her that since I am not a talented photographer, I must overcome that with quantity.

An Arkie's Musings

Ian Lidster said...

Thanks for dropping by mine, David. Enjoy yours and the art project you photographed I didn't see coming. Amazing.

Leslie: said...

That WAS a surprise! I thought it looked like needlework at first! :D

As usual, you're a day ahead of us here, but mine will be up later tonight. :D

Rhea said...

Wow, what an amazing art medium. Very cool though...and very creative!

GreenJello said...

What a great picture story!

Ivar Østtun said...

Funny and creative :-)

Anonymous said...

Outstanding to say the least.

I'm sure Andy Warhol, had he been alive, would have gone! :)

Maggie May said...

That is truly amazing!

eric1313 said...

I'm sure that even if they give you a hard time about lagging, the family usually also asks you if you managed to get a shot of this or that, and are happy when you did.

Keep the shutter clicking!

Glad to see you are still here.

Hilary said...

What a cool mural. It sure didn't look metallic from a distance, more like stitchery.

cheshire wife said...

Very clever. At first I thought that it was a tapestry.

virtualjourney said...

Wow, that's some mural! The cost would be prohibitive in the UK.

Hadriana's Treasures said...

I don't know why but this reminds me a lot of Roman mosaics. Must be the textural "feel" to them...superb photos...

The Quintessential Magpie said...

What a wonderful story and great pictures with it.

Sheila

Anonymous said...

I got it, yayeee! Great idea, imagine it...no more Graffiti, give the kids a few thousand empty cans and voila! Art.
Clever clogs has done it again.

tiarastantrums said...

AMAZING!!!!

Rambling Woods said...

Now you always present the different or take the mundane and make it different..

My ABC Wednesday Post

Jane Hards Photography said...

Those cans have a beautiful quality for photography. Art can be made from anything, we just have to think a little harder.

Strider said...

That was an amazing find. Very inspiring.

Happy WW!

Jennifer S said...

That is incredible. Wow.

larkswing said...

Those cans are great - a fun shot - which most of yours are!

antigoni said...

Excellent post! And the post of My World, too!

Merisi said...

Talk me out to the ball game, er,
billboard! ;-)

Rune Eide said...

You might call it "Graffiti with a vengeance - burp".

Miss_Yves said...

Stunning !

Rinkly Rimes said...

What an intriguing display! But not too appealing up close!

Bear Naked said...

That certainly is a different art medium.
Interesting.

Bear((( )))

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

David: How cool, a great art display.

Woman in a Window said...

THAT was amazing!

Suzanne said...

Really, wow! Not sure that I'd have the patience for this medium.