GLASGOW: BASE OF OPERATIONS
AUGUST 6th, 2022
One of Scotland’s many Lochs (Lakes)
CUE THE BAGPIPES
About 2 weeks ago I touched down in the UK. The past week has been a blur and the surreal realization that this trip has officially began really started to set in. I parted ways with my parents in Iceland, took the 2 hour morning connecting flight from Reykjavik, and was in the UK by 1pm where I was picked up by Brian & Michael, the people I’ll be staying with.
SPEAKING OF REYKJAVIK, back in Iceland, a volcano erupted in the area that we toured. A few miles outside of Keflavik airport, Iceland’s main hub. The volcano, Fagradalsfjall, had initially erupted a year ago, spewing magma to the surface after 6,000 years of being dormant. This is the second time it’s burst, and locals and tourists are already clamoring to the spot to roast marshmallows. Based on what our guide in Iceland was telling us, this is pretty common. I was a week shy of witnessing the event up close and personal.
COUCH SURFING
Anyway, back to Scotland, I should probably explain how I came into the fortune of couch surfing with Michael and Brian. How did I land this? Well, my friend Michael owed me a favor. Long story long, I housed Michael for six months last year in Milwaukee. Michael was applying for citizenship in the UK and as a requirement, needed to be on US soil for 6 months. It was great timing. With COVID still being prominent, and not much happening anyway. I enjoyed the company. In lieu of rent, I wanted 6 months in the UK. I cashed that deal in sooner than expected.
Michael is a mate from my days at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD). He became my roommate in sophomore year and we’ve remained close. He is now my creative partner. He moved out to Glasgow to earn his masters in drawing at the Glasgow School of Art and now resides here with his husband, Brian – a full blooded Scotsman (yes he owns a kilt). What we’re working on will be revealed in due time.
Here is some of Michael’s art.
Give him a follow on Instagram:
GLASGOW SO FAR
My first 2 weeks here have been nice. I’ve been catching up on sleep, replying to unanswered emails and chipping away at freelance jobs that were on hold. I got a bus pass, and Michael introduced me to the happenings in the city. To be honest, I haven’t dug too much into the history of Glasgow, but managed to make it to a few historical landmarks and museums like the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Botanical Gardens. Brian lives near the Tennent Caledonian Brewery: Scotland’s premier brewery that has been in operation since 1556.
Glasgow City Chambers
Ashton Lane on the Westside
Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum
Exploring the botanical gardens
WE CAME, WE SAW, WE CONE-COURED
Something I noticed immediately in my first 24 hours was a.) the impeccable timing and frequency of the public transportation, and b.) the statues in downtown near City Centre. George Square is a large park outside of the Glasgow City Chambers and is constantly bustling with tourists, business men, and politicians taking lunch and relaxing in the grass. It sits adjacent to the city’s central train station and sees tons of traffic daily. Yet, one of its statues sports an orange traffic cone as a hat. A juxtaposition to the regal appearance of government buildings.
The traffic cone sits atop the statue of the 1st Duke of Wellington, a former Prime Minister of the UK back in the 19th century. The cone has caused controversy since the 80’s and has been the subject of rivalry between the government and its citizens - a game of cat and mouse. The cone antics started as a way to deface property, racking up a fine of 10,000 quid if caught, but soon became a symbol of protest, representing various social and political movements between the people and parliament.
One attempt by the city was to raise the podium up 6 ft, but it didn’t work. Glaswegians are stubborn and ladders come in all sizes.
It became a symbol of the city, and a few years ago became a permanent fixture and symbol of Glasgow. A petition was signed by the people to keep the cone and after years of back-and-forth, the city conceded. Just recently the cone donned the colors of yellow and blue to show support for Ukraine.
What started as a drunken night out and alleged vandalism back in the 80’s has turned into a permanent accessory of the Duke and other statues in the area. It showcases a sense of humor unique to the citizens of Glasgow. A harmless display of light-heartedness that encapsulates an attitude of disdain for authority. Simply put – Punk as Fuck.
You can read the full history here
The Equestrian statue of the 1st Duke of Wellington was the first to sport a hat.
Other statues joined the fashion trend