The Grace of the Curve - Part 1

In past blogs I've often focussed on what appeals to me in the urban environment. I realize what I've really been doing is exploring the age-old question of "beauty". It's a subject that has haunted philosophers... artists... designers. An online definition says it is "a combination of qualities, such as shape, colour or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight".

This definition intrigues me. In many of my blog posts I have featured images of colourful scenes that have appealed to me. However, lines, shape and form also are important features, and in this post (and the next one) I'm focussing on them.  

Our human-constructed cities tend to be made of straight lines - vertical posts in buildings, horizontal or pitched roofs, roads, and sidewalks. 

Nature, on the other hand, grows in curves - rivers snake through valleys, trees might form semi-elliptical canopies, branches are snarled curves.

The curves created by the shapes of the conifers soften the vertical and horizontal lines of the highrise in the background

While each branch of this birch is relatively straight, the tree's overall shape is of a soft "U"

An intriguing shaped multi-curved tree, probably caused by pruning decades ago

Another example of a tree with multiple stems and a graceful appeal which interacts visually with the pitched roof, and the horizontal and vertical lines of the house and the fence

In our built environments I appreciate how curves add aesthetic to the design. Some may disagree with me. I recall a recent zoom meeting I attended that included a presentation by an architect for a local proposed high rise project. In response to citizens' concerns that high rises might be ugly, she suggested that they should go to architecture school to learn to appreciate that form of design. Perhaps I need to go to architecture school!  But then, perhaps not.... Some highrises are indeed pleasant to look at - but not all!

I'll start with some of the old, large buildings in Victoria that I find aesthetic.

Arched windows at the Legislature soften the angles of windows and walls

Curves are created in many ways in this doorway of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church: the arched doorway, with the pattern repeated in black paint, the leaded windows above the door, the curved hinges, and the supporting columns

The arched entrance of St. Andrews Cathedral. Again, curved lines are repeated in the windows above the doors, and in columns

Fairfield Bicycle Shop. This building was originally built around 1913 and housed a pharmacy and a grocery store. (Source: Fairfield Gonzales Observer, Feb 2012)

Law Office, Burdett Avenue. I liked the "curves within curves" of the archway which is decorated with an embossed design.

St. John the Divine Anglican Church. The stained glass window was being lit up from light within the church, probably coming in another window on the opposite side.

Old town Victoria, near Bastion Square.

In editing this post, my partner Ken noted that in former times there were many architecturally designed buildings which remain beautiful to this day. He wonders -- is this beauty a quality which is no longer sought in present day construction?

While the bright colours of the central building draw the eye, the features I'm interested in are the varying curves of the arches above the windows. Do you see all three?

A mural designed almost exclusively with curves transforms this building.

I've noticed that window design can add interesting curves. Here are a few examples:

Maritime Museum window with curves which speak to the ocean.

Part of window detail, Visitor Information Centre, Victoria.

Window features for the Foundry, an addiction rehabilitation centre

Moving from larger buildings to houses: I have talked about the aesthetics of Victoria's old houses in many blog posts over the last few years. I will limit myself to just a few to demonstrate how adding a curved line or two adds to the appeal of the house.

This house has just a few simple curved lines in the balcony overhangs. Those curves are enough to give the building a more dynamic energy than if the lines were all straight.

I liked the curved lines of the brackets above the main floor windows, the rounded posts for the front porch, and the landscaping plants which all balance the vertical lines of the building.

This is one of several Vancouver Street houses built in the early 1890's and designed by architect John Teague. Curves are introduced through the  brackets with the "sunburst" design above the windows, the attic window, and the scalloped siding above the bay window.

Another house softened by an interesting front porch with sublte decorative details, and a half-moon window in the front door. I also like the way the picket fence introduceds a curve at the gate which gives the fence an energy flow.

One final example of curves obtained by porch detail - both the posts, and the railings. Even the drapes are tied back in curves.

