Perspectives

Again I managed a walk between showers - but today with more threatening clouds hovering. As it might start raining again at any time, I just set out on a random short stroll around the nearby cemetery as usual - but then it occurred to me to try and capture some of different perspectives I get of the tallest building in my neighbourhood (20 storeys high, and so far also the tallest building in the whole town), depending on where I see it from. (I call it the Tower.)

Looking at it from among the trees on the cemetery, situated up on a hill across the river from the the Tower) I only see the top floors sticking up - and sometimes not even those.

From another viewpoint in the cemetery, I see it together with a newer building closer to the city centre, which I think is "only" 18 storeys (but wider).

From down below, and having crossed the river.

 From the other side - now there is that other tall building in the background to the right.

Seen from a park down below by a dam and waterfall in the river.

Back up on the bridge, and turning around, this is the view that those with balconies facing south will be enjoying. (And that view of course must be stretching even further from the top floors.)

(The tall red building at the back in the middle of the photo is one of those newly renovated ones that I showed in yesterday's post. There are lower red brick buildings in front of them.)

The cemetery is situated uphill on the opposite side of the river to the Tower.

I could not recall when it was that "the Tower" was built, but searching my own blog for the word highrise gave me the answer - it was around ten years ago, 2013 - 2014. 

The years fly by... 

Illuminated Apartment Blocks

A few more photos from my walk back from the city centre on Friday afternoon. (Cf previous post.) These are all apartment blocks (fairly new condominiums) along the walkway by the river that I followed part of the way home. They look strangely different now at night because of all the added Christmas lights on the balconies and in the windows.

 

Linking to Shadow Shot Sunday

The Times They Are A'Changin'

 

On my way home from the city centre on Midsummer Eve, I snapped this photo of an old lady with a walker, moving very slowly into a part of town that is going through a major transformation compared to what it used to be. When I moved to this town to live in the mid 1980s, this was a rather deserted area of old industrial buildings. Now only a couple of those still preserved, while others are being replaced by one 'skyscraper' after the other of new apartment blocks.  

I know nothing about the old woman; but watching her, I could not help thinking that if she has perhaps lived all her life in this town, it must all seem even more strange to her. Even to me (not yet in need of a walker, but recently 'old age' pensioner), the world seems to be spinning ever faster these days, while I keep slowing down...

A couple of weeks ago I took some more photos of what is going on:

 

 

(this photo from back in April, hence no leaves on the tree)

 

I know the population is growing and that we need housing, but I have to say that this "densification" with more and more tower blocks close to the city centre does not appeal to me... In the flats at the top, or facing the river, I suppose some lucky people are or will be enjoying great views. But with so many tall buildings so close to one another now, a lot  of other people must just be staring straight at their neighbours in the next building...

I live in a flat myself, but on the 2nd floor of a 3-storey building, and with quite wide green lawns between the buildings. It's not a high status area (built in the 1940s and the flats rather small) but I keep praying/wishing they'll continue to keep it like this - with low buildings and spacious green areas in between. 

Here I should have some photos to insert for comparison, but although I must have taken plenty over the years, they prove difficult to find in my archives... Oh, found a couple of old ones at last that should prove the point: Distance between the buildings, and a larger park/playground area in the middle of the estate. And plenty of trees and flowers.

 

Linking to Weekend Street

By the Water – Looking Down, Looking Up

When I go for a walk into the city, I often choose to walk along the river where I can. The views have changed a lot over the past eight years though (i.e. since I moved in where I now live). Back then, the places where you could get close to the water were fewer; but also gave a little more (camera) illusion of being out in the wild. Now, the riverside is lined with posh apartment buildings – but they have also extended the possibilities to walk along the water, which is of course good.

While they were building these apartment blocks, I used to wonder whether their reflections would be able to fit into the river… The answer is, “it’s in the eye of the beholder”… I.e. it depends a bit on where you’re standing… But yes…

Sometimes, walking past below  and looking up at those huge furnished glass balconies (where no one ever seems to sit), I wonder how on earth they go about it to keep those windows clean.

One day back in August, I found out:

 

Now there’s a job I would not like to even try…
Good thing there are some people willing to take it on, though!

Linking to:
Friday My Town – By the Water
Weekend Reflections

Sculpture Biennale–Part 2

As I said in Part 1, some of the works in this year’s sculpture biennale are found in a residential district in town which is usually not much frequented by others than those who live and work there. It is one of the areas in town with a lot of immigrants. Although I’ve been in the neighbourhood sometimes, I have very rarely gone walking in among the high-rise apartment blocks before. Although within walking distance from the city center, this neighbourhood still feels like a suburb.

▲One of the new sculptures for the biennale is a white picket fence – something we normally associate with small one-family houses with their own garden here. (Untitled, by Sirous Namazi, born in Iran)

On the other hand: In among some other apartment blocks, I also found this picket fence surrounding an urban allotment site. (As far as I know, not considered a sculpture!)▼

In a park, I caught up with a guided biennale tour at this construction below – which is part of the sculpture biennale ▼

Flat Field Works (Middelheim Variant #1)

This artwork creates a space that resembles both private and public environments. The pavilion adds a new feature to the park that we can use for a moment’s rest or play, for reading a book, or as a stage. The artist often reflects on the social role of art and how artworks are experienced, both physically and psychologically. Andrea Zittel is best known for her living systems, a multifaceted exploration of what humans need for their survival.  (Text from a sign nearby)

I tagged along with the guided tour to a couple of more sculptures.

Another untitled piece by the same artist who made the white picket fence. The brochure says: “Shoes and trousers give no clues as to gender, age or ethnicity, so the missing figure remains anonymous. Thereby, we are all invited to identify with the work, and project our own story on it.” – Hmmm… (Suggestions?)

▲ More tall buildings, and in among those another sculpture, consisting of two opposite sets of stairs. ▼

These are said to resemble mosque pulpits, and by placing them opposite each other, the artist Mounira al Sohl (born in Libanon) wants to encourage dialogue rather than sermons. Every hour, there is also a song in Arabic played from the pulpits. So we all hung around for a while, awaiting that…

After that I parted from the guided group (because I was going home, and they were going back in the opposite direction). On my way, I passed by some older blocks of houses which I like for their variety of doorways:

And on the other side of the street from those, there is one my favourite murals from the street art festival two years ago:

The area of town we’ve been touring in this post is to the west of the railway. Crossing over the main bridge back to the east side, I took these views. Might as well show them “while we’re here”…

(looking north)

Having crossed the bridge and the railway station, if you turn left you will find your way to the city center. I, however, will be going in the opposite direction to get back home!

… 

Sharing with:
Friday My Town (Meeting Spot) and Skywatch Friday