I'M A CONTENDER

I am *thrilled* to have been featured as a contender on the Hey, Hot Shot blog. In her post, Youngna Park writes:

"In many cases, however, it's what's on and in the window—flower boxes, statuettes, lacy curtains, crosses, signs, stickers or flags, that are telling of who the people who live inside. Relics are collected, then placed—sometimes delicately and other times haphazardly—on sills, offering tiny hints of personal proclivities and other subconscious habits. These are the geometric frames that contender Ben Golik documents for his project Other People's Windows as he walks around a succinct grid of streets in the London suburbs, offering interpretive interjections and loose analysis of the residents he imagines live behind these windows with the titles he attaches to each image."

I've followed Jen Bekman's wonderful projects for years and indeed have several 20X200 editions hanging on my own walls. Delighted to be mentioned in such inspiring company!

WINDOW OF FADED SPLENDOUR

I often see windows blocked out with sheets of newspaper. Usually it's a sign there's some work going on inside - and a new window will soon emerge from this chysalis of old news. The owners of this window have opted for more upscale art posters. Several are tipped on their side to fit the space. But judging by the faded inks, this display is far from temporary. I've passed this window several times, and the barriers of blind and Masters are always in place. Perhaps they are not yet ready to reveal their own masterpiece?

WINDOW OF ASCENSION

This window is near where I work. There is a sticker of a holy man or Yogi on the glass, but thanks to the hem of yellow curtaining behind him, he appears to be floating in a shaft of light.

GOOD NEIGHBOURS

I didn't have to go far for these windows. They are side-by-side, and just a block from my home. I like the contrast between the plastic plants in one, and nature left to its own devices in the other. For its permanently controlled appearance, the upper image is the Window of First Impressions. And for the barrier created, the lower is the Window of Natural Defences.

WINDOW OF THE INSCRUTABLE

Inspired by J. Hain Friswell's story in the previous post, here is a window that is determined to say nothing. And so lets us infer anything.

IT'S NOT JUST ME

Thanks to Google's digitisation of the Bodleian Library, I've just found this 1868 tome by the writer J. Hain Friswell. It's the first of two volumes of stories that are inspired by the windows of different types of people. I particularly like the opening paragraph of the The Window With The Blind Down, as it alludes to the conclusions we draw from the appearance of people's windows:

There is a window with "the blind down" over the way in our street, and for some time the maid-servants have been divided in their opinion as to whether a rich old gentleman has just died, or a poor young gentleman has just been born.

Brilliant stuff.

WINDOW OF ASPIRATION

I love that this window has ideas above its station. The sticker is a picture of the stained glass rosette window in Notre Dame cathedral.

WINDOW OF UNKEPT PROMISES

A WWF sticker. An RSPB sticker. The pretty lace swans. The people behind this window clearly love animals. Plants... not so much. I almost called this the Window of the Lapsed Environmentalist. And yes, I've decided to name the windows from here on in. Not to pass judgement, but more to sum up my immediate impressions upon seeing a window. OK, so maybe that is judgmental. But it is interesting to consider what a window says about someone, and the conclusions passers-by might draw.

TWO OF MANY

There are several large council developments on the edge of Kilburn. Between them, there are hundreds of fascinating windows. All architecturally identical, but each a glimpse into a different life. Without a cherry-picker, I have no hope of documenting them all. Here are two of my favourites from the lower levels. I particularly like the addition of trellis and window boxes to the top one. A valiant attempt to recreate an English cottage garden on the side of an unforgiving concrete block.

IT ALL STARTS HERE

I first spotted this window from a number 36 bus through west London. I love the split between the Disney characters and religious icons. I wonder which they worship most? Or if all the objects are simply ornamental? Since I took this photo, I've been seeing interesting displays in windows all over London. Some carefully curated, others filled with quite random collections. I'll post some of my favourites to this blog. I'm hoping it will develop into quite an interesting view of London.

COMING SOON(ish)

This photo project is starting soon. Online. On twitter. On this blog. See you soon.

Meanwhile you'll find me here and over here.