tomwilson

09 Jun 2011 44 views
 
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photoblog image <br> Victoriana 5


Victoriana 5

 

A rather different bit of Victoriana - the bear pit in the Sheffield Botanical Gardens.  This image has really been messed about - treated in Elements, HDRtist and, finally, BW/Styler.  The Gardens Website tells the story:

 

"This is a Grade II listed building, built in 1836. The Bear Pit housed two bears until the 1870's when they were removed, following an incident when a child fell into the pit and was killed.

The Grade II listed Bear Pit was fully repaired during the restoration of the Gardens. The old railings (of a somewhat dour municipal character) have been replaced with more elegant ones, matching the railings which surround most of the Gardens. Grilles have been re-instated and can be pulled across the entrance to the Pit, and also across the two side dens (which once housed the two bears). The grilles can be locked, therefore keeping things either in or out.

In January 2005 a mild steel sculpture of a bear (2.4m tall) was installed, to remind people of the former use of this structure. The bear was originally a pale silver grey colour, but the sculptor wanted the metal to rust naturally. He therefore treated the statue with acetic acid, and now, with the added influence of a traditional English summer, the bear is an interesting and very realistic grizzly-brown colour. It is hoped to establish a collection of hardy ferns in the Bear Pit, while continuing to allow access to see and touch the sculpture."



Victoriana 5

 

A rather different bit of Victoriana - the bear pit in the Sheffield Botanical Gardens.  This image has really been messed about - treated in Elements, HDRtist and, finally, BW/Styler.  The Gardens Website tells the story:

 

"This is a Grade II listed building, built in 1836. The Bear Pit housed two bears until the 1870's when they were removed, following an incident when a child fell into the pit and was killed.

The Grade II listed Bear Pit was fully repaired during the restoration of the Gardens. The old railings (of a somewhat dour municipal character) have been replaced with more elegant ones, matching the railings which surround most of the Gardens. Grilles have been re-instated and can be pulled across the entrance to the Pit, and also across the two side dens (which once housed the two bears). The grilles can be locked, therefore keeping things either in or out.

In January 2005 a mild steel sculpture of a bear (2.4m tall) was installed, to remind people of the former use of this structure. The bear was originally a pale silver grey colour, but the sculptor wanted the metal to rust naturally. He therefore treated the statue with acetic acid, and now, with the added influence of a traditional English summer, the bear is an interesting and very realistic grizzly-brown colour. It is hoped to establish a collection of hardy ferns in the Bear Pit, while continuing to allow access to see and touch the sculpture."


comments (7)

  • Chris
  • England
  • 9 Jun 2011, 08:04
A real reminder of our grisly past regarding entertainment Tom: nice to see one preserved thus
Tom Wilson: Thanks, Chris. However, I think they just kept them as caged animals - no bear baiting, fortunately!
I love your angle on this one Tom
Tom Wilson: Thanks, Chantal
A very good piece of restoration work. Not nice what went on in them though, I like the angle you have taken it at smile
Tom Wilson: Thanks, Linda
  • Ray
  • Thailand
  • 9 Jun 2011, 11:26
Really like the new bear, Tom.
Tom Wilson: Thanks, Ray - looks as though he is getting ready for a boxing bout!
  • Scarlet
  • Netherlands
  • 9 Jun 2011, 12:51
He still looks pissed off for having had to endured such brutal treatment!
Tom Wilson: Not surprising, eh!?
Nicely presented image Tom.
Tom Wilson: Thanks, Brian.
  • Alan
  • Great Britain (UK)
  • 9 Jun 2011, 20:45
I'm with Linda on this; we used to do some odd things with animals in days long gone. A fine piece of editing, though.

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