FES TANNERIES
The tanneries in Fes, Morocco are of course world famous.
Animal hides are tanned and colored in large vats. All of the dyes are natural. Saffron is yellow. Mint is used for green. Poppies for red. Indigo for blue. Etc.
All the work is done by hand. And from the descriptions that we were given, the job of tanning the animal hides is relatively well paid and respected.
Can the tannery vats be a parti for a building? My drawing at least asks this question. And my drawing then asks other questions. Could the orbs of color become a realm in which we walk and interact around? Would the color orbs be open to the sky? Could the orbs have their color based on what tint of the fluid that filled them?
I drew the drawing above the morning after seeing and photographing the tanneries. In my drawing, I exaggerated the verticality of the forms. And I tried to make each of the dyes in the vats colorful.
This made me think of Steven Holl’s chapel in Seattle….bottles of color.
Matt. I just realized that there is a reply button to anyone who posts to the blog. It’s difficult to teach an old guy like me new tricks. Thanks for your thoughtful input. We visited St. Ignatious awhile ago and the experience remains with me. Trusting all is well. Thanks again. K.