Radical Architecture - route drawings

Lambda prints with acrylic mounts
approx 50x40cm
2007

Photographic based drawings documenting significant climbing routes in the Peak District established throughout the 20th century.

Each image represents route from a particluar period of the 20th century. The earliest is Puttrell's Zig Zag (c 1900) on Kinder Scout, which for it's time was very impressive and even today looks like a modern route because of it's line and exposure.

The 40's and 50's are represented by 3 routes, Peter Harding's Valkyrie (1946, Roaches), Joe Brown's Right Unconquorable (1949, Stanage) and Don Whillans Sloth (1954, Roaches) all significant break-through or typical of there time. The 70's and 80's are represented by John Allens' Strapadictomy (1976, Froggatt) and Johnny Dawes' End of the Affair (1986, Curbarr).

Finally, Brad Pitt - a boulder problem represents the 90's/2000 because it has two parts to it with the intial problem solved by Jason Myres in 1995 and a sit start added by Thomas Willenberg in 2000.

The names and style reflect elements of the years in which the routes were made as well as the individual style and approach of the climber.

The drawing attempts to locate poetically the shape of the route - the space ingabited or created by the climber climbing it. Rather than just a line indication the direction of the route I wanted to emphasize the route as an embodyment of the rock and climber's interaction. As if the heat of the climber's moving body has evaporated a line of mist.

 

Zig Zag (Puttrell c 1900).

Valkyrie (Peter Harding 1946).


Right Unconquerable (Joe Brown 1949).

Sloth (Don Whillans 1954).

Strapadictomy (John Allen 1976).

End of the Affair (Johnny Dawes 1986).

Brad Pitt (Jason Myres 1995 / sit start added 2000 Thomas Willenberg).

 

 

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