Friday 23 August 2019

The Génoise.


                                  

I've never had any instruction in 'building' techniques; I just look at something and try to imagine how it's done. Building isn't exactly brain surgery, and so far it's worked.

One of my favourite jobs in recent years was the construction of the decorative Génoise on our 'tower'. It's an essential element in local buildings, and needs to be done correctly; you'd hardly believe some of the appalling work I've seen by so-called professionals. Why they weren't made to re-do them, I cannot imagine.

Building is fun. One can build almost anything with just a weighted string, a level, a ladder, and a trowel. With that basic kit, the Pyramids were built.


This (above) is that same strip of Génoise today. I'm quite proud of it; I look at it and think "I did that".



32 comments:

  1. Brought to France by the Italians and useful as well as decorative - keeps the rain from dripping on the walls. Your tower has matured well.

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    Replies
    1. And used in the UK as well; usually made from projecting fancy brickwork.

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  2. Professionals know the tricks of the trade but they don't always take as much care. Your Genoise looks perfect.

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    1. You'd hardly believe one nearby example; it looks as if two-year-olds had been having a bad day.

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  3. I'd struggle with the cake.

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  4. I think if you're of a practical bent, and most artists are, then you can turn your hand to many things. Logic, patience and care. It looks brilliant!

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    Replies
    1. For me, it has to 'look right'; as well as being as solid as possible.

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  5. Looks better than the plastic stuff we have :)

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    Replies
    1. I try not to use any plastic, but occasionally there's no choice!

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  6. I get extremely angry with incompetent builders. The trouble is that half of them (conservative estimate) are incompetent.

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    Replies
    1. Unfortunately, it tends to be a trade they adopt if they're incapable of doing anything else. In Germany it's a serious profession, where you need proper qualifications. It should be like that everywhere!

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  7. I would like something beautiful like this here, you have every reason to be proud.

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    Replies
    1. I've done a few other bits of building, but I really took my time with this one.

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  8. It's aged beautifully. A job well done!

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    1. I'm quite critical of some of my previous work, but very happy with this one.

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  9. Replies
    1. I probably shouldn't be 'proud' of my own work; but I am.

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  10. As someone who can hardly knock a nail in straight I respectfully doff my chapeau.

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  11. I'm inspired...right, off I go to build a pyramid in the paddock:)

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    Replies
    1. Don't forget you string with a stone on one end.... essential.

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  12. A beautiful thing with a practical purpose

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    Replies
    1. Mine was just a single row, but one often sees double, or even triple, rows.

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  13. A job well done always brings pleasure.

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    Replies
    1. I suppose that's what it is; I still look at it with satisfaction.

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  14. It is a fine roof. Pyramids built with simple tools and rather a lot of slave labour. Sorry if you employed to build multi storey.

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    Replies
    1. My only slave labour was Lady Magnon; she became very adept at tile laying.

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  15. Looks fab... but I know I could never do anything like that. I don't have the patience for anything fiddly.

    Jo in Auckland

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    Replies
    1. We sometimes look at it and think that we must have been crazy.

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