Thankfully there isn't the same human tragedy as in a fire, or an accident on the highway, so I can admit to sharing an almost similar fascination with watching the destruction of a building. As primal an attraction as flame, you almost can't keep from looking as something so big is demolished.
Like hundreds of other Center City walkers in recent months, I've paused on the sidewalks around the future site of the Pennsylvania Convention Center's expansion. And like dozens of you, I even took some pictures.
This past summer I talked about Susan Sontag describing the photography of people as "something predatory." That may be why if you look on photo sharing websites like flickr or snapfish - except for self portraits and snapshots of family and friends - you see more pictures of buildings, landscape and scenery than people. I guess it satisfies an urge to look and photograph - without being "predatory." Or crossing into voyeurism.
The best part of newspaper photojournalism is picturing people. That interaction is what I enjoy most about my job (I have never been a big equipment or gear head). But I do find photographing urban scenery relaxing, and mostly shoot it just for myself. So it is always a bonus when I get to do it for work, like illustrating columns by Inquirer Architecture critic Inga Saffron. So it was this week - when again I was getting paid to have fun - as writer Maria Panaritis asked me: "Have you noticed the demolition going on at 13th & Race.....?"
"There is magic in the shadow of the wrecking ball," she writes in her story about watching the demolition in this Sunday's newspaper. Putting words to "a moment of wonder in the big city." She described the watchers as stumbling "onto this dusty downtown block like accidental pilgrims on a Center City stroll. They are sidewalk daydreamers. Philosophers. Artists. Ravaged souls."
Count me among them.
Some of my photos are there too. And please click here for a short audio slide show.
Next up, to go down to the wrecking ball - the old headquarters of the Philadelphia Fire Department at 1328 Race Street. But the six fire-fighting gargoyles flanking the three garage doors will be saved.
Comments (2)
Tom I have been blogging about the Race St. Firehouse aka Old Fire Headquarters for a while now. There are many people who think it is one historical building that should definitely be saved. The convention center could be built around it and turned into a National Fire Museum. This unique feature would absolutely put the Center on the map as a convention destination for many groups. Demolishing it would be a great loss to the nearly two hundred year history of the PFD and be another shortsighted, bone headed move by Philly. When we tear down all our history why will people come here?
Posted by CaptainAmerica | December 9, 2007 11:08 PM
Posted on December 9, 2007 23:08
Thre are problems along the road such as bad cops, weird laws , a winding road... etc. Those things can get you angry and the accident will happen. I think travel audio books may calm you down . Sometimes it makes your kids sleep easily so they won't annoy your driving.
If you 're interested in audiobooks,check out this store
http://astore.amazon.com/listentoaudiobook-20
Have a nice day
Posted by pat | January 1, 2008 3:08 AM
Posted on January 1, 2008 03:08