I think it's fairly common knowledge that things aren't always what they seem; One doesn't need to search too far to find examples. Instagram and Facebook are probably the first places that come to mind; You know, millions of people fabricating how amazing their life is with staged photo's of their food or themselves...It's pathetic really. It's not only a product of modern society though; It's happened throughout the ages with people presenting themselves or their lives as more than they truly are: Larger, stronger, richer, more beautiful, more powerful...
Recently I visited the city of Bath in England. Bath is probably most renowned for being the site of the Roman baths from two thousand years ago however has a few other claims to fame; Among them is Royal Crescent. The residential building was built in the 18th century, around 1774 actually, and was designed by John Wood, The Younger, an architect of the time. It's an impressive building really. You can see it in these photos however they don't really do it justice. You really need to see it in person to appreciate its beauty and architectural brilliance.
The building, of some 150m long, is built in a crescent shape and the façade remains virtually unchanged since it was built. The interesting thing is that the building was only actually built as a façade and not a complete building. The eventual owners actually only purchased a length of the façade and then engaged their own architect and builder to create their house behind that front section. This has led to the entire building looking uniform from the front and quite odd, disjointed and ugly from the rear. Well, maybe ugly is the wrong word. Less uniform and beautiful than the front I mean. You can see the rear of the building below and the differing roof heights and building styles.
The building, the façade, is one of the United Kingdom's finest examples of Georgian Architecture and as a concept it's really quite unique. We are fortunate to still have the building as Bath was heavily bombed by the Nazi's during World War Two and the building was, in fact, damaged in places. Luckily it survived as it would have been a great shame if it was destroyed. It is a very expensive place to live these days, and I would imagine it was back 240 years ago as well. Only the privileged get the opportunity to reside at this address and walking around these days one can see that wealth clearly as the road is full of Aston Martin's, Bentley's and Rolls Royce vehicles. I'm sure they all worked hard for their financial success though...
I snapped this image from inside one of the Royal Crescent properties, number One Royal Crescent, which is open to the public. One Royal Crescent is set up as it would have been 240 years ago and gives visitors a great idea of what the privileged life of a resident would have been like. I recommend that if you're visiting Bath it goes on your list of things to do. It was really informative and offers a rare view of the Crescent from within. Whilst we were inside we took some time to speak with the volunteers, some who looked like they were alive when the building was built, and gained a really great understanding of life 240 years ago in One Royal Crescent, Bath.
And so here's an interesting example of presenting as something you're not from the Georgian period in England. In this case I'll cut them some slack because the building is beautiful and the story is interesting...And there was not a duck-face selfie in sight back then in 1774!
I'm glad you posted this; I was curious about the back of it, and yes, it's very strange ... a bit of a mish-mash and so very different than what you'd expect from the front.
I recall you wanting to see this post so thanks for commenting. It's a nice little spot, just near the Botanical gardens on a hill, easy walk to the centre of town. Must have been really nice back in the day. Still is now actually except for the tourists. :)
That's funny that they bought the facade, but not the building! I wonder if they just didn't have the money to have the same person build the whole thing. It's rather strange. And you're right, it's not so much ugly as it is strange to see so many different designs on the backside when the front is so uniform and neat.
The Georgian period was all about showing off. For instance, rich people would make a big show of having table decorations at dinner parties made from sugar-syrup. Sugar was incredibly expensive in the day and so it was used to display how wealthy, and therefore better than everyone else, they were. They'd buy the sugar and have it taken to a place to have the decorations made and then display them as talking pieces over the dinner party.
I think this sort of behaviour was behind the magnificent façade with nothing behind it. It's quite odd I guess, but no more odd than some girl putting revealing pictures of her boobs on Facebook or Instagram in a vain and desperate attempt at attention she probably never received from her father...Or some such thing. At least we have a lovely building to look at now...
If that was the Georgian period, this must be Georgian 4.0. Like you said, all people seem to do nowadays is show off. Like you said, girls will post pictures on Facebook showing off (almost) everything. At one point I think people realized there is value in keeping your valuables private. And I don't think that many of the things people show off now will look as good as that building in 250 years. Ha ha.
Yes I agree. Makes me wonder what the next level of narcissism is...Do they take everything off completely? Check it out on a FB or Instagram page soon...
I don't know, man. I don't know. I can't do facebook anymore. And Instagram got to be too much for me as well. I worry for the state of Steemit if all those people stop thinking that crypto is a scam and decide to bring their self-destructive brand of narcissism here. After all, I don't really want competition. ;)
Yeah, I don't have Instagram or Facebook mate, just not interested. Steemit is already bordering being like Instaface with endless meme's with little or no actual content, an image of their breakfast with the words "loving life right now" and that sort of shit. Still, it's a free world I guess and I have the choice to withhold my vote on that sort of crap...And I do.
Now that Dmania is gone, there aren't as many memes. Personally I think there should be a difference in what rewards are available. I don't think memes should even come close to the same rewards structure.
Yep. It's got to be a really good one to get my vote.
I think that there is a unique beauty to witnessing a conglomeration of a building facade like this one. It's almost as if the walls tell a story on its own with very little to no explanation.
Great article!
Oh yeah, I agree. 240 years would generate stories anyway but the fame and attention this building would have attracted, the rich,famous and notable people who have stayed here...If only the walls could talk.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
HAHA. I live there and I don't know much about its history.
Many people don't know much about the places they live. Myself included until reasonably lately.
back then they probably had duck faced portraits drawn in their overpriced crowded apartments.
LOL
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Hahahahahahaha, no back then they hunted ducks and selfies were painted on canvas. Very interesting and as per your travels mate, I love how civilized and these guys were in their economy, art, architecture and culture as a whole
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