tobias m. schiel
It has been for quite a while that I wanted to make these photos because the blue mosaic is quite unique for Wiesbaden and the bars add some extra art nouveau. All this was found in a passage leading into a commercial backyard in the downtown part of town.
Once there, capturing the blues, I thought, why don’t I also photograph the opposite side for Paula’s photo challenge? (Can you tell these are opposite walls? There is scientific evidence…)
Paleica’s Magic Letter for this week and the next is “J”, and the magic word is Jetzt (now). This is my take on “now.”
Another month has passed since the last post for this challenge. I thought it was time for a change in perspective. I added the third picture to prove we are still in the same place: On my way to work, behind the parliament of the federal state.
The Weekly Photo Challenge features Forces of Nature.
A contribution for Magic Letters: I. The challenge is to photograph Innen: the inside. Im Holz means ‘in the wood’ and this part shows a fruit tree fracture that only occurred during last summer’s storms. The wood is still relatively fresh.
Upon taking a walk, visitors and Wiesbadeners alike will not really get around Kurhaus, the grand building that houses concert halls, a restaurant, and a casino famous for players like Fyodor Dostoevsky – his novel The Gambler is said to be based on the author’s own experience in Wiesbaden. The building seems to be the city’s (romantic?) heart.
If so, the nearby market place may the be the lungs… Which is where we departed for today’s walk, visually sniffing like a happy dog at some of the things along the way. We have had a look at the former palace, walked along the steps of the ‘new’ city hall, and seen a bit of its ornaments (above).
Turning around, we cannot miss Marktirche (‘Market Church’), a spectacular orange brick building that has already been photographed a million times. I think it is considered Wiesbaden’s capital church, and as history has it, it is protestant. We rush along its walls towards the doors one of the city’s finest cinemas, Caligari (bottom) where a beautiful Art Deco interior is still intact. However, we will stay outside today – or we’ll never arrive at Kurhaus!
Turning left and then right again, one of the city’s nicer arcades takes us to Wilhelmstraße, dominated here by the Theatre of the State (Hessisches Staatstheater). We sneak past the back side, taking in the closed faded curtains, and finally find ourselves in front of the Kurhaus’ revolving doors which I reserve for next Monday’s post: It will not be a long walk, but I consider it worth while, so that will be part of Jo’s Monday Walks (hoping that’s fine by our hostess).
Traces from a past when these were, strictly speaking, already traces from the past: Classicism was quite the thing when these buildings were erected roughly 150 years ago. I am fascinated by the ways the builders found around traditional – probably expensive – masonry: Mostly brick and cast iron and occasionally some wood were the materials used instead.
This is my (late) contribution for Paula’s Thursday’s Special which is really worth a visit.
“It’s just a jump to the left”: A small step actually made all the difference between the two pictures here. I believe this proves that ‘taking a picture’ can indeed be a complex operation, starting with the question what you want it to show.
Look out. Look in. Or look at it.
From a project I intend to share in January, here’s a response to the Weekly Photo Challenge.
When we walk, it is often without a planned route, just seeing where our feet take us (I will elaborate on that later, when I show photos from my favourite walk, and when it will be more appropriate). Strolling in Hamburg, we visited Chilehaus (above, top left) and the Danske Hus just opposite (bottom left). We also lingered around St. Nikolai (above, top right, and mirrored in the modernist building beyond) and wondered just how many buildings were undergoing reconstruction.
When in Hamburg, one cannot help going maritime. Close to the harbour, someone will inevitably display a ship’s propeller. This one had a brass plaque mirroring the opposite building…
Once we reach the water, we find a variety of bollards with a variety of coins on them.
If you have enjoyed this walk, head over to Jo’s Monday Walk for more walking, strolling and looking around other corners of the world.
.
A cover art idea for Jun’ichirō Tanizaki’s In Praise of Shadows…
Spring, for me, is that special light – and this is my contribution to the Weekly Photo Challenge.
This nest box has been abandoned … for obvious reasons.
These apples spent all winter on the tree – abandoned, it seems.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Three
“I look and sometimes I see,” writes Siri Hustvedt. That could be a good start for a photographic process. When and if I see, I sometimes use my camera to report it. Occasionally the resulting photograph resembles what I saw (it is then a good photo in my eyes). And sometimes it succeeds in making those who look at it see something too: What do you see? I wonder.
empire of lights 