Dr Andrew Demetrius
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demetrius-art.bsky.social
Dr Andrew Demetrius
@demetrius-art.bsky.social
160 followers 250 following 85 posts
Public art and New Towns. Scotland and elsewhere.
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demetrius-art.bsky.social
Dr Andrew Demetrius @demetrius-art.bsky.social · Apr 24
Livingston!

Please join me and @ssahistory.bsky.social for a walking tour of highlights from the Livingston public art collection. Non-members and concrete fans welcome.

Let’s take it to the streets, man!

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/livingston...
Livingston Public Art Walking Tour
Dr Andrew Demetrius (University of St Andrews) leads a walking tour of the public art in Livingston, West Lothian
www.eventbrite.co.uk
demetrius-art.bsky.social
How times change. 20 years ago I lived round the corner from AB school. With a rotten reputation they wanted it demolished. Now it will provide jobs for middle class professions and further embed N London gentrification. If it was in Motherwell they’d blow it up. c20society.org.uk/news/hall-fo...
‘Hall for All’ and Museum of Brutalist Architecture plan for Acland Burghley School – The Twentieth Century Society
c20society.org.uk
August 19, 2025 at 9:30 AM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
Dancing Oaks
Gallery 495, Cellardyke

12 July - 30 September 2025
Open 24/7

I am showing new work at the Gallery 495 phone box community exhibition space by Cellardyke harbour, about ecology, pedagogy, and public art made in response to the local landscape of the East Neuk.
Poster showing detail of Dancing Oaks exhibition installation
July 15, 2025 at 10:54 AM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
I once enjoyed the great privilege of a private audience with Irving Finkel discussing the BM cuneiform tablet library. Very little beats listening to a world expert. A memorable pleasure.
edwinheathcote.bsky.social Edwin Heathcote @edwinheathcote.bsky.social · Jul 3
This is great. And do watch the YouTube video about the world’s first world map.
brianklaas.bsky.social Brian Klaas @brianklaas.bsky.social · Jul 3
If you want something to distract you from all the horribleness happening [gestures everywhere wildly], might you consider briefly losing yourself in the wonderful world of Irving Finkel? www.forkingpaths.co/p/the-mirthf...
July 3, 2025 at 8:49 PM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
A reminder that the Tory propaganda (press) are vile misogynists, regardless of Labour’s despicable policy.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves displaying emotion.
July 3, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Reposted by Dr Andrew Demetrius
aluckmann.bsky.social
Léon Krier is dead. He should be remembered as a Speer apologist and (intentional or unintentional) aesthetic smokescreen for far-right thought, from neo-Nazism to techno-feudalism

