‘Twin Vaulting Ambition’
If one massive skyscraper is not enough, have another…Kuala Lampur’s Petronas Towers, shot a few years ago.
Tag: Building
Barn, Waimauku
‘Barn, Waimauku’
(#11 in series of shots of small town New Zealand)
‘Four Square’ Grocery Store, Russell
‘ ‘Four Square’ Grocery Store, Russell ‘
(#8 in a series of shots of small town New Zealand)
Kihikihi Town Hall, Kihikihi
‘Kihikihi Town Hall, Kihikihi’
(#7 in a series of shots of small town New Zealand)
‘The Roaring Stag’, National Park Village
‘ ‘The Roaring Stag’, National Park Village
(#6 in a series of shots of small town New Zealand)
Hotel Motueka, Motueka
‘Hotel Motueka’
(#5 in a series of shots of small town New Zealand)
Old Folks Hall, Nelson
‘Old Folks Hall, Nelson’
(#4 in a series of shots of small town New Zealand)
Kaiwaka War Memorial Hall, Kaiwaka
‘Kaiwaka War Memorial Hall, Kaiwaka’
(#3 in a series of shots of small town New Zealand)
Regent Theatre, Taumarunui
‘Regent Theatre, Taumarunui’
(#1 in a series of shots of small town New Zealand)
Eaves And Windows
‘Eaves And Windows’
Spanish Dream
‘Spanish Dream’
A flashback to my time in Barcelona late last year (loved the sheer style of this old building!), on account of hearing on the news of lockdown restrictions lifting in Spain.
The country has suffered more than most with Covid-19, but it brought some joy to see footage of children who had been prevented from going outside for weeks, finally playing in the spring sunshine.
When I was there, there was an entire week of Catalan protests, culminating in marches involving over 500,000 persons. I had never seen so many people in one place in my life, let alone such purposeful and agitated crowds!
Contrast that with the deserted Spanish cities under lockdown currently.The television shots of the main centres have been emphatically eerie and quiet.
But the laughter of children running around in parks is a small sign that maybe are heading in the direction of our dreams, rather than being haunted by with a nightmare.
There are no people in my picture, but I hope that those cooped up inside the fantastical building right now, and all around Spain, and elsewhere , get some sense of normality and freedom soon.
Stay safe until then!
Urbanities III
‘Urbanites III’
The final tranch in a mini-series of local cityscapes.
This older art deco specimen is a real favourite of mine and the shot shows its facade captured in the last rays of sun.
And as with the buildings shown previously, there is much glorious repetition to be had in the many windows and grids that form the facade.
Mention of repetition is as good a way as any to leave things, with my days on continual repeat in lockdown. I will aim for something different tomorrow, I promise…
Urbanities II
‘Urbanities II’
(carrying on from where my last post Urbanities I left off ; still unresolved in my mind and even more stark in black and white).
Urbanities I
‘Urbanities I’
Enough nature; I feel the need for some good old fashioned concrete and steel today.
I shot this picture of a downtown apartment block on the way to work a couple of months ago, back when I could still freely commute into the city.
Ah, nostalgia.
The man made extreme repetition of the building is mesmerising in its own way; cubes – all harsh lines and angles – stacked high against an opaque cobalt backdrop.
Somehow, for all its sterile design perfection, I am left with the nagging feeling of something not completely resolved…
An All Seeing Eye
Skylight, Edinburgh Waverley Station
The restored ceiling and glass work of the ticket hall at Edinburgh’s principal rail hub is a wonder, that escapes due attention as travellers scurry for their trains, or the exits.
If they do glance up, it is only as far as the electronic schedule boards announcing arrivals, departures and British Rail’s inevitable delays.
My own hurried phone photograph was an exposure fail, but it serves to emphasise the ceiling’s stunning design.
In silhouette, the dome appears as a great eye.
All seeing.
Omniscient.
I wonder how many sojourners have passed under the skylight’s gaze?
How much motion silently observed from above?
I didn’t have time to look up again, but am glad I did in that moment, before moving for the exit, eyes ahead.
‘Braemar’: Survivor
‘Braemar’
Apparently ‘Braemar’ is the sole late-Victorian period house in Auckland’s central city area still in use as a residence.
Despite its blackened exterior, this is one of my favourite local buildings, with its gothic exterior architrave; the name proud above the arch; wrought iron fence; lace curtains; and the glow of a welcoming light within.
Believe me, there’s been an awful lot of crappy, inconsequential stuff erected around this baby since it was built.
It is a tenacious, grimy survivor and that is something I always admire – in people, and in anything that outlasts the others of its ilk.
Complicated
Calton Hill, Edinburgh   October 2019
This hotchpotch building, with its quiltwork of bricks and windows caught my eye in Scotland late last year.
Quirkily fascinating.
And complicated…
It’s as if there was more than one hand in the plans, or perhaps the cash ran dry at some point and they started up again later, with whatever was around at the time.
Much is made of having a focused “design for life”.
In reality though, most of our somewhat random lives resemble this sort of thing, more so than any sleek, linear design!
A Postcard From Asia
Victoria Blushed
An optimistic view of London’s Victoria Station on arrival by train – looking up at the glassed roof stretching forever (or so it seems).
Well, an optimist always looks up – always.
And sees the view through rose-tinted glasses.
In a way this picture captures the hopefulness that travel brings to me – the pursuit of the new and the dream of the possible.
If You Should Leave
Old Barcelona building shrouded by leaves in the afternoon light.
Loved my time in the grand city, but it was time to leave…
ebb then flood 