12 26 September 2007
Curzon Street Station, Birmingham
An international exhibition of documentary photography with a broad railway theme, combines vintage, iconic and contemporary images with a rare opportunity to explore Birminghams historic Curzon Street Station, the oldest surviving railway terminus in the world.
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A landmark of British railway architecture, Curzon Street Station was designed in 1838 by Philip Hardwick to serve both the Grand Junction and London and Birmingham Railways. Built in the classical Ionic style, with a magnificent pillared frontage, it was the identical twin of the original station hall at Euston (demolished in 1962). In use as a passenger terminus for less than 20 years, it was relegated to a goods depot and finally closed in 1968. Employed as offices for a number of years, and narrowly escaping several proposals for demolition and redevelopment, the Grade I listed building has been empty since 2001.
Curzon Street Station still faces an uncertain future but for two weeks in September, the building will be transformed into a public gallery, presenting STATION a collection of three illuminating and evocative photographic records:
RFK Funeral Train: Paul Fusco (a Magnum Photos touring exhibition)
In 1968, following the tragic assassination of Robert F Kennedy, American photographer Paul Fusco boarded the funeral train which carried the Senators coffin from New York to his final resting place in Washington DC. In what has since been described as among the greatest and most singular projects of 20th century photo-journalism, he recorded the faces, the mood, of the thousands of mourners who waited by the tracks to pay their last respects.
Points and Signals: Photographs from Birmingham Archive
Drawn from Birmingham Central Librarys vast Archive (awarded Designated Status in recognition of national and international importance), the collection includes atmospheric images dating from the early days of photography to the recent past, covering all aspects of railway life from steam engines to the interiors of luxury carriages made by Birmingham firm, Metropolitan Cammell.
Severn Valley Railway: Stephen Morgan
Commissioned for the exhibition, Birmingham-born photographer and former UCE student, Stephen Morgan documents the Severn Valley Railway. This new body of work captures the volunteers who help run and preserve this steam-hauled passenger railway line, as well as the visitors and enthusiasts who ride the vintage trains between Kidderminster in Worcestershire and Bridgnorth in Shropshire.
Curzon Street Station is easily one of Birmingham's most precious
architectural treasures, says Neville Topping of Elias Topping, the exhibitions organiser and sponsor. Its location at the gateway to the emerging Learning & Technology Quarter presents the city with an ideal venue in which to display another of Birmingham's unique yet hidden cultural legacies - the photographic archives. For two weeks in September we want to encourage thousands of visitors to enjoy outstanding photography and architecture - and thereby reclaim their inheritance.
The STATION project is the result of a unique partnership between Birmingham Central Library, the University of Central England and Birmingham-based developers Elias Topping and Viti. The exhibition is sponsored by Drivers Jonas among other Birmingham firms. Entry is free.
For further information, interviews or press pictures, contact Lesley Gillilan:
0117 953 2551 or 07970 771157. Email:
lesley.g@netgates.co.uk
