Metamatic Forums John Foxx John Foxx Fountain's Abbey

All being well, I'm off to see Fountain\'s Abbey on Monday.

I was wondering, when did John visit the place, and were any photographs taken of him there and used on anything? Has he ever referred to any specific locations there?

Hi Alex - Here's a link to an old Q&A Foxx did that talks about the places he visited incuding Founatins Abbey;

The pictures in the 'Church' book were taken in various parts of England (Summer 1981). I decided to walk through various parts of the countryside where I knew there were overgrown buildings and gardens and ruins.

During or after these walks either I or Peter the photographer would take the photographs that appeared in the book. I have promised not to reveal the place where the church itself is, because it has hardly been disturbed for over a hundred years and as a result has become so overgrown and beautiful. Some of the photographs too, are actually two transparencies superimposed or montaged. This creates an effect of complicating the architecture and foilage.

Some of the other places I visited and photographed on my walk that can be visited are Rievaux and Fountains Abbeys in North Yorkshire - two beautiful ruined medieval Abbeys, Fountains being my favorite. Rousham Hall in Oxfordshire - one of the earliest landscaped gardens in England, with many strange old statues and waterways. Scotney Castle, Kent, a ruined house overgrown by roses, surrounded by a moat of water lilies and black swans. At its best in the summer, a riot of flowers and foilage.

http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/2463/secret.html

Ah, cheers. I have the Church book, but must confess, I haven't read it thoroughly. I'll be sure to go through it over the weekend though

No need to wait until the weekend - Rob's put it here;

http://www.metamatic.com/zQuietmandocs/church01.html

Great to pour over during a lunch break or two

I visited Scotney Castle on the strength of John's mention of it in that interview and I wasn't disappointed. Quite apart from the aforementioned 'riot of colour' the whole place had a kind of magical ambience about it, perfectly in keeping with the 'feel' of The Garden.

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I would imagine that walking round this sort of place listening to Cathedral Oceans or The Garden is an enjoyable experience.

Fountains Abbey is indeed a beautiful place ( I proposed to my fiance there last year) and is owned by the National Trust. You could also visit Rievaux Abbey which is just outside of Helmsley and not too long a drive from Fountains. At Rievaux you can get stunning views from the Terraces which are again owned by National Trust. The Abbey itself is run by English Heritage. Enjoy your visit.

Well what can I say - a truly beautiful place. And we had the right weather for it.

There's a majestic atmosphere to the place and the abbey ruin is just enormous. I've got some excellent photos, which I'm pleased with. There's something very Cathedral Oceans-esque about the place.

Any chance you can put them up somewhere?

Here's a small selection for now - I'll send you some bigger ones by email.