Grotesque
Yes, really. That's the name of this (mischievous) type of neo-gothic sculpture who adorns the Parliament buildings. This particular fellow actually is 42 inches (105 cm) tall and lives on the southeast corner of the exterior of the Peace Tower.
And remember when I mentioned the Carillon in yesterday's post? Well here's a wee bit more info about this unusual percussion instrument of tower bells (53 of them) that covers 4 1/2 octaves and weighs 66 tonnes. "The carailloner brings the bells to life by bringing down the large keys with partially closed hands and by depressing the pedals with the feet. Each clapper, pulled by a steel wire, strikes the interior of the bell with just the force giveb to the key. The performer may then play as expressively as a pianist."
Well that definitely sounds more appealing than the image I had conjured up in my mind!
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1 comment:
My wife and I like the grotesque period of architecture and design. We have dining room chairs (made in Vienna in the 1860's) with grotesque figures carved in wood on each end of the top of the backs, and grotesque figures carved in the leather seats and backs. They are spooky.
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