Two people ascended one of Hull’s most prominent abandoned industrial landmarks to unveil a message about AI – and a local amateur photographer was walking by when it happened. Preston Harding was near the Reckitt’s chimney one afternoon with his camera to take photos of the area when he spotted something unusual atop the 141m tower.
Also known as the Bankside Chimney, it is the tallest structure in Hull and was originally used to discharge sulphur dioxide but has been derelict for around two decades. Preston describes the landmark as a “staple of the city”.
While in the area, he noticed the site had been accessed by two people who the teen captured with his camera. Preston, 19, said: “I was walking along around Bankside trying to take some photos of the abandoned buildings.
“They are sometimes really nice, with artefacts floating down the river, and street art. I’ve always been quite interested in the Reckitt Tower: it’s a staple of the city, isn’t it?
“I thought my eyes were playing with me and I thought I saw two people. I zoomed with my camera and based on the photos there were two people up there. I thought it was the lights on top of tall building but then it started moving. I would never have noticed them if I didn’t look up. I saw a big white piece of cloth being draped over the side so I zoomed in.”
The resulting shots show a perfectly clear blue sky as a backdrop to the tower. Two figures can be seen smiling down from the top of the tower, something that Preston says he would never have been able to see clearly without his camera. The pair then unfurl a banner that says “Kill AI before it kills u”.
“I’ve done it for a couple of years now. Wildlife, landscape, it’s a fun hobby, I don’t do it professionally. Ever since I’ve been younger I found an interest in capturing moments in town. You can create things you can’t see with your eyes.”
“Urban exploring” is a trend that has grown with the rise of social media but does not come without risk. Visiting disused urban structures comes with safety risks and also the prospect of a trespassing conviction. Earlier this year, owners of a disused asbestos factory in Rochdale warned of the risks of dislodging asbestos fibres, after exploring the facility became trendy on TikTok, the BBC reported.
Follow Preston’s photography on Instagram @preston_harding01
Photos by Preston Harding
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