Belgrade, Republic of Serbia eob@eyesonbelgrade.com

Nature, foe of arts

The trees don't appreciate art. In summer, at least. In autumn and winter they become architecture friendly. And over the course of time people made quite an effort to dazzle the public with facade decorations and all kinds of architectural features a house or building could have. In the end, hardly anyone pays attention.

In general, it is justifiable, because of the seasons. It is virtually impossible to appreciate art if it is visually obstructed. On the other hand, when it's cold and windy, we tend to look down and protect the eyes.

The solution, of course, is urban planning. Something that Belgrade could never accomplish. Great many destructions of the city prevented it. So often it was built and rebuilt randomly. Predominantly by wealthy people who wanted to show off. And there was hardly any constraints.

Then, there was the case of leading ideology in the second half of the 20th century preventing restauration to the previous condition, or rebuilding the city in the old fashion way. So, you get an overall sense of lack of order. Or eclecticism, to put it in nice words.

But that's part of Belgrade's charm... like all those hidden ornaments on the buildings. Invisible, but they are there, alright.

Bits&Pieces of Reality

  • November 2019
    • Pronounce it! (3955)

      So you see these weird signs and you wonder what's that all about? That's Cyrilic script, you...

  • October 2019
    • Masterpiece in pieces (4355)

      Sometimes a photo really cannot show a true magnitude of a venture, nor its beauty. So, I will not...

  • September 2019
    • Modern times (2808)

      Modern ways are here, and they are always here. At present. Sneaky, they are wrapping their claws...

    • Nature, foe of arts (3254)

      The trees don't appreciate art. In summer, at least. In autumn and winter they become architecture friendly....

  • July 2019
    • Raggedy crown's jewel (2980)

      Ever seen a woman (or a man, for that matter) and thought that even in rags she (or he) would look...

    • Hello, Borislav Pekić! (2802)

      If only Arsenije Njegovan could wake up now and see you sitting on the stairs at Flower square,...

  • June 2019
    • Architectural climate (3527)

      Richly ornamented Belgrade facades are often further decorated with air-conditioning devices, in...