An elegant tower full of fascinating details.
It was built in the 16th century while King Louis XII was reigning.
Originally the tower was part of a church but that was demolished later.
Until in 1856 the city administration decided to create a park around the "Tour Saint-Jacques".
This is why nowadays we can rest from the busy Paris life sitting on a bench and admire the "Tour St. Jacques".
One of the reflections the mind offers when seeing this marvelous tower is that in fact the tower is a demonstration of will power.
Some day in the past one person had the idea to build a tower.
Somehow that person managed to get other people enthusiastic.
And they managed to motivate enough others to get enough money together.
To get the permits, the designers and the builders.
The "Tour Saint-Jacques" therefore is a monument of determination.
Through this tower the people that were involved erecting it still say today: "We successfully believed in something".
Besides that, the "Tour Saint-Jacques" makes not much sense.
It cannot even be climbed to enjoy a view of Paris as is possible with the Eiffel Tower.
Or used to cross the Seine river like the famous bridge called "Pont Neuf".
Its sole purpose is to shine as a symbol of persistence of some people in the past.
Around the world there are many "Tour Saint-Jacques".
People who got together, focused and centered their determinations, and left us useless buildings that are impressive monuments though.
The pyramids in Egypt are a good example.
Hence we learn that it is extremely important for many people to have a purpose in life.
Besides possibly making offspring.
There must be reasons to wake up in the morning and leave the house.
There must be reasons why to feel satisfied in the evening coming home.
This is called existentialism.
Something around for as long as there are human beings but made clear for the first time by European philosophers in the nineteenth and twentieth century.
The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) is considered the father of existentialism.
He maintained that the individual has the sole responsibilities of giving one's own life meaning and living that life passionately and sincerely, in spite of many existential obstacles and distractions including despair, angst, absurdity, alienation and boredom.
El Triple constantly reminds of the "Tour Saint-Jacques".
Because living here for longer periods of time, the space and time is empty.
The days and the place always remain the same.
El Triple is a constant confrontation with Kierkegaard's opinions.
That a human being has the sole responsibility to give one's life meaning.
When living in a city surrounded by many people, it is more easy to give meaning to life.
One can become a doctor or a lawyer and people will come and ask for help.
There is a constant knocking on the door by others and helping them gives meaning to life.
As long as that emotionally and existentially works.
An artist is not a person that is able to learn a profession that serves the community in order to find meaning in life.
An artist is a creator.
To create out of nothing something that is everything.
This is the challenge of El Triple.
Every day is the confrontation with its total emptiness that needs to be filled in with something that is everything.
To achieve meaning in life.
Today is another of such a day.
El Triple is there as it always has been.
There are no appointments, meetings, responsibilities or special things to do.
What to do that makes sense and gives meaning to life?
.
1 comment:
Beautiful photos! I love seeing what you are seeing!! Best, Chris, VA
Post a Comment