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Many males of our species are particularly wild about automobiles as children. And then as they get older, they become even further obsessed with them. The opposite is happening with me. The older I get, the less interested in cars I've become. They are sources of headaches. Accidents. Pollution. What is happening in the Gulf of Mexico today might not be, were it not for our love affair with automobiles. As a race, we just can't get enough. Just turn a blind eye to the downside of it all. The mountains of used tires, which sometimes catch on fire.
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But despite my ambivalent, but mostly negative, feelings about automobiles in general, I can still admire a work of art as a work of art. Once in a while the curving lines of a particularly fine body can succeed in capturing my attention. For a second or two. Before I remember the oil. I stumbled on this showroom window in Paris the other day, and snapped a picture. For the lines in it. It was only afterwards that I realized there were reflections in it too. So, can any of you car enthusiasts out there name the maker of these, these, these temptresses ? And given there are some reflections in it, this is a fine time to link in to James' wonderful weekend reflections series . . .
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The same photo after a little acid bath to clean it up a bit . . .
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17 comments:
the second pic is great -real abstract art
Have to admit I'm a complete auto ignoramus. I can spot a mini or an estate or a capri. Beyond that I can only identify cars by the colour.
I like the acid bath look. In both pictures, because of the reflections, there is a sense of a double exposure...and even 'time warp'. (Thinking that images outside the glass box of futurism, are images of some time past.) Yesterday and tomorrow both seem to be in the picture. And then there is you standing between them in the moment.
When I think of cars as art, it's always the cars of the '30s.
The top photo has color in it and after the acid bath the picture is black and white. Audi?
If I had my way I would do away with cars. But then I live out in the boondocks - the walk to town to get milk would be way too much work.
I like the acid wash photo the best, the reflections really pop out - including the reflection of the photographer!
So much to reflect upon! If they built them to last, run on something other than gas, and recycled wisely...
I like the acid bath one a lot too. Can't help with the make but they look expensive!
There seems to be a slight preference thus far for the acid bath version of the photo but, personally, I much prefer the first, softer, more ethereal look of the first one. I could float into it, dream around in it, get lost in it's layers more than in the stark, hard-lined, hard-edged, black and white version. That is not to say that I don't appreciate the cleaner lines of the second variation which communicate the power and force behind the automobile (no reference to the driver or photographer intended).
I haven't got such a sharp eye when it comes to cars. I'm not sure, but maybe that is more of a man thing? I know my hubby would be able to identify these treasures... I do love the b&w photo... it glistens! And let's see, there are some reflections... and is that you there with your camera? Of course it is! Always love to see these photos where you make a cameo appearance!
I hope you have a smiling week, Owen!
Nevine
I think I see a Smart Car in the reflections. No clue about the others. The photo matters even without interpretation.
Fine images indeed. I'm fond of B&W but I like the color version as well. Can't name the expensive autos. I don't lust over exotic cars any more. All I want is a way to get from here to there safely, via my bicycle when practical.
Both of these are good but I like the bottom one best.
Paris has very nice auto showrooms.
I've never been wild about cars however I do enjoy the convenience they provide. Point A to Point B with good gas mileage is what I look for but I sometimes admire interesting classic cars.
The BP oil spill is such a tradedy! It makes me think that the US should start drilling more wells closer to the coast where they are easier to control.
A hello to James. I just wanted to reply to your post above re the oil spill in the gulf. There are some 4,000 rigs operating in gulf waters now. And the problem is that the seabed in the easier waters close to shore have been pretty well tapped out. OIl operations have begun exploration of deeper waters without doing their homework re possible consequences. And that's why we are in this mess today. For a funny vid go to Youtube and search "BP spills Coffee".
Thanks, Owen for allowing me to bring this up on your site.
Hello to all, it is always a huge pleasure to read your thoughts here in this comment box, I am always amazed at the things that turn up here...
For info, not that it really matters, this was an Aston Martin showroom. New Aston Martins sell in the neighborhood of 200000 euros, or around 250000 dollars, at today's exchange rates. You may recall that James Bond drove some Aston Martins way back when, in one of the earlier cases of corporate product placement in cinema, which we all know now is rather effective as advertising goes... At some point James Bond got held up by BMW, and Aston Martins were relegated to Bond history.
Mythop., liked your remark about yesterday and tomorrow both being in the picture... ties in with a book I just finished re-reading, Tom Robbins' Fierce Invalids... where there is a character named Today is Tomorrow...
As cameo appearances go, it isn't too well hidden, but I didn't even realize it was happening, was focused on those flowing curves...
As for the oil in the Gulf, what can one say but, "The horror, the horror"...
Un peu comme toi les grosse voitures rutilantes et poluantes m'agacent...
Mais le côté esthétique de certaines interpelle.
Je ne suis pas en vacances, non, mais mon pc oui, il est parti ( pour toujours) Je me connecte avec un portable, les photos sont en cours de sauvetage, donc pas de publication pour le moment.
Et toi? des vacances ?
J'aurais aimé te dire que these temptresses étaient des DS hummm, Déesses, mais je ne tromperais personne. Alors, je reste dans mon ignorance volontaire des carosseries pour ne m'arrêter que sur les reflets qui sont magnifiquement traités bien qu'involontaires.
Looks a bit like David and Goliat to me, with the small car being reflected - makes one wonder who's going to survive.
With all public transport services on a hold due to just another strike, streets will be filled to the top with cars and alike tomorrow.
A nice Tuesday filled with clean and silent air for you.
daily athens
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