Terracotta army swims




Picture copyright to Attilio Fiumarella, reproduced from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-28392292

This evening sees the unveiling of photographer Attilio Fiumarella's 'Terracotta Army', http://birminghamcentral.blogspot.com/2014/07/swimming-army.html, picture from his photo shoot at Moseley Road Baths; a terracotta army acting as a form of dissent against the pool's planned closure in 2015.

The photo marks the end of Attilio's Bursary project from the Some Cities project, http://birminghamcentral.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-story-told-in-pictures.html, in which he sought to capture the baths and the atmosphere inspired by the butterfly and its cocoon, the users gripping the swimming pool's essence, keeping the heritage alive, http://www.attiliofiumarella.com/186177/2881005/projects/the-swimmers


He said it marked the end of a five-month project that had revealed some "amazing stories" and people's "emotional connection with the building".http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-28392292


The picture will be unveiled at 6.30pm at the Old Print Workshttp://birminghamcentral.blogspot.com/2013/04/printing-impression-old-print-works.html, across the road from the baths.

The work captures the 110 swimmers who stood together in the empty Gala Pool on Sunday 20 July who reflect the varied community of pool users from pensioners, babies and toddlers, lane swimmers, members of Friends of Moseley Road Baths and pool staff.

The image captured the media's attention and was featured on the BBC News site together with coverage in the Daily Mail and with twitter garnering the comments including from Jeremy Vine.




The Friends of Moseley Road Baths, http://www.friendsofmrb.co.uk/, continue to lobby for the future of the building and swimming within it.  There is little over a year until the planned closure takes place with work due to start imminently on Sparkhill baths which will replace Moseley Road.

Following the local elections Cllr Penny Holbrook holds the Cabinet position responsible for leisure and sporting facilities.  If you wish to email her regarding the Council's plans for the pool click on the the following link to contact her directly: Cllr Penny Holbrook

The Some Cities project has given a window on the pool to many who had not heard or seen the baths and has also showcased Birmingham and the people that make the city revealing how people see, live and use their city.  The bursary award to Attilio has both showcased a talented artist but enabled him to use his talent and vision to celebrate a much loved pool that is both a valuable asset but an architectural gem.


Some Cities is a UK social photography project which encourages residents and visitors to Birmingham to share images of people, places and events in the city via social media and the dedicated website www.some-cities.org.uk.
Since launching in November 2013, the project has amassed over 100,000 images on a wealth of subject matter around Birmingham.
New images can be emailed to Birmingham@some-cities.com or via Twitter, tagged with #Birmingham, #somecities and #brumfotos, and will form part of an ongoing extensive and authentic digital archive of life in the city.
http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/business/creative/100-swimmers-across-uk-descend-7461732


The image will be unveiled this evening, Thursday July 31st, from 6.30pm, at The Old Print Works, with Attilio there to answer questions about the project and an opportunity also to see the Some Cities bursary exhibition featuring the works of Stephen Burke on Balsall Heath alongside Attilio's project The Swimmers.

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