A Walk Among the Superstars: Unlikely Superstars of Chelsea

This walk took us around Chelsea where many of London's best and most famous actors, writers, and musicians once lived. This list includes but is not limited to Laurence Olivier, Oscar Wilde, A.A. Milne, and Mick Jagger. This area is also where the punk movement began in the 1970s and where the charitable group the "Sloane Rangers" started in the 1980s. The photo theme that I chose for this walk was the "Unlikely Superstars" of Chelsea--those that may get overlooked in this star-studded part of London. Let's hear it for the underdog.




"Unknown Fighting Paparazzi"
This is my good friend Hailee Anderson in front of a street that bears her surname. Little did we know before embarking on this walk that Hailee was in fact a Superstar! In fact, I would go so far as to say that she was an Unknown Superstar. Of course all three of us had to try to capture this newfound celebrity in our midst, and Hailee became overwhelmed. It was much like how those known superstars must feel sometimes.



"Unexpected International Superstar"
For better or for worse, every American recognizes that Obama through his campaign and election has become a superstar. Since I've been in London, I've become very aware that the rest of the world views him as somewhat of a superstar as well. We took this walk on the day after the election, and newspapers such as this one were being handed out and sold all around Chelsea. Obama was not a Superstar i necessarily expected to encounter on this walk.


"Flying Dolphin Boy"
Arthur Basset sites this statue, Dolphin and Boy by David Wynne, as one of his favorites. Once I got past the surprised snicker when I first looked at it, I was truly amazed by this statue. It has incredible movement and the fact that that much bronze is freely floating in the air is amazing. This statue sits unassuming in front of a Mercedes-Benz dealership, and I think it deserves a great deal of recognition.


"The Real Superstars"
I've never seen a sign that gives special attention to the elderly. I did not expect Chelsea to give them so much attention. Though the sign is a bit degrading because they are so hunched over and both bald, it is still important to watch for the superstars of life as they cross the road.


"Snail Mail"
English mailboxes are so fantastic. This one has been in operation since the 1800s and bares the insignia of Queen Victoria. Post has suffered a blow with technology providing quicker, more convenient means of education. However this mailbox serves as an example of the stalwart nature of an Unlikely Superstar that has stood on this corner for almost two hundred years.

"SuperSTARbucks"
What would any area of London do without their Starbucks? Not much has to be said about this Unlikely Superstar of Chelsea, the fact that its presence can be seen every couple hundred meters. It is subconsciously a Superstar in nearly every city-dweller's mind.

"In England? Really?"
We encountered this display at a video store in the Chelsea area. Of all of the stars I expected to encounter, R2D2, C3pO and Darth Vader were not among them. Especially all together. They do not even fight on the same side.

"Michelin Immortalized"
This was a special treat. Here we have what once was the main office of the Michelin Tyre Company in the UK. It now houses upscale restaurants and offices, but the Michelin man, Bibendum, will never be forgotten in all of his stained-glass-marshmallow-man-glory. Although it is true that the Michelin man is actually a superstar, I never expected him to be depicted and immortalized in such a fantastic way.