Bono, Sugimoto and the Church of Light

There was something familiar about the sleeve of U2′s new album (Not a picture of any sea or ocean, but actually Lake Constance (Bodensee) as seen from Uttwil, in Switzerland, taken in 1993.) A few Google searches later, I realised that the photographer, Hiroshi Sugimoto, also took a photo of Tadao Ando’s Church of Light:

And it so happens that Bono visited that church, when he was in Osaka, Japan with Guggi and Gavin Friday back in 2006:

Bono and Gavin Friday, Church of Light. Photographer unknown.

And here’s a picture of Bono and Tadao Ando together when the architect came to visit Dublin.

So there you have it. A fun little insight into how U2′s choice for their new sleeve may have come about.

U2 photo auction for the African Well Fund

U2 fans get your wallets out. Win a real U2 photograph to decorate your wall and support the African Well Fund, all in one go.

{photos by Otto Kitsinger}

Nineteen U2 fans and photographers including our own Ruth Barohn have donated their best shots of the band (and one of their friend) to the 2nd photo auction in support of the African Well Fund‘s ‘Build a well for Bono’s birthday’ charity, organised by Phil Romans. Last year’s auction raised an amazing $11,000, so get bidding to top that number.

The photo auction starts April 14th, and will last for 7 days. The first auction starts at 12pm EST, and each auction will subsequently start at one minute increments.

Go check out the auctions on eBay.

Motorcycle Mania

Adam Clayton made a special appearance on RTE’s New Year’s Eve show to help retired broadcaster Gay Byrne donate the Harley Davidson motorcycle given to him by U2 in 1999 to charity.

The motorcycle will be auctioned on the internet at www.gaybyrneharleyauction.com to benefit the Crumlin Hospital for Sick Children. All bidders must pledge a nonrefundable EUR500 toward the fundraiser before being allowed to bid. The winning bidder will receive a letter from Byrne and a photograph of Byrne, Bono, and Larry Mullen Jr. with the Harley.

On the New Year’s Eve show, Byrne and Clayton chatted about Clayton’s recent trip to Nepal and what’s in store for U2 in 2003.

“We’re doing another record, and we’ll be doing another tour,” Clayton said.

Video of Clayton’s appearance on the show is located at the auction site.