Sergey Larenkov found a unique way of evoking World War II. He took photos of the German army on the Parisian streets after the fall of France in June 1940 and melded them with new photos taken with same backdrops. Seeing Hitler amidst a group of tourists with the Eiffel Tower in the background and seeing the German cavalry canter down the Champs Elysees surrounded by modern cars are ominous reminders of how the war intruded on the beautiful city.
The photos have visceral and intellectual impacts. The visceral was expected. No one wants to see a city of fond memories being degraded by jackboots.
But that visceral response also provides grist for intellectual rumination.
It’s been 72 years since the invading German army took possession of Paris. It was the time of our grandparents, not us. Why should we care about the German army parading in the streets of Paris?
Because the streets look the same. Oh, cities do evolve over time, as I noted in a recent post about recuperation time. But overall, streetscapes can retain a familiarity even as individual buildings are remodeled or replaced.
Anchored by municipal monuments such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, public buildings such as the Louvre, and the solid private buildings that have withstood the tides of history for a century or more, the Parisian streetscapes of 1940 and 2012 are surprisingly alike.
Those German troops aren’t walking down a street that our grandparents knew. They’re intruding on a place where we’ve strolled recently and hope to stroll again.
And that is one more reason why urban structure matters. It connects us across generations.
As always, your questions or comments will be appreciated. Please comment below or email me. And thanks for reading. - Dave Alden (davealden53@comcast.net)
Dave Alden is a Registered Civil Engineer. He has worked on energy and land use projects in California, Oregon, and Washington. He also was the president of a minor league baseball team for two seasons. He lives on the west side of Petaluma with his wife and four dogs. The blog that he writes can be found at http://northbaydesignkit.blogspot.com. He can also be followed on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Growing up in California, it never occured to me how much emotional power there is in historic architecture. I was stunned by Paris when I lived and worked there in the early 70's. When I return, I find myself immediately oriented and at the same time mesmerized by the dignity of antiquity. I love Paris for the reverence that is shown for its rich architectural legacy.Talking with a Parisian friend let me know that the streetscape preservation described in your post has not been easy to accomplish or maintain. Another of the pleasures of Parisian architecture is what is happening above the streetscape. Buildings soar with embellishments the meaning of which are sometimes known only to Parisians! Returning from a visit to Paris a little while back, I found myself looking up at the Petaluma that occurs above the streetscape. What I saw was architecture that renewed my pleasure in and appreciation for my town! ~Margie
And I'd probably feel the same about a photo of Hitler in front of the McNear Building. Now our goal should be to leave behind archtecture that evokes as much emotion in our descendents as the architecture that was bequeathed to us.