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My Walk this Week – Architecture at The Glynn Vivian

My walk this week is not in a natural environment but instead it is around the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery and Museum – unless you consider our need for creativity a part of nature, which I do! It is an essential part of our existence that we observe the things around us and it is a part of my own particular nature to enjoy observing what we call art, and also on this occasion, architecture and design.

Glynn Vivian Art Gallery and Museum

The architecture of the original building is formal, balanced, symmetrical. The newer wing is made in concrete and the even newer entrance is largely glass. This is perhaps fitting as the building opposite also has a new glass extension as entrance to Swansea College of Art and the original design of this building reflects that of the Glynn Vivian.

I enjoy the balance and symmetry of the old buildings and the embellishments in their design, but I also enjoy the more abstract aspects of the new – the patterns of reflections and transparency. Glass has the advantage of allowing the outside in, giving us essential natural light in what would otherwise be a totally enclosed space. Many galleries are of course totally enclosed spaces, but in these, perhaps our imaginations are prompted to explore other spaces through the artworks we see, whether historical or modern.

Posted in Architecture, Art Galleries, Photography, Travel, Walks and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

2 Comments

  1. I enjoyed this look around at the architecture of the Glynn Vivian, Alastair. And I liked seeing the College of Art and its contrasting architecture; quite an eclectic display of different styles. Also enjoyed the various shapes you were keyed in on. Thanks for the link to the museum, too, I appreciated learning about it.

    • Thanks again Jet, I’m glad you liked my different take on a “walk”. The museum could really do with its own standalone website instead of being run by the County Council – they don’t present it well in my opinion and it has a worthy history and an excellent program of exhibitions. It would be worth presenting and promoting it as well as possible.

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