www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/a...
León Krier, Architect Whose Classical Work Won a Royal Ally, Dies at 79
www.nytimes.com
June 26, 2025 at 3:08 PM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
Highlight of the Mike Nelson show @fruitmarket.bsky.social
Installation void space with detritus. Reproduction of Brueghel’s Hunters in the Snow.
June 27, 2025 at 9:31 AM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
Better public art than the Biennale.
financialtimes.com Financial Times @financialtimes.com · Jun 24
Jeff Bezos’s upcoming Venice wedding has become a lightning rod for protest, as locals disgruntled with overtourism join climate activists to rage against a spectacle that to them epitomises many global ills. www.ft.com/content/460c...
June 24, 2025 at 7:35 AM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
Interesting to note the similarities and differences between these southern new / expanded towns and those of the north and Scotland.
lccmunicipal.bsky.social LCC municipal @lccmunicipal.bsky.social · Jun 20
The New Towns were a major part of post-WW2 reconstruction and a showcase for town planning. Alongside was the LCC's (and then GLC's) own efforts to relocate people and industry. Here's a 🧵to give a flavour of the opportunities, starting with this LCC "Offices of the Move" leaflet from the late '50s
The cover of the leaflet says “Offices on the Move, issued by the London County Council” superimposed over an image of a crowded London Bridge and an aerial view of a suburban scene. Photo credit: Picture Post (top) Taken from: Offices on the Move Published by: London County Council Date: Undated but document reference suggests 1958? Extract of text as insufficient characters available in alt text WOULD YOU GAIN FROM A MOVE? Many business firms have voluntarily moved their offices from Central London to new sites in the suburbs or beyond. Some have moved all but a small headquarters, others have only moved certain departments but all have found advantages in their new locations. These firms have benefited from moving in many ways. Rents are lower for suburban premises. There are opportunities for erecting purpose built office accommodation and land can be reserved at reasonable cost for extensions in the future. Staft efficiency has increased as a result of better accommodation. There is less absenteeism and loss of time through sickness. Time keeping is better. Firms have been able to provide better facilities for staff training and to offer their staff more recreational facilities. Salaries can be offered which are lower than in Central London but are still attractive as they do not have to cover daily travelling costs. Office staff also benefit by working in the suburbs or beyond. They do not have to endure daily rush hour journeys to central London with their fatiguing effects. Any journeys they may have to make are much shorter and pleasanter. They have more time for relaxation and recrea-tion. Their " real" pay is increased. They may even be able to go home for lunch. Firms which have moved out of Central London have found the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of a divided office. Such disadvantages as remain have been minimised by modern communication systems that allow close contact with " head office". Duplication of records can be kept to a minimum by a judicious selection of the departments to be moved out. Senior executives need not be burdened with excessive journeys if the new location is carefully selected. Taken from: Offices on the Move Published by: London County Council Date: Undated, but document reference suggests 1958? A map of the various locations that firms were being encouraged to move to Extract as alt text limited to 2,000 characters Basildon Basildon, in Essex, is one of the London New Towns intended to relieve the overcrowding of London. designated population of the town is 80,000 persons. The The town is 27 miles from London on the Fenchurch Street-Southend-Shoeburyness railway which is in course of being electrified; this is scheduled to be completed in June, 1961. Although no office accommodation is immediately available to let, that at present under construction being already let, the Basildon Development Corporation intends to build more office accommodation as construction on the town Bracknell Bracknell, in Berkshire, is 30 miles from London. Bracknell, one of the New Towns, is a rapidly expanding town with a designated population of 25,000 persons. The Development Corporation have already constructed and leased offices in the town centre and are erecting further office accommodation as development of the centre proceeds, Office suites are available, close to car parks, at rentals of os. to 7s. per square foot for terms of at least seven years. Sites in the town centre are also available to let on long lease. The Corporation let houses and flats to employces of firms taking offices and have houses available in specially selected areas of the town for sale frechold or leaschold. Aylesbury Aylesbury, one of the expanding towns is 39 miles from London. At present, as far as the Borough Council are aware, no office accommodation is available for letting in the borough, but there are, from time to time, a number of larger houses, including attractive country houses within easy distance of the town, available for sale, which would undoubtedly offer excellent facilities for conversion into office accommodation. Taken from: Offices on the Move Published by: London County Council Date: Undated, but document reference suggests 1958?
June 22, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Reposted by Dr Andrew Demetrius
katrinanavickas.bsky.social
As a historian of protest, the number one question I get asked, by radio/podcast presenters, students, other people, is "why do political and social movements keep choosing to do peaceful protests like demonstrations if they usually fail?"
1/n
hexadecibelle.fyi Courtney Love Actually @hexadecibelle.fyi · Jun 22
this was the real nail in the coffin for peaceful protest in the UK.

it’s why i don’t have much faith in peaceful protest achieving much by itself. but what it is good for (and perfectly demonstrated by the recent trans protests) is showing you’re not alone, and getting a message out to the public.
hep5g.bsky.social Hepatitis 5G @hep5g.bsky.social · Jun 22
Kids won't believe you these days, but Blair was genuinely shaken at the scale of the Iraq protest. No such hope this time around, it's already been decided, UK public be damned.
June 22, 2025 at 12:41 PM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
Life, apparently.
A bowl of cherries
June 20, 2025 at 1:09 PM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
Now available for Edinburgh birthdays, weddings, barmitzvas, etc.
Hand written poster advertising a magician of questionable ability.
June 19, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Reposted by Dr Andrew Demetrius
docomomoscot.bsky.social
Join Andrew for a walking tour of Livingston new town and its splendid public art this Saturday (June 7th) - the sun is sure to shine! 😎
demetrius-art.bsky.social Dr Andrew Demetrius @demetrius-art.bsky.social · Apr 24
Livingston!

Please join me and @ssahistory.bsky.social for a walking tour of highlights from the Livingston public art collection. Non-members and concrete fans welcome.

Let’s take it to the streets, man!

