Rough Guide research

       After having a couple of introductions, we were given our first project of the whole course. The task was called Rough Guide, which required us to explore London from a view as a BA textile student. For students who were born in London or quite familiar with London this project may sounded less meaningful to them than to other international students like me. I regarded it as a good chance to explore places I had never visited. Although I haven't been in London for a long time, I have noticed that this is a city that full of  creativities and surprises. These have kept attracting me to hang out and look around, sometimes even without a destination. So, this project was just what I wanted.
We were divided into 5 groups and each group got their own places to visit.  My group chose an area called brick lane.  Before this project, I had not been there and had no idea about it at all. But it's got an interesting name indeed.
       To my surprise, brick lane is a place that consists of vintage shops and street arts. Walking down the street which was lined on either side by small shops, I got a feeling that I wasn't in London but somewhere else, because all the scenes around me were quite different form any illusions I had about London.
      It looked very greyish, as all the houses were built of dark colour bricks. Different from other busy streets, there were no glorious window displays but faded posters instead, which made the street look more monotonous. Of course, there were street arts and they were painted with bright colours. But somehow, it's like a contrast to me. The more colourful and complicated the painting was the more desolate the aura was. This feeling is perhaps caused by the thought that I always have relating to street arts. I consider them as a way that used by artists or young people to express their deep feelings against the world, basically negative feelings like anger, loneliness, unsatisfactory etc.  And artists paint them on walls definitely not only for decoration but want to speak out against the public.
       On the other  side, there are some benefits as well. Brick Lane is a place that is filled with freedom and creativity. One does not need to be wealthy or famous in order to host an exhibition in gallery, but simply draw in an open space. Thanks to the attitude towards art in London, all their works are considered as a special way of art and culture, and they are appreciated by citizens and countless tourists. Brick Lane provided a stage for pent up creativity.