God in the details
(Tiled roof of building: Tiger Hill, Suzhou)
It might not seem the most exciting photo, but I think it’s amazing. I took it purely because (apart from the end ones) all the tiles on the roof are the same – just some are upside down. It seems like a charming method of creating an elegant roof design using the same element for the entire project – just one curved tile, like a fish scale. The ends of each row have been finished with a special piece, to add a little magic. I don’t want to wax lyrical about Chinese architecture, even though most elements of it are super interesting! I have just never noticed this technique in China until now, so I thought you might like to see.
I really like the attention to detail that I have encountered in China. The downtown part of Suzhou (previously and incorrectly referred to here as ‘old town’) has retained its ancient flavour with the maintenance of the traditional architecture style; bus stops are the most prominent structures to be modified, though it extends to houses, hotels, shops and beyond. New buildings are erected in sympathy with the ancient moated town, I assume at the request of the council. Concerning smaller items, in little restaurants, cheap by western standards, many dishes are served with elaborately carved fruit or dusted with flowers. We visited a tea house a couple of days before leaving China and witnessed a tea ceremony for the first time. This is all about attention to detail and timing. I found it quite confusing at first, but I promise to take a photograph the next time and to explain it in a little detail. There’s a lot of pouring, tipping out, smelling, turning upside-down, tasting, and so on. It’s quite an experience!
*Just for information – in case you missed it – I am in Glasgow from now until at least mid September. I am mainly working on projects for *pipless jam, especially the 2010 calendar which has eveolved some Chinese influenced elements. More news soon on that…
Rosie,
this insights in your adventures are breathtaking, although I understood, that you where not only doing exciting discoveries every single minute.
Your pictures are very beautiful and I really enjoyed your written cultural exploration. I just realised that I spent about 2 hours sitting infront of the screen not moving going through all your posts at once. Maybe I was waiting to see a picture of you and the shaved husky named Ping or Pong.
I hope you are doing fine.