Until July 2017, documenting the seasons of coastal Dorset. I'm a complete amateur so don't trust I'm always right. If ever you see I'm wrong - whether with identifications or in anything else - do say! Meanwhile . . . I've now moved to Halifax in West Yorkshire. Click on the link below to collect the new URL. Don't forget to follow there!

Sunday 30 September 2012

THE TIGER THAT ATE YOUR DAUGHTER



Rubbish sack left by nettles

 A tiger which has just eaten your daughter may not be welcome in your street but, objectively, it's as beautiful as ever it was before it escaped its cage; its stripes are as striking, its coat as shiny and thick. You may feel differently about it now it has turned your family into a ready meal - but that's another matter.

Plant growing on the top of a tall building


Bottle by wall
Once an eye is tuned to disregarding the practical, ethical or conventional trappings of street plants, able, for a few moments, not to take into account that they crack tarmac but admire their strength, notice that a tree growing on the top of a building makes an interesting silhouette even though its roots are cracking the chimney and nudging slates from the roof so passers by are in danger of having their heads split open; even if some plants have to be pulled up and some trees taken down; once it's possible to separate what something looks like from what it's doing and whether it should be doing it, all sorts of other things leap into sight as objects of delight and scenes to be appreciated before they are changed.

Ivy root between bricks
Ruined castles were once homes but many people like to see them, none the less. Giant cooling towers which pump steam into the air, waste power and dominate the landscape can look impressive when viewed from a train. If we are able to disengage our thoughts about things like these in order to see them, then why not others? Why not grow an internal switch which can be flicked on and off so we can ask ourselves 'what does this look like?' 'what is it doing?' before we ask whether it should it be doing it and whether anything need be done about it?

Coca-cola can in kerb
This picture first shown on my other blog - Message in a Milk Bottle
Coca-Cola Can and Green Plant in Kerb

Silhouette of plants on top of building
Much that litters the gutters, rattles and blows against plants already there, has been designed to entice shoppers. Some is the result of years and years of research. Someone has bothered to make it. Tins and bottles are bright and shiny and interestingly shaped. Paper and plastic bags blowing down the street can be like low flying kites until they are rained into sogginess and ready to be swept away. Dustbins and recycling trays can make an exciting percussion when they blow down the road. Even in the night, when they wake us, they can be like drums calling, taking us, in our imagination, into places of adventure and change. It may well be that they knock down the next elderly person that comes in their way. They may tip litter and old bones all over the place - but that doesn't mean they aren't making an interesting noise as they do it.

Does it?

Plant and dead leaves in kerb

10 comments:

Gerald (SK14) said...

from such a philosophy emerges dada and industrial archeaology

Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax! said...

Not struck on Dada - but all archaeology relies a lot on rubbish. Went to Vindolanda (Roman settlement in Northumberland)last summer where they'd dug up masses of old shoes - and put them in display cabinets.

RURAL said...

Lucy such diversity in your angles, you are really starting to look at things differently with your camera.

Love the ground level shots.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax! said...

Hi, Jen. I'm not sure how much my photographic style is changing (though it may be) but, perhaps, more, that it is only on occasions that I bring these, starker, photos onto the blog.

Diana Studer said...

starker? I suppose, certainly different and thoughtful.

Mark and Gaz said...

I enjoy your abstract thoughts that leads to your unique angles and photography Lucy!

Donna said...

Lucy very thought provoking...what will our legacy be when they dig up our dwellings...lots of plastic I fear.

Janet said...

I like the coke can image. The red of the can and the car make it - two red aluminium cans.

Once you've switched your mind to looking at the world from a different angle it's difficult to switch it back to normal drudge mode. But I think that is a good thing. It makes for a more intelligent person overall.

I salute your eye!

jeremy said...

Birds are also one reason why these sprouts just everywhere.

alarm monitoring

Kranky Granny said...

Very interesting narrative. I will never look at litter the same way.