So, spent a few days in Amsterdam last week and guess
what the very first thing I saw when stepping off the bus outside my hotel? No,
not that – there were plenty of unhuman looking creatures comprised of 40%
silicone elsewhere (in fairness the city’s more notorious elements are mainly
restricted to a couple of streets) – but the welcome sight of Twiggy photographed
by Terence Donovan in 1966 in front of a Union Jack advertising a local exhibition
“Swinging Sixites London – Photography in the Capital of Cool”.
Did seem slightly odd to travel from London for a break
and then within an hour be wandering around a gallery depicting my city but
obviously it had to be done. And very good it was too, loads to see. Most of
the exhibits were familiar but welcome nonetheless. The photographers, models
and groovy set all present, correct and looking fab: Terence Donovan, Brian
Duffy, Norman Parkinson, Philip Townsend, John Cowan, Eric Swayne, Twiggy, Jean
Shrimpton, Jane Birkin, Grace Coddington, Celia Hammond, Jean Kennington, Julie
Christie, Sarah Miles, Terence Stamp, Michael Caine, the Rolling Stones, you
know the ones.
In addition it was good to see John “Hoppy” Hopkins
representing a different side of the era with political protests, skirmishes on
the streets of Ruislip and scraggy haired poets waving accusatory fingers in
the Royal Albert Hall; and James Barnor offering a contrast by using black
models in conjunction with famous London sights.
Although fashion photography changed dramatically during
the period the accompanying exhibition booklet acknowledges the concept of “Swinging
London” was little more than a myth and “many Londoners still lived in poverty
and vast swaths of the city were still in ruin”. True but it was a city teeming
with possibilities and opportunities that weren’t previously available.
Swinging Sixties
London is at Foam Fotografiemuseum , Keizersgracht 609, Amsterdam. Open every
day until 2 September 2015. Admission 10 Euros.
Whilst on the subject of Amsterdam, it’s worth mentioning
how many good record shops there are if you’re visiting. The best I discovered
was the smart Waxwell Records. My jaw nearly hit the floor at the wall display
alone and the stock of rare quality LPs – especially soul and jazz – was
incredible and fairly priced. Their “Black Interest” section alone contained
albums featuring Malcom X, The Last Poets, Elijah Muhammad, Martin Luther King
and Richard Pryor. I only had time to scratch the surface but quickly swiped The Return of the Marvelettes on Tamla
(the ladies riding into town on horseback) and Free At Last, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr on Gordy. What I left
behind doesn’t bear thinking about.
Waxwell Records, Gasthuismolensteeg
8, Amsterdam. Open daily from 1200.
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