Sunday 22 January 2012

smoke gets in your eyes

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I love the old factories that Barcelona is full of, the brick chimneys rising suddenly from a small plaça, or jutting beligerently from behind the wall of a long-abandoned industrial complex. In fact, I've been wanting to do a "chimney" photoshoot for ages, but it's a bit difficult since they often tend to be right in the middle of the city, surrounded by other buildings, and behind large walls. I was delighted, when leaving work in Poble Nou, an old industrial warehouse district which is sadly being transformed into "pretentious-architecture company headquarters zone," to find that one old factory was right across the street from a park. The light was anything but ideal at that time of day, but I grabbed a few shots anyway. And yes, I put the out-of-focus one in deliberately. I liked how my abstracted self mirrored the column of the chimney, with even the plaid pattern referencing the orange bricks. Wow, I haven't written anything like that since I was inventing some symbolic meaning to a scene in To the Lighthouse for my literature degree. Got an A on that ridiculous paper, too. ; )

Am I alone in finding the trappings of the industrial revolution beautiful? I also love working ports, complete with cranes and chaos. Any takers, or do you all subscribe to the "bucolic forest" version of an ideal landscape?

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dress: Pepe Jeans (gift), blouse: Zara, shoes: Camper, necklace: gift

27 comments:

Raquel said...

Another gorgeous plaid dress, not that I didn't see it before, but still pretty and styled in a lovely way. You made me realise that I have been neglecting neck ties!
Love the pictures too!

Angelica said...

Such a beautiful outfit! Love it!

Monsterchen said...

i absolutely adore this outfit darling!!! the dress is so fabulous,you never go wrong with checked patterns;) and the shirt is soooo supercute!
love and kiss,mary

Shophopper said...

I like the aesthetic of your pictures! There's definitely a charm to old factory buildings. And I'm sure you're not alone - I remember a scene in an Alain de Botton book where he goes roaming the countryside with overhead transmission wires fanatics. Apparently there's a huge variety in the structures supporting them (what do you call those?) and some people find them enchanting. So there you go!

Xavi said...

This is such a beautiful dress.... :)
I also like this kind of urban-factory spaces. And of course, I agree with you. The Poble Nou transformation is sometimes ugly. Begining by the "Supository Tower". You know. I'm glad to read you again.

Julia Topaz said...

I have to admit- a bucolic scene is appealing! But I can see where you're coming from. There's something really tactile and surreal about the industrial landscape.

The Semi Sweet said...

I think you're right. Giant buildings from the industrial revolution can be beautiful.. I kind of prefer the look of old dingy buildings from years past to pastoral landscapes.

Your photos are really interesting in this set. I do love the juxtaposition of the pretty plaid dress to the rustic old chimney.

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Julia: woot! You get the prize for most impressive vocab in a comment. I can't think when the last time I heard "tactile" was!

Anonymous said...

You know, I have photos of peeling paint and rust and the underside of bridges...so yes, there are moments that industrialism IS beautiful.

The boots are really versatile aren't they?

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Terri: So far so good! I actually only bought these two weeks ago. Still breaking them in, somewhat painfully...

Miss Tallulah Porkchop said...

YOu have such a great style. I will be using your outfits as inspiration when we hit winter. I LOVE seeing stuff you have put together that I would never think of pairing.

Elanor said...

i noticed the out of focus photo and actually i quite enjoy it! very pretty.

also, that blouse is simply lovely!
xx

Amrit said...

Great pictures except second last

Diana said...

you are seriously so gorgeous in these pictures

http://dressedupallligators.blogspot.com/

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Amrit: Umm... thanks? What's wrong with the second last? It strikes me as quite a normal, inoffensive picture!

Annebeth said...

I love bricks and old industry towns and all things derelicte (yeay zoolander) so yeah, I love this chimney too! and the outfit is totally something I would wear. I wish I was wearing that jumper now instead of tights + an oversized shirt. Very Lady Gaga-chic while studying, yeahz

Emily, Resplendent Tranquility said...

I think there's a lot to be said of industrial beauty. I've always found the symmetry in smokestack clusters to be rather pleasing to the eye. Old mills are equally as enchanting even in their current states of decay. I think it's something in the colors, brown and grey and rust, and the remnants of what once was.

Laura said...

Utterly charming outfit, and I absolutely love that out-of-focus shot! And who doesn't remember inventing symbolism at least once? Sometimes I say that I got my BA in BS :P

thejoyfulfox.blogspot.com

Amrit said...

Emily,

In second last picture, it is not offensive at all. But you don't look like yourself...

Franca said...

I also have a thing for industrial brick buildings. Leicester 9where my husband is from) is full of them, and they're all falling into disrepair and i want to save them!

Beautiful dress btw!

Rachel, Cold Knees said...

I love discovering Barcelona through your posts, these buildings are lovely. Nice plaid number too! xx

Zane said...

that dress and blouse combination is just perfect

Monique said...

i traveled to manaus, brazil a few years ago and there was so much movement at the port. it was incredible to stand still watch everything around me move it felt like the natural sounds of people and boats bustling went in rhythm wit all the movement. you look lovely. that little tie is so sweet and so is that dress.

Ashley said...

This dress fits you so well! LOVE it. BTW, nice title...I love the song as well if you know it :)

Eleni said...

As long as it's brick. Concrete does nothing for me.

I love Victorian train stations :)

Anonymous said...

I adore that dress and once again you've styled it beautifully :)

I am with you on the industrial awesome. From smoke stacks over water towers and pumping jacks to wind farms and that old favourite: Power lines. :)

Katie Burry said...

What a beautiful dress! <3 Love it!