I had some time on a Sunday afternoon, campus was vacant even more than I would have expected.

Last night, I had a dream that I decided to sign up for a two month student exchange to China. I would live in a compound and only go places that my government handlers would allow. I was hoping I could still do some street photography but in my heart I knew it unlikely. In my dream-context, I did not have attachments that would prevent me from taking this leap and I was excited by the possibility. However outside of a dream-context, even real university students have attachments and (so I hear) financial constraints, so the dream of living in a Party Compound for a few months is still far off for them, too.

I think that, very often, Brutalism (as an architectural style) ages well; many of these spaces are evocative and nicely-lit. Corbusier may have been mad deluded about how great the automobile was, and he might fairly have a thousand other criticisms leveled against him (I'm no expert) but I do think the enfolding natural protective warmth of a concrete building is something special.

Universy of Calgary, February 25 2024
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