Abstracted

When I travel, I like to take pictures of abandoned buildings. Often, the window panes can take on a look of abstract art. In this case, the building here in Downey's industrial district isn't really abandoned. But the effect is still there.

"There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality."
~ Pablo Picasso

The price you pay

This window, framed with bougainvillea and roses, caught my eye the other day. I thought, how pretty the view out that window is going to be when the bougainvillea is in full bloom.

It's also going to be the safest window in the neighborhood. Bougainvillea is sometimes planted as a security feature. Between the rose thorns and the long bougainvillea thorns, no one is likely to try to pass this way!

"The most beautiful flowers have the sharpest thorns."
~ Samantha Goodwin

Stained-glass windows

This house, with its multitude of stained-glass windows, is always fun to walk by. Of course, it's more beautiful when lit up from inside at night, but that's not when I happened to have my camera handy.

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."
~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Broken windows

The "broken windows" theory holds that if a city doesn’t fix its broken windows and graffiti, the environment will continue to descend into crime, chaos and violence. So the appearance of a lot of broken windows recently was a little discouraging to me.

But in spite of that, urban decay like this holds a powerful draw to a photographer, with its opportunity to discover something of beauty in the midst of the decay. We've explored this idea before, in the old Rancho Los Amigos buildings (here and here).

So, today, here's what drew me in. Tomorrow, I'll show you more of the decay, along with the location.

Yonder window

Windows hold an inherent mystery for me. I always wonder what is behind them.

I have used this house in a post before and I really like this view of one of the windows. The tree frames it so nicely.

Frosted lines

In the right light, anything can take on an interesting new look.

brrrrrrrrrrrr

Windows and doors

Do you remember how you drew houses when you were a child? The windows always appeared like a couple of eyes, unrealistically high on the wall. This building in Downey's industrial area reminded me of a kid's drawing. Are the windows too high? Or are the doors too short?

Urban decay

I am so drawn to Rancho Los Amigos. There is history here and mystery too. I heard it aptly described this past week as urban decay. It is accurate, but it seems so odd because it is right here, in Downey, middle class America.

It feels like such a waste. It was once this thriving city within a city. Hundreds of polio patients were treated and housed here. Now, it is empty, silent and fenced off. There are acres of abandoned buildings falling apart as we look on. I read stories of asbestos and other improper building materials. I'm not sure what the resolve will eventually be, but it feels like it is dying right in front of us.

From the inside

We've posted quite a few pictures taken at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a beautiful Catholic parish built in 1909. Yesterday, I happened to pass by when the front doors were open. I stopped and met Father Joseph, who welcomed me to take some pictures inside as soon as Mass ended.

The inside was as beautiful and peaceful as the outside. What I was most curious about was what the large circular stained glass window in the front looked like from the inside. (Click here to see the window from the outside.) I was disappointed to find that, at least with yesterday's overcast skies, no light at all shone through from that side. Instead, these windows on the side walls were nicely lit.

Parking old and new

From the top of Downey's newest downtown parking structure, next to Porto's Bakery, you can watch a Porto's employee walk upstairs to take a break, or you can see the reflections of the parked cars and of Downey's oldest downtown parking structure in the background.

My, how downtown Downey is growing!

Stained glass

I often pass the First Presbyterian Church of Downey. With its large entryway, many archways, and bell tower, it's a very appealing building. I like these stained glass windows from the outside — I can only imagine how beautiful they are from the inside.

I know the church has been there for a long time, but the only date information I could find is on the bell here. McShane Bell Foundry has been making church bells since 1856. This one was made in 1890.

A view of the Mediterranean

The Greek festival last month introduced my daughter to lamb, so tonight we went to the Opa Cafe for another taste of that Greek specialty. (Click here for more about the Greek festival.)

The Opa Cafe has great food, reasonable prices, friendly service, and no crowds (it was a week night). But what I really liked was the view out the many "windows" that surround the dining area. Oh, and the poster personally autographed by Nia Vardalos.

Talk about a picture window

I love reflections. I noticed this one just the other day. It's especially fun because I like both of the houses (the reflector and the reflectee?) I'm sure you know what I mean.

Church windows

I love the architecture of this church. Built in 1931, inspired by St. Francis Assisi Church in Italy, it has such a sense of history and grace. It is the same church that has the garden area and statue in a previous post.