They ignore you with their cold exterior yet they intrigue you with their artistry. Though they nurture your security, they still manage to be beautiful. When I happened upon the doors of Nerja I was just trying to escape the boring scenery of the nearby village of Torrox Costa. When the terrorism of tourism became too much to bare, I ran for the hills, and near those hills I found myself in the heart of a bustling city.
Function over beauty is what most Americans strive for. Does the door open? Does it keep the cold out and the warm in? Does it keep intruders at a distance, or can it accompany your Shloman Shield TM? Well if holds all of these characteristics then that is as far as most take it. Some might even dress it in designer wood, or glass to keep up with the Jones, but the doors of Nerja are not just merely to impress they are a symbol of centuries past. And because Andalusia is known for its wrought iron and wood works, it is a part of their future.
The artistry runs the gambit from simple to elegant, fearsome to awe inspiring. The inhabitants of the ornate buildings do not even match their beauty-- natives and tourist schlepping about it flip flops and t-shirt--and yet the buildings retained their majestic integrity. And though one might get caught up in the activities of Nerja--low cost leather on sale, paella for only 6,95 euros-- a glance from the corner of your eye is enough to catch your attention.
The wrought iron details can be translated into everything from door handles, to lighting fixtures. And though most don’t think to match their interiors with their exteriors, the art of Andulusia might just be the solution to combine security with beauty.
*Originally Posted on Word on the Street 7/11/06
Labels: Decor
0 Responses to “Decor: Doors of Nerja”
Post a Comment