Manhole Covers Etc.
"I've been looking down so long, I don't know which way looks up."

 

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Comments to:

fgardino@rcn.com

 

Paris, France

 

Paris Airport

 

Paris Orly Airport

This was a time when you could still photograph the airport.   After 9/11 it is not even thinkable, especially if you fly out of Boston.  Look at the beautiful patterns and variation of shapes and surfaces.  Notice the two manhole covers in the bottom of the picture...

 

 

Paris Smiley

 

Paris Smiley

Where else but Paris would you see such a strange combination of shapes and textures? 

 

 

Paris Grid #1

 

Louvre Drain in a Grid

This is another example of Parisian clean neat lines, no doubt inspired by the Swiss. 

 

 

Louvre Grid

 

Louvre Grid

This grid reminded me of the grids over the subways in NYC, although there was no rumble and no trains below, nor uplifting air.  

 

Louvre Stone Cover

 

Louvre Stone Cover

Somehow the Parisian cover manufacturer forgot to plant weeds between the granite stones of the cover itself, to match the rest of the plaza. 

 

Louvre Grated Cover

 

Louvre Grated Cover

This cover shows the range of the Parisian public for decoration and flair.  Notice the raised ridges to prevent  water from entering the hole.

 

Round in the Square with Paint

 

Round in the Square with Paint

This cover has paint.

 

Round in the Square Squiggle Cover

 

 

Round in the Square Squiggle Cover after the rain

I'm not sure why these two covers have round inserts, but I could surmise that they were an afterthought for the purpose of covering up a mistaken square hole.

 

Round in the Square Textural Study

 

Round in the Square Textural Study

This cover has so much going texturally that I just had to wait for the right light and for people to leave the spot empty.

 

Paris Burst

 

Paris Burst

This drain burst is similar in design to, was not far from the Eiffel Tower.

 

Eiffel Swirl

 

Eiffel Swirl

This swirl is a fitting for the location of many celebratory occasions.

 

Eiffel View

 

Eiffel View Down

OK, this is not a cover, but it is looking down.

 

Grand Arch

 

Eiffel View Up

OK, this is not a cover, and it's not looking down, but it is looking up at some very utilitarian looking objects.

 

Grand Arch

 

Grand Arch

OK, OK, this is not a cover, nor is it looking down, but it is looking up, and it is celebratory, so let's enjoy the site.