Monday 18 June 2012

Painted telephone boxes


The original London red telephone box is becoming obsolete. Mobile phones have taken their place and so many of the K7 (kiosk version 7 ) were about to be destroyed when some bright spark came up with the idea of painting and selling them with the proceeds going to the Childline charity. Today they were all displayed in Trafalgar Square before going on exhibition on the streets of London. Sounds a bit like the Faberge egg hunt in Feb and March (shown in previous blogs). Here are a couple of photos to show how creative artists can be with a phone box. 







But I wouldn't want you to forget the beautiful design of the original K2 phone box. There is only one on display in London and that is near the entrance to the Royal Academy in Piccadilly. Unlike modern boxes this one is made from wood not metal.
No matter how the artists decorate them -  for me this one still wins hands down.



29 comments:

  1. It wins for me also!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  2. I love these telephones boxes, the original red one is my favorite. And the one of Big Ben is great. But, I really enjoyed seeing all of them, wonderfully done. Have a great day!

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  3. My favorite is the classic red! It makes me think of the Superman Comic Books and how he would change into his cape inside the phone booth. :) Wonder what he would now as we still have phone booths but they are usually open.

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  4. My favorite is the classic, too, but they are all terrific and what a wonderful idea!! Thanks so much for sharing these!! Great look at your "new, modern" world! Enjoy your week!

    Sylvia

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  5. how cool is that? Never seen anything like it. Thanks for sharing it. :)

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  6. Excellent idea ! Wonderful where alike is possible.

    Please have a good Tuesday.


    daily athens photo

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  7. The red phone boxes are iconic. I love how the artists have repurposed them.

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  8. Yes - I'm with you; there's nothing that compares with the original bright, striking, cheerful red telephone booth. (I wonder why we remain so attached to this inanimate object - is it pure nostalgia?) Thanks for sharing this gem.

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  9. I couldn't agree more! The original is best ... hands down. Great post!!

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  10. Very interesting array of phone booths. A fun post!

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  11. What fun idea to decorate the old telephone boxes. Every time I see one of those I think of Dr. Who's Tardis.

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  12. What fabulous phone booths. Great photos - thanks for sharing.

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  13. Great looking telephone boxes. Lot of creativity there.

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  14. Sheer brilliance- I will look out for them when next down there. The Big Ben one is inspiring.

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  15. The K2 is such a classic!

    I think I'd miss them if I ever came back!

    Also looked at the "Manchester" post - and remembered the time when I lived in Somerset and thought that Manchester was a long way away - how things change!

    Stewart M

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  16. Much loved - my favourite is the classic too. But the Big Ben decorated one is great!

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  17. These are wonderful. It's great what people come up with. I think Ben is my fave, too.

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  18. Wow! I love them ALL, but especially the beautiful red classic. Thanks for the interesting post about telephone booths from days gone by. :-)

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  19. Original is always the best. Am just wondering if similar thing would happen for those red post boxes too?!

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  20. Those are great, the artists are indeed inventive and skillful.

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  21. Wow, what a great idea. I do love the classic red phone box too, but how clever are these artists.

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  22. Oh, how wonderful that these icons are not being destroyed! They are certainly personalized!

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  23. It is a funny idea to make a piece of art of the boxes.

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  24. A friend of ours has a red telephone box in his back garden! thanks for sharing - Jane

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  25. Good idea instead if getting scrapped...

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  26. Yesterday at London Bridge Borough Market I saw this crazy painted phone box and wondered what on earth was going on with it.... I am so glad I came here today as now I know. I shall post my picture of it later in the week.

    Mollyxxx

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  27. First the Eggs now the Phone Booths? LOVE IT!!! :o)

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