The Hard Lines Of Canberra Concrete

Have these buildings aged well? Compared with many others, I think they have.

In fact I remember when these were built, and how dominating and progressive they appeared. Canberra yet again at the forefront of creativity, and national identity – and the tools by which identity is made.

Strangely, I felt somewhat more connected with these buildings than I expected: there’s a hint of welcome-ness to them, as though they’re so harsh and stark to the point of admitting they’re overdone and thus are yours to own. In a fault, humanity. In humanity, welcome-ness.

What do you think of the suspended ball? Two photos of that, just because someone had the simple idea to do it.

In the background of course can be seen the two mountains that help define the city. Mount Ainslie and Black Mountain (with the tower). In rear, behind the photographer, is the other feature Red Hill.

Well, those buildings are there and there’s not much that can be done about them if you don’t like the style. I find them striking but not overly so: the living liquid lake overcomes their harshness and it is to the protean qualities of the lake that hardline concrete surrenders.

And that I could see them, after laser surgery, mattered to me as much as life itself. I marveled in that very fact: I could see them. Being grateful doesn’t go close.