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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Thirty Nine: Juxtaposition – compare and contrast for meaning > Fenced off, New York City, 2006
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02-AUG-2006

Fenced off, New York City, 2006

New York is a city of barriers. I moved in on these modernistic spikes that top the entrance gate to this office building’s driveway, and juxtaposed their horizontal sweep with the soaring vertical walls of the building itself. While the gate tells us to keep out, its warm coloration has already been absorbed in the distant buildings. (Note the splash of gold on the wall at left and the golden reflection in the windows.) The upward thrust of each spike is echoed in the windows and vertical trim on the buildings that rise behind them.

Leica D-Lux 2
1/125s f/3.2 at 6.3mm iso80 full exif

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Phil Douglis07-Sep-2006 06:41
Thanks, Catriona. You are right -- this image does express the staggering height and mass of Manhattan's buildings. By cropping these buildings as I do, I suggest that they go on and on, without end. The bars and spikes echo the soaring buildings, keeping us out, yet also carrying us into the image through the warm, matching tones of their color.
Guest 07-Sep-2006 03:44
I really like this picture Phil - one of my favourites in this collection. The colours all blend beautifully and the strong vertical lines show the strenghts in the buildings. The framing is ideal, showing the crowdedness of the city and the height of the buildings. Quite often we ignore what is above us and focus at what is on our level, missing out on that extra perspective. This angle gives us the perspective of the city, dwarfing us amongst the buildings.
Phil Douglis16-Aug-2006 22:36
You are excused, Ai Li. Why do you think I stressed the spikes? New York welcomes it visitors, but it has become understandably fanatical about security. It is a city of walls, fences, and often barbed wire. And yes, spikes can also symbolize corporate power and all of its ugly traits. I thought the brutal purpose of those spikes contrasted strongly with the warmth and beauty of their design and surroundings.
AL16-Aug-2006 08:53
In view of these modern architecture, it reminded me of the busy New York downtown, especially its Wall Street. The pointing spikes and upward perspective seemed to tell me about the nasty corporate ladder and rat race that some of us are facing right now. If not careful, you may get back-stab, fall and hurt. Excuse me, it's not a nice thought :-(
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