The state of things Photo

Photographer’s Note

This is a memorial to the war victims fallen during the last world war, on the largest place in Brussels, Place Poelart, named after its architect who also built the imposing Law Court Palace on the same spot. Tram lines and cars take almost all the space. The new trams are grey, heavy and ugly. Nobody likes them. Well, at least they move you around.

I have never been to Portugal but want to one day, one of the reasons being the beautiful old trams (very cliché I know) and because I love Wim Wenders:-). "The state of things" is one of my favorite films with wondrous photography and fantastic plot. Lisbon story I liked too.

The belgian architect Joseph Poelaert (1817-1879) built a few more buildings in town: the Congress Column and the Churches Sainte-Cathérine and Notre-Dame. Nothing thrilling in my view. But I am difficult.

The inhabitants of the Marollen quarter, a working-class neighbourhood next to the Law Courts, used to call him the “Skieven Architect” which roughly means ‘the crooked architect’ because he often drove the inhabitants out of their houses with the help of the local police to make room for the construction of the Law Courts. Oh, and nowadays, most of the few remaining ones have been pushed away by fashionable antique shops and artsy galleries...

Have a wonderful weekend ! :)

For Nuno - michelloupis

burGu, bostankorkulugu, johnfreeman, casperduppy, Clairedelune has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

tomescuc (2837) 2009-04-24 20:59

Heavy mood piece, Michele. Outstanding PP work. The criss-crossing power lines give a nauseating feel of entrapment. The tower is a powerful symbol. And the reference to the WW movie - well, you got me big time. It is on my top 10 alltime favorite list.
Cristian

ps: check out Dans la ville blanche http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085400/

wautersw (3603) 2009-04-24 21:38

Hi Michele,

Great graphical shot of this well known monument. I like the way you've composed this. The Sepia treatment creates a great atmosphere. TFS

Wolf

Valerka (8159) 2009-04-24 23:23

Hello,Michele,
An interesting shot in B/W. I like the simple but nice presentation.
TFS
Valerka:)

burGu (4544) 2009-04-24 23:42

Hi Michele,
I didn't watch the movie but I will keep it in mind. I had watched one or two movies of him and like them...
About your photo; grains, sepia, darkness, all the wires and the monument.. What a depressive mood, what a heavy atmosphere and postprocess serves the idea very well.
Congrats,
Have a nice weekend,
Burcu

bostankorkulugu (33976) 2009-04-24 23:52

you have created a clever compo with these most hated cables all around... and the sepia toning makes it look timeless... a touching one michele... kisses...

scroller (2883) 2009-04-25 3:11

Hej Michèle,
I hope the spring fills your life with inspiration. The light coming in from the left gives a great mood in this compo of yours. The electrical lines gives a brilliant pattern to it...meaning ...I like it!
Hälsningar
/Stefan

sayeed_rahman (2301) 2009-04-26 0:38

Hello Michelle..

Like the web effect..seems to hold the history together..good symbolism and the pp is just so apt..

Good use of the one element..simple yet strong..have a great sunday

Cheers
Sayeed

michelloupis (0) 2009-04-26 6:42

Hello Michèle,

"Mi Casa, Su Casa". Anytime Michèle!

A simple picture with a fantastic light and delightful rough processing.

Thank you. Deeply honored.

Have a beautiful day.

n.

johnfreeman (2222) 2009-04-29 10:23

Hi Michèle,
I find this a very powerful image. The war memorial seems more like a watch tower and the cables aircraft trails or perhaps wires over a cage, holding us in and creating a menacing, almost claustrophobic atmosphere. The grainy, sepia sky completes the effect, giving a strong wartime feel. Good film too, though I actually preferred Until the End of the World and The End of Violence.
John

bantonbuju (48796) 2009-05-01 0:20

good title accompanying this "abstract" image... i think that the other-sepia-like tonality makes this photo look like a wall-hanger...

bw, j.

Clairedelune (4885) 2009-05-02 10:03

Ouah..............!
Simple, efficace, graphique à souhait!
Un traitement bien fait, quoi que peut-être un chouia fort sur le "sharpening", mais qui donne tout une ambiance.
J'adore ce réseau entremêlé de fils qui rendent un ciel sublime. Du moins, en photo! ;)
Claire

Polonaise (5638) 2009-05-14 11:33

But...But...
But, the wires are NOT allowed in urban photography !
??????????

And people...
The people are not allowed in the architectural shots ( the other day i just have read the note of the one of 'the outstanding' owners of the camera proud like hell that he managed to shot some buildings WITHOUT the people around !)

The best electrical installation I've seen in years !
g
...................

[2]

Pentti (440) 2009-05-19 11:59

Awesome shot.
Good wires.
Nice geometry.
Feeling like in a camp...