Favorite Places: Building 553
Nov 16th
Much has been made of the lofty scientific forays undertaken at CERN, and the lives of the people who embark on these adventures of fundamental research and discovery. But do not the spaces these scientists inhabit deserve their equal measure of fame? After all, it is the roofs of CERN that protect us from the elements, the walls of CERN that hide our secret ambitions from the malicious eyes of our competitors, the soaring atria of CERN that inspire our creativity, and the very bricks and mortar of CERN that greet our eyes, day after day after motherfucking day.
In a word, it is the architecture of CERN that shall be unveiled and adored today. And what better candidate than building 553.
This timeless structure was specially commissioned by the Director General’s office and designed by the firm Merde Bâtiments. We are reminded that while in principle every type of material has its proper place and function, there is still room for an element of surprise and playfulness. Shingles need not only sit atop roofs; corrugated fiberglass is allowed to keep the rain off our heads; peeling paint is paint with character, and gray is, quite simply, beautiful. Take a deep breath and let us take you on a virtual tour of building 553.
More mysteries of the water tower
Nov 13th
Speaking of water tower mysteries. What the Fermilab is this picture about?
Is that bolted down?
This comes from the CERN document server which is a whole world of mysteries unto itself. There is almost no context for this image, a visual non sequitur. It gets the handy keywords ‘generalities’, ‘landscape’, and ‘nature’. From the title, View of the CERN by the water tower (Calendar 2002), it seems to be for a calendar. Really? There aren’t any cute kittens or scientists willing to pose naked? When in doubt you at least can’t go wrong with 12 months of beautiful landscapes; couldn’t the photographer have held out for a view of Mt. Blanc in the background? (It’s behind that haze.) I guess not.
I found six images on the document server for this “Calendar 2002.” There are a couple photos from the dismantling of LEP and another couple of the fire brigade in action. Good hearty CERN fare. But, finally, there is also a very creepy image of a sheep. I say creepy because, though I think the sheep has just been sheared, at first glance it looks dead or prepared for slaughter. Brilliant:
CERN, it’s where scientists do mysterious things with particles and sheep go to die.
Mysteries of the water tower
Nov 9th
Dearest CERN Lovers,
Today I would like to share a few mysteries surrounding the CERN water tower that have confounded me for years, as well as partial explanations I’ve heard that sound plausible but may or may not be true. I am a seeker, always striving to know and to comprehend, so if you have heard other explanations, I invite you to share them.
- Why did CERN originally build a water tower?
An Explanation: to cool one of the experiments (heard this from a well-known physicist). - What is it used for today?
An Explanation: drinking water - Why was it painted yellow?
An Explanation: Because a bright yellow eyesore is better than a concrete-colored eyesore. - Why was it only partially painted yellow?
An Explanation: an Italian firm was taking so long to paint it and increasing their price as they went that CERN management got fed up and called it off before it was finished (heard this from a crazy person). - Why does a water tower need a viewing room at the top surrounded by windows?
No known explanation
Any help you can offer to resolve these mysteries would be much appreciated!
Sincerely,
Biglove
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