Views of Croome

Croome is an eighteenth century country house in Worcestershire. It is now in the care of the National Trust and one of the most visited of that organisation's properties. The builders of mansions like Croome invariably spent more money on the main elevation of the house (usually the south-facing front) and less on the elevation that had more utilitarian uses (usually the north front). At Croome the north elevation (shown above) could be mistaken for the most imposing south front (shown below). Perhaps this is because this is the visitor's first view as the road winds its way to the building.

 However, once the south elevation, with its portico, comes into view it is clear which is which. Lancelot "Capability" Brown was responsible for the landscaping around Croome. He widened the Croome River at a couple of points to make it more like a lake against which the house could be seen.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

I Am Archive

I Am Archive is an installation designed by an architectural practice in one of the rooms at Croome Court, a Georgian mansion in Worcestershire owned by the National Trust. The designers say that "the tower visually links the ground floor exhibitions with the top floor offices and archive storage, and celebrates the direct relationship between events at Croome and it's (sic) historic archive." The visitor sees a structure that incorporates numerous box files and hears "abstracted recorded voices taken from Croome’s archive (which) gives the sculpture a voice and encourages a more intimate connection with the visitor". My photograph shows part of the "immersive infinity effect" which many people don't notice because they don't look directly above their head.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300