amsterdam is a city of bicycles.
it is also - alas - a city of bicycle parts: frames, wheels and chains decorate bridges and festoon bannisters. locks - like this one over at onno's - hang about doing nothing of consequence, having proved unequal to their (admittedly) difficult task.
these rusting, or merely relinquished bits and pieces are immensely picturesque, but the sight of them, and the awareness of some poor person's immobility, is just as immensely sad.
And someone matched his lock chain immensely well with his wheel. Or vice versa.
ReplyDeleteWell it might not mean immobility: it might be the most ingenuous security device. People in London go to enormous lengths to prevent cycle theft (it must be similar in Amsterdam) so perhaps by spreading the parts about - each locked securely and attractively to some piece of streetscape - the owner is sure of reclaiming her bicycle.
ReplyDeleteI just got back from a quick getaway and have a better photo to accompany this one! Tomrrow... :)
ReplyDeletethis is one of the nicest images you've posted -- I wish I would have caught it a few days ago -- it would definitely be one of my Favs of the Day! -- it's just .... great... love the reds -- but also love the reflections off the water... the dark objects with the lines around them -- reminds me of islands for some reason... I'd have this print hanging on my wall... nicely nicely done!
ReplyDeleteI really like this for a few reasons.. The red chain matching the wheel, the wheel almost acting like a bumper for boats in the water, the fractalish patterns of the trees? in the water. Very nice!
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