Facade Fascination
I am somewhere on the road – possibly helping a gaggle of bush kids navigate a theme park as you read this. And I will be endeavouring to find moments that offer the kind of ‘zen-ness’ described below… wish me luck!
…
While it may seem to most of you that I am obsessed with all things cattle and kid-related, there is another side to me I like to unleash every so often…
It’s my fascination
with
(you ready for it?)
buildings
Yep.
It’s hard to believe,
but I was actually a student of Architecture
for a very brief period in my adolescent life.
(No cracks about how many centuries ago THAT was please!)
While I quickly realised, even in my pimple-faced naivete,
that I was as suited to this career
as an ashtray is to a motorbike,
I have never lost my ability to
glean pleasure from a sweet structure.
It kind of takes me away from the manure and the flies
and the sweat to another place.
A place that mesmerises with engineered lines, sweet facades of man’s creations,
erected by those who understand how to carefully impose on and utilise Mother Nature.
I love that buildings can be seriously practical and sweepingly beautiful.
Order and art, if you like.
These shots were snapped when I was dashing through ‘Rock Vegas’
on an editing trip for a little project I was doing recently…
many of our coastal centres boast lovely ‘colonial feel’ structures like these…
I just adore sandstone.
It’s possibly my favourite building material.
I just want to touch it.
Especially when it is used with affection and respect and a little vision.
Like this…
And this dome… so lovely.
The design is an incredible contrast to the
And this dome… so lovely.
The design is an incredible contrast to the
painted weatherboard and corrugated iron
of most of the residential structures of the town,
but it still ‘fits’ this centre in the centre of Queensland.
…
And this series of buildings is lovely too…
creamy and cool and solid and strong.
Don’t you love the tropical feel of the palms planted into the footpath?
Then, as I drive slowly along the almost empty street,
taking in the arches and the pillars, the mouldings and the balustrades,
I am suddenly thrust back into my reality …
And with just one sign,
And with just one sign,
the spell is broken…
And I can smell the red dust of Granite Glen once more.
And I wonder:
What takes you away from your everyday?
9 Comments
Reddirt Woman
Flowers and horses…
I also wanted, at one point of my way younger days, wanted to be an architectural draftsperson. I loved drawing the crisp lines on a clean white sheet of paper with the drafting tools and sharpened pencils at hand. I could get lost for hours…
Thanks.
Helen
sassytrash
I have really enjoyed finding your blog, and loved your pics of the architecture! What fun to visit Granite Glen and share your equine and farm activities!!
Elizabeth from the Gold Coast
Well Bush Babe, as I've told you before I'm older than horse hair – now, back when that horse hair was young and 'whispy' I was a Draftswoman and developed a bit of a facade fascination….I really enjoyed seeing your Rock Vegas photos, such beautiful beautiful buildings. Although I live in Queensland I've never been to Rock Vegas but after seeing your photos I'd love to visit there……..You never know, maybe it could be Rock Vegas that could take me away from my every day….You never never know if you never never go!
Oh yeah, and I love love love sandstone too.
Jayne
I love architecture older than, and including, the Art Deco period 😉
Those buildings you've snapped are gorgeous 🙂
jeanie
You know me – words and books.
Love your piccies, but I am not visual or able to visually transmit what I love most…
Desert Rose
hello…I am Pony/Paint Girls Auntie popping in to say hi! have been down under before, maybe in your neighborhood!!!
Debby
Now you got me all curious, Jeanie…
Bush Babe
Debby – she means she would take photos but really cannot be bothered. (She uses big words to baffle me regularly too!)
Desert Rose – WELCOME! Any rellie of friend of Paint Girl and Pony Girl are ready-made favourites of mine!!! Tell me more.
Jeanie – what a load of codswallop. The darned cameras practically take the photo for you these days… am again tempted to share that readers' digest pic!!!
Jayne – you know I really don't have a favourite period (of architecture)… but sandstone must be sorely missed by builders as a material. Makes pretty much any style look amazing.
Elizabeth – how fascinating!!! When are you going to share all these stories with us via blog? *waits patiently*
SassyTrash – well HELLO there! Thanks for visiting and your link. I am very honoured!
Helen – I KNOW… you understand. Isn't it weird how much you find in common with other bloggers?? I adored the clean white sheet thing – and the angled drafting table thing. And the fabulous pens. And calligraphy. *sigh*. I was never much good at it, but I did love the anticipation!!!
Kelly
Love the architectural photos!!
Long ago, in another time and dimension, I earned a degree in Design & Housing. I, too, loved all the tools of the craft and still have my original drafting pencil. I work the puzzles in the paper with it each day.
"Lettering" was one of my favorite things to do. Maybe that's why I still love to write in longhand to this day!
Memories, memories.