supporting role
A BUTCHER'S #40
A BUTCHER’S hook/look (Cockney rhyming slang)
Elvis rules
Elvis is King, Augustus is Emperor and David is lurking round the back (amongst other various gargoyles & putti)- a photo from 1996 on Prince St
cast
SoHo Materials, part 3
What gives SoHo its character? Here’s another part from my look at the materials used in this area of New York. It’s crazy to think now that these incredible buildings were very nearly leveled by a proposed Lower Manhattan Expressway. Also that most people wandering around the area shopping are unaware that the buildings are made of cast iron - but that’s something else.
Nearly all dating from the mid to late 1800’s, each building is marked with its own foundry plaque. Cast iron was a cheaper and faster alternative to using brick or stone. Large component parts of the facade were made locally and could be ordered straight from catalogs. It was a lot stronger, providing Increased structural support using columns which in turn allowed for huge open floors, high ceilings with larger windows.
If you can’t tap one with a key to hear the metallic sound, here’s the proof - buildings don’t usually rust.
recycling
I just walked past this medieval facade where Roman columns have been used in the construction - the strange part is that they are not set at ground level. The word I recently came across for the use of left over fragments and materials in buildings as strengthener, decoration, filler - is spolia and Rome is chock full of it.
variety pack
A variety of different column styles being put to use in a small medieval church outside Rome. Even by the 5th century all quarrying (and former knowledge) had stopped - columns were especially useful in the building department.
under the influence
On my return to New York after living in Rome for a bit, back in the 80s, my painting clearly reflected an absorption of the Roman & medieval world - the immersion had left quite an impression.
It’s interesting for me to look back at the work I was doing then and to notice the elements that are still present in the work today.
under pressure