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/livingston...
Livingston Public Art Walking Tour
Dr Andrew Demetrius (University of St Andrews) leads a walking tour of the public art in Livingston, West Lothian
www.eventbrite.co.uk
June 4, 2025 at 2:49 PM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
A reminder that this is happening next Saturday 7 June. Public art everywhere from civic showpieces, social housing and concrete poetry in infrastructure, to supermarket car parks and drains - “something for everyone!” ;-)
demetrius-art.bsky.social Dr Andrew Demetrius @demetrius-art.bsky.social · Apr 24
Livingston!

Please join me and @ssahistory.bsky.social for a walking tour of highlights from the Livingston public art collection. Non-members and concrete fans welcome.

Let’s take it to the streets, man!

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/livingston...
Livingston Public Art Walking Tour
Dr Andrew Demetrius (University of St Andrews) leads a walking tour of the public art in Livingston, West Lothian
www.eventbrite.co.uk
May 31, 2025 at 10:46 AM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
Public art overkill www.theguardian.com/music/2025/m...
‘It’ll be solemn, enshrining his ashes’: statue of Lemmy to be unveiled in his home town of Stoke-on-Trent
Cast in bronze by sculptor Andy Edwards and containing the legendary Motörhead frontman’s DNA, the effigy underscores the West Midlands’ rock heritage
www.theguardian.com
May 7, 2025 at 3:24 PM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
Livingston!

Please join me and @ssahistory.bsky.social for a walking tour of highlights from the Livingston public art collection. Non-members and concrete fans welcome.

Let’s take it to the streets, man!

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/livingston...
Livingston Public Art Walking Tour
Dr Andrew Demetrius (University of St Andrews) leads a walking tour of the public art in Livingston, West Lothian
www.eventbrite.co.uk
April 24, 2025 at 5:24 PM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
Spot the eider nesting.
Eider on nest.
April 22, 2025 at 5:26 PM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
Academics take note.
privateeyenews.bsky.social Private Eye Magazine @privateeyenews.bsky.social · Apr 3
“Er, my question is really in two parts…”

From the new Private Eye, out now.
April 4, 2025 at 7:45 AM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
“Locating our value in work or, when that fails, the state, is always precarious… People’s value cannot lie in the value they produce; if our value is vested in anything but our shared humanity, it is ultimately unstable.” 🤍
samwetherell.bsky.social Sam Wetherell @samwetherell.bsky.social · Mar 26
This incredible long review of my book by @emilybaughan.bsky.social in the @bostonreview.bsky.social expresses my argument more beautifully than I ever could and pushes it even further. www.bostonreview.net/articles/los...
March 29, 2025 at 10:52 AM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
Future city.
A rookery in a pollarded tree.
March 24, 2025 at 2:46 PM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
“The owls are not what they seem”.
alistairfair.bsky.social Alistair Fair @alistairfair.bsky.social · Mar 17
Sculpture on Causewayside, Edinburgh, by Charles Anderson (1966) above the entrance to the former Scottish Exam Board building. These owls appeared on my Standard Grade and Higher certificates.
Concrete sculpture above a doorway, showing two owls holding a shield
March 17, 2025 at 2:17 PM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
Inglis deserves more than ‘ordinary’ www.theguardian.com/global/2025/...
‘A cultural embarrassment’: anger as male sculptor commissioned for statue of suffragist
Planning application reignites row over statue on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile of Elsie Inglis, Scottish suffragist and maternal health pioneer
www.theguardian.com
March 16, 2025 at 11:48 AM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
Modern nature.
Fife College building (1960s), large aggregate concrete, Portakabin in foreground overgrown with ivy, failing light.
March 15, 2025 at 10:10 AM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
“Yeah, I’ll put the barcode sticker right there…”
February 26, 2025 at 8:01 PM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
After a necessary but rather disappointing Americano we moved on to Grass (Poetry Circles), 1977, by David Harding, Alan Bold and Hugh Grant. Sadly in poor condition with text only legible thanks to the moss.
February 22, 2025 at 7:45 PM
demetrius-art.bsky.social
Walking from Balfarg henge to David Harding’s Henge in Glenrothes, beginning with the new town Neolithic at Balbirnie stone circle #publicart
Balbirnie stone circle Balfarg henge
February 22, 2025 at 7:04 PM