An attempt at exhausting a place in Paris by Georges Perec
Artwork by Zoha Zahraee
An attempt at exhausting a place in paris by Georges Perec
An attempt at exhausting a place in paris by Georges Perec
Image 1
In this drawing, a series of closely packed Parisian-style buildings is depicted with repetitive facades and windows. The monotony of the structures is interrupted by a few red curtains, subtly breaking the uniformity. This image directly mirrors Perec's fascination with the mundane yet distinctive characteristics of city life. In his writing, Perec draws attention to seemingly trivial occurrences such as the flickering of lights, the opening of windows, and the brief movement of curtains. He notes, “Buses, people passing by, lights turning on and off, curtains that briefly open.” Thered curtains in the drawing reflect this spirit, emphasizing the beauty found in everyday patterns and the slight variations that bring a place to life.
Image 2
The second image captures a partially eroded building standing in isolation. This piece illustrates the slow disintegration of architecture over time, symbolizing the inevitable wear and decay that cities undergo. Perec, too, contemplates the gradual dissolution of structures, remarking that some buildings appear incomplete or as if time has partially erased them. He writes, “Some buildings seem to only partially exist... as if a piece of time has been carved away from them.” The drawing of the crumbling structure reflects this theme, portraying a site that appears frozen in a state of partial ruin, much like Perec's reflections on urban impermanence.
The second image captures a partially eroded building standing in isolation. This piece illustrates the slow disintegration of architecture over time, symbolizing the inevitable wear and decay that cities undergo. Perec, too, contemplates the gradual dissolution of structures, remarking that some buildings appear incomplete or as if time has partially erased them. He writes, “Some buildings seem to only partially exist... as if a piece of time has been carved away from them.” The drawing of the crumbling structure reflects this theme, portraying a site that appears frozen in a state of partial ruin, much like Perec's reflections on urban impermanence.
Image 3
In this illustration, a dome rises against a background of vertical lines that resemble falling rain. This work visually represents Perec's meditations on how environmental conditions shape and distort our perception of a place. In his writing, Perec describes how rain alters the cityscape, writing, “The rain begins, the lights grow stronger, and buildings seem stretched, like a picture from another era.” The cascading lines in the drawing not only convey a sense of movement but also reflect the transient nature of architectural forms under the influence of weather, echoing Perec's interest in observing how familiar places subtly shift over time.
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