SCRACE ARCHITECTS

Adding a fourth dimension to our clients dreams

TEMPORARY

Wish I was at home for Christmas

By

Only a week left to go to get everything sorted.  The presents organised, the food ordered, the house set for visitors (if we’re allowed them).  So why all the fuss? Why do we suddenly feel the need to get everything ready for the big day? Why is it so important?  What I find so interesting this year is that, even when we have spent much more time at home than usual, we seem more excited about the prospect of getting home for Christmas.  It made me wonder, what it is about Christmas that draws us home?

My architectural leaning is that there maybe comfort in knowing that our homes offer SHELTER from the storm.  As the darkness of winter looms, maybe we are naturally drawn to the warmth of the fire and protection from the elements.  The safety of being able to look out from your own space is very powerful, particularly at the moment.  Or maybe, as my heart suggests, perhaps it is more than that.  Maybe it is knowing that you have friends and family to share space with, to share your hopes and dreams.

Sharing Stories 

Our Scandinavian counterparts are keen on the concept of “Hygge” which embraces the thought of cosiness and contentment through simple things.  A philosophy that helps them through many a dark night and one we can all relate to. The dark nights give us the chance to harbour down with our families and reflect.  Reflect on a tough year and to share stories.  Sharing stories around a fire or a Christmas tree seems to give them new meaning, more power.  Maybe putting a physical marker on a moment creates memory, gives them resonance.

Ironically it is the temporary and impermanent nature of Christmas that I find the most frustrating.  The good old festive glow is sadly fleeting.  The Christmas tree, once so important, is cast asunder, the carefully wrapped presents lost in seconds.  Maybe we should be more precious about these things, about our time together. Maybe we should take time to understand why they matter so much and recognise the space Christmas creates for our souls.

Changing Spaces

What you will notice over the festive period is that your house is quickly turned upside down. The dining room becomes the playroom, the study someone’s bedrooms, whilst the garage plays host to a turkey. Spaces seem to be adapted to accommodate need. Space is made available to a Christmas Tree, a mother-in-law* and a whole menagerie of closely-related animals that have also decided to stay. Kids turn sofas into grottos whilst Mums and Dads find shelter in the rugby or “Back to the Future”.

Christmas gives us the chance to reflect, to see and shape space differently.  The question is, what space do you need? When you’ve got your feet up by the log fire, in the new space you have created, maybe there is something you like, that you might want to keep. Or maybe you notice there is another space that isn’t doing as much as for you as it might?

What matters most about the architecture of Christmas, is not the space you create, but the people you accommodate.  The more the merrier (covid restrictions pending).  If we can make time and space for people at Christmas perhaps there is hope for us and our houses when working from home or during the next lockdown.

Working from Home

Whatever your plans, make sure you make the most of your space this Christmas.  Put your feet up and think differently. Rather than letting lifestyle magazines dictate how you use a space why not take a moment to think about how your space can adapt to your lifestyle?  Now there is no turkey in the garage, what else could it be used for (the mother-in-law?).  Rather than take the decorations down, why not keep them up, keep your spirits up. Rather than say goodbye at the end of the season, why not give more time and space to each other throughout the year. One thing is for certain, it is important that we all make room for living in 2022!

_______________________________________________________

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Whilst I’ll be home for Christmas, four walls and a roof may be out of reach for many. In the interest of goodwill and hygge and in the support of those that aren’t looking forward to Christmas you can DONATE to SHELTER by clicking on the link.

* My mother-in-law is really quite nice and I certainly wouldn’t think to put her in the garage.

 

THIS TOO WILL PASS

By

Tim Scrace‘s sculpture, This Too Will Pass, #TTWP has been installed on the High Street in Salisbury and will remain in place throughout the summer 2021. The installation is part of Salisbury BID’s ongoing support for local businesses, particularly as they reopen after three months of lockdown, supporting a vibrant city centre that attracts both residents and visitors to Salisbury’s independent businesses and hospitality venues.

This video was prepared by Carlton Brunton of Brunton Media

People

The sculpture was created to mimic pilgrimage, the movement of people to and from the cathedral.  The passing of time and memory.  The process of reflection, mindfulness and vision represented in snapshots of the past, present and future.  Viewers pass along the same path as their ancestors and are encouraged to stop and recognise this.  The large monoliths created by recycled boards also hint to the neighbouring Stonehenge and other spiritual connections. Emphasising the link between the high street, st thomas’ and the cathedral they direct and articulate this force and movement.

Technology

The stones represent the process of constructing the cathedral, the crafting of a rock to a finished element, a finial.  Machine driven technology has enabled us to make products in a different way.  Where the materials of the past might be stone, those of the future are made of recycled plastic and recycled paper.

Vision

In allowing the community to mark the boards using chalk the aim of the sculpture is to help the city find its collective voice.  To reflect on the past and build on its future.  The world is changing and we all need to make changes.  “This Too Will Pass” provides a platform for this transition.  Please make a visit to Salisbury to share your thoughts and ideas.

WITH THANKS

The sculpture is funded by Arts Council England’s National Lottery Funding Grant.  The following people and organisations helped bring the sculpture to life. Thanks to: Salisbury Bid, Salisbury Cathedral Works Yard, Salisbury Joinery, Wiltshire Creative, Deborah Fox, James Gough, RDF Lighting, Richlite, Stormboard, RNC Fabrications, Wiltshire Council, Salisbury City Council, Design Pit, Signs Express.

________________________________________________________________________________

COMMENTS

Deborah Fox, owner of local gallery, café and gift shop Fisherton Mill, said: “It is so exciting to see our cityscape being enlivened by this locally designed, interactive artwork for the summer season. Visitors and locals alike are now so much more appreciative of the outdoors and Salisbury is very blessed with vibrant and historic streets and our High Street views will be further enhanced with this addition.”

Robert Titley, Chair of Salisbury Cathedral’s Arts Advisory Committee and Canon Treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral said: “It is wonderful to see Cathedral stone used in this new work. The builders of our Cathedral were driven by faith and hope, and they reached out for something beyond the everyday. We see that same spirit in this installation, and it’s a spirit we all need as we look forward from this hardest of years.”

Jess Gibbons, Wiltshire Council Director, Community and Neighbourhood services, said: “We are delighted to have been able to help facilitate the installation of this interactive sculpture in an area of Salisbury where it will be seen by a large number of people. Although this piece of art was initially developed as part of the 800th anniversary of the Cathedral commemoration, the theme of ‘This Too Will Pass’ is particularly relevant and poignant given the events of the last year or so. We hope that residents and visitors to the city take the opportunity to interact with the sculpture and it enables them to reflect on their own past, present and future.”

Salisbury Mayor Elect Councillor Caroline Corbin said: “Salisbury is excited about welcoming residents and visitors safely back into the city centre this summer as lockdown measures ease. This interactive sculpture will be an additional attraction, giving people a chance to reflect on the past but also to envisage a bright and optimistic future for us all.”