This photo was taken down a back street in Potts Point on one brilliantly clear Summer day recently. I was just astonished at this modest and restrained bit of decoration of bricks. It makes for nice modern shadows but I also wondered what an architect and artist living in 17th Century Italy would have thought of these bricks and whether he would have thought they were adequate embellishments for a building. Even 100 or so years ago the Victorians may have had a hard time seeing these bricks as the decoration that they are. Will the pendulum swing the other way again I wonder? In another 100 years will we return to ornamentation and curly wigs for our buildings? Will we look back on the buildings from the last century and think "Wow they were so spartan and austere those 20th Century folk!"
All these things I thought as I took this photo.
Shadow Shot Sunday is a Tracy of Hey Harriet
initiative! Everyone can join in - here are your instructions should you choose to do so!
Hope everyone is having a terrific Sunday!
Great shadow shot and and interesting building! Hope your weekend is going well, Sam! Enjoy!
Sylvia
Posted by: Sylvia Kirkwood | May 02, 2010 at 07:28 AM
It seems odd - the architect couldn't figure how windows might offset the plain character so he substituted oddly placed bricks. Mot that I would advise an architect how to do his job...odd details, indeed!
Posted by: Ralph | May 02, 2010 at 08:14 AM
I'm not sure that the architect was responsible for the odd design. I think what may have happened was that somebody stuffed up and ordered too many bricks for the job so the builders thought they'd just stick some randomly on the side of the building. Just to use them up so they wouldn't have to cart them back in their trucks.
I actually really like the look of it. They look like little bugs crawling along the side of the building leaving shadowy trails behind them :)
PS - I have visited the art gallery in Sydney but don't remember much about it as the visit was kind of rushed. The Melbourne one I do remember as I was able to spend more time enjoying it. And yes, the Melbourne one was amazing! I think you'd really like GoMA in Brissy. You MUST visit Sam! Prior to GoMA being built a few years back, art culture in Brissy was a very sad state of affairs. We finally have a vibrant and recognised art scene. Just took a long time to get there...
Enjoy the rest of the long weekend xo
Posted by: Tracy | May 02, 2010 at 05:24 PM
G´nite, girl?
Sorry for not being prompt this past few weeks. U know, life is full of misery and all hush of life?
Anyhow, I never 4get U and other bloggie friends in heart.
It seems this moderst deco is a wall climbing thing? Very simple yet elegant. Imagine my wall is like this. Pretty...
Hugs on our great SS w/end.
/chie 4evah
Posted by: chie | May 02, 2010 at 09:02 PM
Gorgeous shot, darling!
xoxox,
CC
Posted by: Couture Carrie | May 02, 2010 at 11:28 PM
hmmmm...strange but i like it!! have a lovely sunday!!
Posted by: Kathleen | May 03, 2010 at 01:03 AM
I really like that decoration. It is very tasteful.
Posted by: Sarah | May 03, 2010 at 07:08 AM
What a quirky building! I love its almost Braille-design.
Posted by: Emma Wallace | May 03, 2010 at 02:12 PM
Really interest post! As for me, I've come to realise that I am definitely in the Victorian more is more camp regarding decorations :)
Posted by: ondressingup | May 03, 2010 at 06:12 PM
I'm sure the shadows look different from different times of the day...how interesting!!
xo*
Posted by: lenorenevermore | May 05, 2010 at 01:02 AM