The Boston Diaries
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Tag Archives: Portraits of America
Shovelling snow
There has been heavy snowfall over the last few days all across New England. I was aware that it is mandatory for each resident/landlord to shovel and clean up the sidewalk in front of their property, but hadn’t realised the … Continue reading
Thanksgiving Day
By the President of the United States of America. A Proclamation. The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that … Continue reading
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Tagged food, holidays, Middleborough, Portraits of America, Thanksgiving
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The net from which you can’t escape
“The home reproduces social stereotypes and socially constructed notions and practices about your body, your gender, your sexuality, familial hierarchies, the relationship between the public and the private, which altogether form a net from which you can’t escape” Myrto Kiourti … Continue reading
American Beauty
“It was one of those days when it’s a minute away from snowing and there’s this electricity in the air, you can almost hear it. Right? And this bag was, like, dancing with me. Like a little kid begging me … Continue reading
Vintage Boston
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Tagged Back Bay, Mass Ave, Portraits of America, Prudential
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The semi-obscure second level of urban public space
“Brothels and cemeteries constitute a semi-obscure second level of urban public space. They are spatially delineated, with their own rules- yet, they are vital to a city. It’s important to keep spaces like these at the heart of the city. … Continue reading
The realisation of liberation
“In order to enjoy something, I have to first liberate my body. Architectural design should liberate the user so that they can enjoy the experience of use […] Aesthetic beauty is ultimately about being moved by the realisation of liberation” … Continue reading
Hoop Dreams
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Tagged Hoop Dreams, Portraits of America, Roxbury, South End
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The potentiality of the unexpected
[A beautiful urban landscape] “should not provide us with a predetermined use of that space. It should allow for the potentiality of the unexpected” Mara Bitrou (interview with the author, 1 September 2012).
Struggle for Pleasure
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Tagged Back Bay, Bay Village, Portraits of America, stations, trains
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Day 36: Boston Noir
Recommended reading: D. Lehane (Ed) (2009), Boston Noir, Akashik Books D. Lehane (Ed) (2012), Boston Noir 2: the Classics, Akashik Books
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Tagged Bay Village, books, noir, Portraits of America, Prudential
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On urban landscapes
What is a beautiful urban landscape? “Beauty is obviously subjective but what I personally consider to be a beautiful urban space is the space that highlights its urban [/civic] identity; it acknowledges and accepts speed, and allows the seamless coexistence … Continue reading
Democracy in America
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Tagged Mayoral election, politics, Portraits of America, South End
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City Lights
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Tagged Back Bay, Mass Ave, noir, Portraits of America, Prudential
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Community
Community. A word/concept that is very rarely used in parts of Europe – or it is used in very narrow terms to describe an administrative area or population of a small town – and yet it’s so widespread and fundamentally … Continue reading
Vote
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Tagged Boston Common, Mayoral election, Portraits of America, Tremont St
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Placeworlds
“Place can function as the most powerful organizing theme of shared meaning. Street corners and neighborhoods, parks and schools, monuments and memorials— these are not just spots on a map. They are what hold the abstraction of social life together” … Continue reading
Icon
“You have to have been a Republican to know how good it is to be a Democrat.” (Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis)
Posted in Boston Diaries
Tagged art, Back Bay, JFK, Newbury St, Portraits of America
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Autumn Leaves
The falling leaves drift by the window The autumn leaves of red and gold I see your lips, the summer kisses The sun-burned hands I used to hold Since you went away the days grow long And soon I’ll hear … Continue reading
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Tagged fall, foliage, jazz, Portraits of America, trees, Wenham
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Newburyport Mural
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Tagged murals, New England, Newburyport, Portraits of America, public art
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Boston Public Library
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Tagged Boston Public Library, Copley Square, libraries, Portraits of America
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Front Cover
“The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.” (John F. Kennedy, May 18, 1963)
Posted in Boston Diaries
Tagged home, JFK, Mayoral election, politics, Portraits of America
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Halloween Symmetry
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Tagged Dorchester, Halloween, JFK, Portraits of America, Savin Hill
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