This is dreadful news about the
Glasgow School of Art, although the radio this morning mercifully suggests that
the loss is not total. If the word “iconic” weren't so dreadfully
overused, this would be the moment to employ it. It is (or was) an
astonishing building in every detail, of European importance.
I thought yesterday (although I am sure
this is inappropriate) of Herostratus, who burnt down the Temple of
Diana at Ephesus in the 4th century BC – it was one of
the Seven Wonders of the ancient world – in order to ensure that
his name would live in history. As it has. The School was full of
students yesterday, preparing for their degree show. If the fire was
started by the carelessness of one of them, he or she will have to
live the rest of his or her life as The One Who Burnt Down the
Glasgow School of Art.
I did well on errands yesterday. Today
will be quieter, I hope, organising things for Strathardle tomorrow
and cooking for Archie, who is an appreciative subject. I'm glad
we're not going today. For one thing, I still haven't potted-on those
chillis.
I've reached round 106 of the borders
of the Unst Bridal Shawl. Only 30 more remain. And the 5th
ball of yarn, the one for May, is beginning to look poorly, right on
schedule.
I won't try to write tomorrow morning.
If all goes well, I'll be here again on Thursday – with pictures, I
promise.
That was appalling news about the GSA fire. There are some things that cannot be replaced. The one thing to be said is that it was not deliberate and nobody died. I look at the history and art wilfully destroyed in other places and I could weep.
ReplyDeleteJust to take your mind off the fire (not to make light of it): I just discovered Franklin had a new column in the Lion Brand notebook on May 15 which I had missed and which will definitely make you smile. It's here: http://blog.lionbrand.com/2014/05/15/play-me/
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be very little coverage of the fire here in the U.S., aside from NPR where there was a story overnight and again this morning. Not surprising I guess in a country where if you didn't go looking, you wouldn't have known there was an election going on in India. That said, as you noted above, the news about the library this morning does seem considerably better than last night. And the Franklin article will give you a giggle - or many. Have a great time while you're away. I look forward to your return.
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