Is it wrong to love a building? I don’t mean physically of course, clearly that is beyond the pale, but on an aesthetic level is it wrong? I do hope not. I don’t wish to be considered a deviant any more than is strictly necessary. You see, I spent a great deal of Saturday in London where, amongst other things, I went to the Natural History Museum and fell head over heels. I have never seen so many of the architectural devices that I enjoy all in one place and presented so neatly. Every detail on every column hinted at the purpose behind their creation, the entire building is self-referential. Owls hide in the vines scrolling up walls; patterns on the floor hint at the crystalline structure of minerals, monkeys climb vaulted ceilings while shellfish hide in alcoves and seeds sit carved into doors. I love it from its darkest corner to the griffins haughtily staring down atop its imposing edifice. It is a work of genius.
I am not even going to touch on the exhibits suffice to say that if I could choose what to spend the rest of my life doing it would be trawling through them one by one. Those and everything contained in the British Museum. All of it. I am truly astonished that I cannot remember ever having been to these two places. I am appalled that my parents may not have taken me to either. I am so happy I went.
You know all those things you read about in books? The Rosetta Stone, the Sutton Hoo hoard, the Lewis Chessmen, the Elgin Marbles, and dinosaurs? Well I saw all of those things in the space of a day. I’ve wanted to see the Sutton Hoo Hoard since I was seven and now I have. It is exquisite.
The reading room at the British Museum is the closest to heaven I am ever likely to get.
I will be going back soon.
Unfortunately some people missed out on all the awesomeness and pancakes the size of the Isle of Wight (so very tasty) because they were asleep. They will never know what it is like to eat a sausage cob that looks like a penis while looking at a giant dead bloke made out of gold.
Total score: WIN
London: Cleaner than I remember it being.
Museums: 11 (see spinal tap)
Company: Excellent.
Grumpiness: Almost none (would have been less but for screaming bloody kids.)
Best name: Matisse (bullied at school.)
Favourite thing: Cockfosters (pfft!)
There are pictures.
Oh my god how did I manage to forget about Matisse.
Yet another mistake in the life of Jon/JJ/Jonathan. Whatever you want to call me, I sure do cock things up sometimes! I’m going to London next time. Maybe I’ll even organise it, although because I’m lame I’ll just go and spend money that I don’t have in shops that you can find everywhere else in the country.
No problem, Charles! We are basically going to make snide in-jokes about it for forever, you’ll soon catch up!
Spending money in shops in London is not lame, it is what London is for.
Everyone had better be out Friday night or I am going to be bored.
Lucy is right about the in-jokes.
Its not at all wrong to love a building. I have done at least one project on the Natural History Museum looking at its design and history. I even have book which goes in to a lot of detail about the building’s design and development.
I’ll post it to you if you’re interested, I know you’re someone I can trust to look after something as sacred as a book.
Shopping in London is not something thats ever really appealed to me though, I always go as a tourist to go to museums, the theatre or stuff like that. However, since my Dad works just off The Mall, down from Picadilly Circus, I also tend to visit him because I then get a very nice, free, lunch. Always a bonus.
I think I need to go down again this summer sometime because its been a while. If I get organised enough to do something, I shall inform people who may be interested. The Royal Society also has some fantastic scientific historical things which are worth a visit.
Forks, crabs, glasses.
Shopping in London =