Color

This week many students and teachers are away on class trips, (to exciting places like London and Prague.  Wish I could've gone too!) so today I didn't go into school.  Instead, I decided to take a trip half an hour northwards to Celle (pronounced Zella) since the weather was nice.  Celle wasn't destroyed during WWII and therefore it has a very well regarded Altstadt (old town) full of old half-timbered houses.

While I was at the Bomann Museum there, I was reminded yet again how much I enjoy some of the older crafts and folk art that are so colorful.  Though I like sleek lines and minimalism too, there's also something that feels so much more personalized and special when there is extra carving or molding added. I think it's because you can sense the human touch and the desire for creativity.  I can imagine how many hours the women spent on the colorful embroidery for their dresses, and I'm sure they would have wanted to make something quality if they were to put so much time into it.  However, the added extra is usually when there is color applied and the piece takes on an added brightness.  For example, there are these carved wooden things which have something to do with pressing clothes before irons I think.  And this chair.  Were I to decorate my own house, I don't think either of these would make the cut, but I think the general principle is nice.
I also love decorated books, from illustrations to illuminated manuscripts.  Like this one!

15th cent. Bible from the Netherlands

Notice all the accent colors (click to see better)

The buildings in Celle were really neat!  Some had a general white and brown color scheme, but then they'd add color in the details.  Many modern German houses today are very smooth, with plaster fronts I think rather than plastic/aluminum siding or brick, but many are at least painted brighter colors that aren't always seen in the US - like pink and orange.  And this isn't limited to Germany - I remember seeing beautifully painted churches in Krakow.

The Hoppener House is probably the most well known house in
Celle because of all of its intricate details.

I think crafts are making a rebound today because there is something special about creating your own unique objects, rather than just buying them.  As for me, my desires for being crafty have never actually materialized into doing anything like knitting or sewing, but it's one of those things that is on my some day list.  However, if anything, I think it's good to remember how much happiness color can bring.

I have a preference for yellow houses :)

In other news, I'm getting much more settled here. Hopefully I will figure out my regular routine soon once all the teachers get back, but in general I'm getting to know the city and school better and I'm moving to my apartment this weekend, so I'm looking forward to settling in even more.


(Note: More photos of Celle will eventually appear on my photoblog.)