I have more to observe about curves in urban design and will continue this theme in a subsequent blog post.

A Retroactive Thank You

This post is about trees, and about people who have made a difference for them.

There is a striking Copper Beech tree on the grounds of the Legislature. The picture below gives some idea of its size. The Copper Beech can apparently grow to 40 metres tall, and has a lifespan of 150 to 300 years.

Copper Beech, BC Legislature

I have learned a little of this particular tree's history, but there is a mystery associated with it. The tree was planted in 1921, to commemorate the provincial government librarian E.O.S. Scholefield. (https://www.leg.bc.ca/dyl/Pages/Copper-Beech-Tree.aspx)

Planting of the Copper Beech tree, April 1921. Source: Friends of BC Archives, Item G-06259, Tweet of April 8, 2018. The spade is being held by the Premier at the time, John Oliver.

To give an idea of the current size of the tree, Ken suggested I pose with it. 

The copper beech today, 100 years later.

And now, the mystery: This tree, for some reason, was almost bulldozed and uprooted in 1970, when it would have been about fifty years old. 

I have not yet been able to learn the reason this action was proposed. But what I have learned is that thanks to two journalists, James Nesbitt and Bruce McKelvie, the tree still stands. When they saw the bulldozer about to destroy the tree, one of them (Bruce McKelvie) stood guard to stop the machine, and the other, (James Nesbitt), hunted down the Minister of Public Works, brought him to the site, and had the work stopped. (Source: https://www.leg.bc.ca/dyl/Pages/Copper-Beech-Tree.aspx)

Standing with the trees against machinery set to destroy them ... does this sound familiar? 

Every one who walks under this tree and enjoys its magnificent shade might appreciate the actions of those two journalists. 

Nesbitt was also a well-known historian, and it was his energy that led to the "Parade of Ships" plaques on Victoria's Inner Harbour. There is a plaque recognizing his efforts, also in the Inner Harbour.

Plaque honouring Nesbitt at the Inner Harbour's "Parade of Ships".  It doesn't mention his other role as a saviour of trees!

James E. Nesbitt. Source John M. MacFarlane http://nauticapedia.ca/Gallery/Monument_Nesbitt.php

Now, moving from the 1970's to current times, here is a different type of effort to protect trees.

In July, I visited Coles Bay Regional Park in Saanich.

The popular beach at Coles Bay Regional Park in Saanich

While the beach is idyllic, I was especially entranced by the adjacent forest, and its ferns, cedars and firs.

The forest at Coles Bay

I noticed a number of large firs which had evidence of someone controlling the invasive English Ivy to prevent it from girdling, and killing, trees.

A large fir with ivy snipped around its base

Close up of the dead ivy vine

At the time I happened to be reading a book by the poet Lorna Crozier, telling some of the story of her life with, and farewell to, her husband Patrick Lane, also a poet. 

The couple lived across the road from Coles Bay Regional Park, and Crozier describes their efforts - especially Patrick's - to regularly go into the park and control ivy that was threatening trees. It was hard work, made even more difficult by the gulleyed terrain and the prevalence of hidden pitfalls that could twist ankles. I am surmising that the photos I took of dead ivy vines reflect their handiwork.

Book by Lorna Crozier which includes a mention of her and Patrick Lane's efforts to control ivy in Coles Bay Park

 

Two stories of fighting for the trees. There are hundreds more. I am grateful to each person who puts their energy into defending these living beings.

A Colourful City

Blogging took a back seat to other pursuits over the summer, but I have no shortage of photos from which to draw—nor any shortage of ideas!

My last post in May was on the joy of colour, and I continue to be enchanted by vibrant colour throughout Victoria. I constantly encounter numerous splashes of joyful shades, along with good examples of aesthetic design, while walking the streets of James Bay, Fairfield and downtown. 

And so... I had to do another post on colour!

Here are a few images that have stood out for me over the past several months.

