Habitats

Habitats
Ted Ellis Gallery Poems

These poems and photographs were inspired by the Ted Ellis natural history gallery in Norwich Castle Museum. Most of these dioramas were created by artists in the 1930s and they evoke the diversity of Norfolk's habitats. The poems are made by Colin, the photos by Carole (both Eureka members)...

Yare Valley Winter...
Tang of cold blown wood smoke
slow river's skin glinting
a shock of snow settled.
Distantly, 
trees melting with
the damp hazed horizon

North Norfolk Coast...
A low rumble
of rolling waves and
sea bird squawks
muffled by dunes
and parched sand
blowing in whispers
smoothing pebbles and shells.
Against a blue ocean of sky
spectral shaped seagulls fly
swooping and sailing elliptically
in soars and falls

Breckland...
Fringe of evergreen
trees with bark
like an elephant's leg.
Weary-eyed nightjars wait
for dusk
amidst the arid leaves,
randomly discarded skulls
and unfolding fern fronds

Norfolk Loke...
I crave to step over
the stile and stride beyond
along the leafy lane
Past Cuckoo Pint
and Robin Redbreast
and sherds of Song Thrush smashed
snail shells

© Carole Fletcher & Colin Howey

On Guard!

Here is a simply splendid photograph taken in Norwich Castle keep by Eureka member, Colin Smith. What a great blog debut Colin!

© Colin Smith 2014

Norwich Castle Museum - Mike's Photographs

Here are some of Mike's photographs taken during last Friday's Eureka visit to Norwich Castle Museum. Nice work Mike - love the mixture of the 'traditional' heritage shots with the shots of the coat-hangers!

© Michael Smith 2014

Norwich Castle Museum - Jill's Photographs

We've just had a new influx of new members, which is great. Last week we visited Norwich Castle Museum where one of our 'veteran' members, Jill, took these...

© Jill O'Shea 2014

A Eureka Wonder Wander in Norwich Castle Museum

In order to view this picture story, please click on image above

The Norfolk Museums & Archaeological Service (NMAS) welcomed Eureka Wellbeing Photography members to the Norwich Castle Museum last Friday. We had a fantastic time! In no time at all we were exploring, clambering, laying down, kneeling... whatever it took to get our own unique angle on this amazing visual feast. 

Gathering in the cafe afterwards, I asked the group the following question:
"Do you feel better now than you did when you walked in here this morning?" 

Members responded unanimously, with an emphatic "yes!". Why might this be the case? One reason is that we were putting all of the Five Ways to Wellbeing into action, by:

• Connecting with one another and the artifacts
• Being physically active as we moved about
• Taking notice of the beautiful artifacts and being present in that moment
• Learning together about the collections and through sharing perspectives and photographic knowledge with each other
• Giving - it gave us a feeling of genuine satisfaction to know that our photographs would be given to back to the museum and their staff as our way of saying thank you

I think, though, that there are a couple of other things besides these five key 'actions' that contributed to our feel good factor. Firstly, there is the creative act. In a society in which we are so often placed in passive relationships with institutions, events and our environment(s), it is very empowering be able to make something. In our own way, armed only with our cameras and imaginations, we are transformed from consumers to producers. 

The other element in the Eureka group I would identify is playfulness. Put simply, we have fun together. As Picasso once said,

"All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once (s)he grows up." 

Part of this playful attitude is to dare to be different; to be unhibited; to not fear making mistakes. In fact, as Sir Ken Robinson argues, in order to be creative and to learn it is really important to be prepared to 'fail'. I think it also involves an attitude of healthy humility. So want if we look silly lying down to get that one shot... what a giggle we had last summer, as three of us lay down on the lawn of the Octagon Chapel garden getting an insect-eye view of the world. 

The Picture Story (above) is a compilation of our experience of this visit. Above all, it is a tribute to the work of all of the NMAS staff and volunteers who work together to make this wonderful place 'sing'. 

Thanks!

Exploring Norwich Castle Museum

The Eureka group visited Norwich Castle Museum* on Friday 8th June. We didn't simply explore the museum; we really tried to explore how we see the space. In particular, we looked for 'hidden' things, like the graffiti in the Keep, as well as unusual viewpoints. Sometimes - as with the lovely hanging eggs - we just appreciated the straightforward beauty of the objects. 

Here are some photos taken by Eureka members during the visit. 

* Eureka members would like to thank NMAS for facilitating our visit and making us feel so welcome. Thanks!