the colour of money

They say that money doesn’t grow on trees. In Korea that’s not true. This past weekend we went to the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival – the largest and longest running cherry blossom festival in South Korea. It draws millions of visitors every year. Now if millions of tourists are drawn to see a bunch of trees with blossoms, then I say Jinhae is a goldmine, money does indeed grow on trees – figuratively speaking of course. In Jinhae it would seem that the colour of money is pink.

It was raining on the day that we went to Jinhae so most of the blossoms had fallen. I think the rain kept a few people away as well – so you could say that’s money down the drain or stream in this case. Non the less we enjoyed it and the blossoms were still pretty amazing.

One more thing: The Korean word for ‘park’ is 공원 (gong-won).  I find it interesting that the word ‘won’ appears in the word ‘park’. Won is the Korean currency.  Linguistically it was obviously not intended that way but as architects we learn that public spaces adds value to urban environments so I thinks its fitting that the word ‘park’ and the Korean currency share a syllable.

back to the future

Ever since we landed in Seoul it has felt as if I stepped onto the set of Blade Runner. Technology, Neon lights, weird outfits, you name it.  I rather like it.

As for my post title, I spotted this Nissan Figaro last week.

The Figaro was introduced at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show under the slogan “Back to the Future”

Just as Blade Runner referenced fashion from the 40′s, Nissan made reference to the 50′s and 60′s. I find this ‘retrospective’ way of depicting the future interesting. I think it speaks of the human need to hang on to what we know and sometimes unfairly romanticise. I think that a lot of times the prospect of the unknown is made less frighting by referencing the past – if that makes sense.  Anyway, I really like this little car.

I enjoy the juxtaposition of an old world retro car in a super technological environment.  Everything isn’t all techno and man-made though; nature still has its place in Daejeon. The trees are starting to blossom and signs of spring are everywhere.  There is a natural sort of romance in the air here – no need to go retro or anything.

Korea is a lot less grimy than the future depicted in Blade Runner and I don’t think crime is as bad, but I do suspect they have a head start on the replicants…

 

spring is in the air

I’m only in Korea for one year so I can not waste time.  My first big outing: Jinhae Gunhangje Festival (진해군항제).  I am very much excited to see the masses of cherry blossoms.  Spring only comes once a year…

memory jog

I recently came across these Disc String Lights from Pigeon Toe Ceramics.  I love them. They also reminded me of some fungi I photographed near Knysna last year.

1.  My photograph of the bright orange fungi near Knysna.  2. The hanging Disk String Lights from Pigeon Toe Ceramics.

 

selling your soul

Some believe that photographs capture the soul of the person being photographed.  This is generally linked to the belief that your reflection is your soul.

Today in the antique shop I stumbled upon some old photographs that were for sale.  While the snapshots with people and animals did not interest me much, I did find the photos of places and things quite appealing.  I normally take photos of things and not so much people, especially not people posing.  So I understand the attraction to the photos of boats and buildings.

This got me thinking: If your eyes are the windows to your soul then surely photos of things you look at and choose to capture holds something of your soul as well?

I bought a couple of photos.  I don’t know who took them, I don’t know when and where exactly.  All I know is that I like the things this person looked at and the way in which they chose to capture it – and that I think captures far more of your soul than a photo of your face.

If my photos ever end up for sale in an antique shop/second-hand store, I hope that someone will look at my pictures and think the same.  Maybe even see me in/through them.