I loved the tones of the paint on the window trim and house, contrasted with the foliage of the vegetation.

As well as the attractive warm yellow, the splash of burgundy paint, and the complementary tones of the stonework, I enjoy the intimate space that has been created in the front of this house.

Intricate detail on the house, and a variety of shades and textures of vegetation add to the appeal of this unique house.

This James Bay house has been recently repainted in these bold colours. The rich variety of paint choices in James Bay adds to the neighbourhood's appeal. 

A building that cannot be missed. This is on Quadra Street, heading north towards Quadra village. I like its striking boldness which has transformed a drab institutional look. 

I continue to find multiple examples of well crafted murals painted in bold pallettes of colour. Here are a few examples.

Part of the mural on the wall of the washroom at Gonzales Beach

Mural on the fence of a private home in North Park

More of the same North Park mural

Mural on a store in Quadra village. It used to be a drab cinderblock building with a fence.

Detail from a dynamic mural, newly painted along the Dallas Road seawall. I've been searching for information about the artist(s), but so far have only come up with "Fua Collective".

Details from the the four legs of the deer, from above mural.

One more image from the mural. I found an artists' statement describing the mural as "Ocean of Consciousness”, about the "felt experience of nature within us."

Detail from mural by Nichole Majcher, View Street and Quadra

Moving on from murals to unusual colour in private yards. I have featured many examples in past posts, but here are a few more that have resonated with me: 

Intricate hand-painted design on a fence with a mailbox built into it.

Another intricate - and creative - design on the same fence as above.

I enjoy discovering splashes of colour in unusual places - like these Dalmatian Bellflowers in a stone wall.

An attractive stone wall contrasts with the green of foliage and the silvery white of the tree bark. This photo was taken earlier in the summer, when grass was still green!

An intimate entrance to a street level apartment on Simcoe Street

The difference a door makes!

The red of the brick is repeated in the flower pots, with the green, black and cream of the private space adding a nice complement.

Attractive outdoor sitting space beside James Bay United Church.

Walking the Colquitz River trail, I found unusual colour provided through an art installation project that a teacher at Colquitz Middle School initiated several years ago.

One of the designs that makes up the student-driven interpretive display of "RiverSong", along the Colquitz River. 

Another piece of the art installation along the river. These were created by Middle School students in 2014.

Moving from the nature world of RiverSong to downtown, I enjoy the complementary reds and greens of Chinatown.

Window in Chinatown

Doorway in Chinatown

Fantan Alley, Chinatown

Public spaces often contain splashes of colour:

I like the colourful way that the street has been transformed from a vehicle space to a people place. Note the bicycle lock-up stands which are appearing in many similar installations as part of Victoria's bike lane expansion project.

An urban contrast - a futuristic playground with the gothic inspired Christ Church Cathedral in the background.

Bright colours at the Victoria Convention Centre

And commercial establishments also contribute colour in aesthetic ways to the urban landscape:

Colourful entrance of a Mexican restaurant on Quadra Street

Back to community "unconscious" design: some more examples follow.

I liked the elegant curved staircase that reminds me of adobe, with the foxglove spires adding some simple colour

A lamppost in Fairfield - the "Linden Avenue Love and Gratitude Lamp Post"

Another image from Fairfield; this is one of a number of decorated planters outside the community centre.

This image is from a community centre further afield than my normal "wallking" radius, in Cedar Heights Recreation Centre. The pop of colour, and window treatments, appealed to me.

This intriguing window is from Fairfield Bicycles

This tour of some colourful urban scenes would not be complete without a nod to the colours of nature which are present throughout urban Victoria. If it were not for the integration of nature into the streets of Victoria, the city would be far less rich in its appeal.

Detail, arbutus bark

Camas meadow, near Dallas Road.

I have highlighted but a few of many scenes which strike me as I wander on foot. 

Thank you for being a part of my walkabouts!