From the park at the end of the road it is possible to walk into the hills and go for miles. The entrance, essentially a rise to a river flood buffer zone, is popular with visitors and family day trippers. The local warden head has arranged for installations to be placed here, owls, bears, an incessant show of tack and, occasionally, a letter installation forming the word “Love.”
I don’t get the idea behind that installation. I know visitors like to have their photos taken with it. I get that as a way to attract visitors to the park, I just don’t get why anyone would want to do that. I can’t see the use in it. I’m not being cynical: I just don’t understand it. If you understand the meaning of the word, its physical replication will mean nothing. If you don’t, then the replication will not help you.
I was walking the dogs through the park on Tuesday night. I noticed the installation was dismantled and lying upside down on a slant, dismounted from its pedestal. The effect was to have the word looking forlorn and abandoned. It happened to be lying under spiky, leafless branches. Again, not being cynical, not feeling that this was an adequate comment on the word, but I did think the lettering in its temporary format was far more effective in performing the function of a piece of art. So that was nice.
A few days later, on Lunar New Year’s day, I went to Longshan temple. It was crowded.
Confy says
Haha, well says on the physical replication ! I like the whole 2nd paragraph. No, you’re not being cynical, at least not in this post😂 And nice b&w title pic!
Ingrid says
That was an interesting post on Valentine’s Day!💞 We could get into quite a philosophical discussion about this! It would be interesting to know who dismantled the original lettering and if it was a result of disillusionment, a failed relationship or a broken heart?
The Lunar New Year photos bring back memories of the crowds during my visit … I remember stepping into the sea of people and following the flow through the temples, The chanting the smell of incense burning the glow of candles and lanterns…
carylon says
Unfortunately, it turned out to be prescient for more than one couple I know 🙁