Significant Yellow Items: #2021.Y001 & #2021.Y002

 

Item: #2021.Y001, Central Leicester, January 2021

• A pair of closely-related golden portals, separated by a few scant metres, within the same parade of commercial frontages.

• In each case, a palpable air of intrigue is generated, despite the presence of specific clues to the current (or intended) function of the spaces within.

• Such clues can also be read as signifiers of frustrated (or deferred) intention, and active change of use, respectively.

• Both items incorporate textual elements of particular interest - primarily:

1. An Admirably Literal Descriptor (Item: #2021.Y001):  Note how the almost total objectivity of this legend is undercut only in respect of kerning.
2. Phantom Graphics - Relating to Previous Function (Item: #2021.Y002): Whilst the city evinces many such palimpsests, it is unusual to witness one of such chromatic intensity.  What might the failure or disinclination to adjust the colouration of the frontage suggest, regarding short-term planning or opportunistic investment?

• Whilst Items: #2021.Y001 & #2021.Y002 occupy separate physical premises [1.], the correspondence between their shared colour palette is so fortunate as to appear planned [2 & 3.].  In each case, uncompromising fields of saturated, primary yellow (possibly cadmium-derived?) act against cool neutrals and accents of reprographic cyan [4.].  Such juxtaposition might, in other circumstances, evoke vibrant energisation.  However, in current, interlocking contexts, the effect is rather one of despondency or tawdriness (or indicative of misplaced design decisions?) [5.].

Item: #2021.Y002, Central Leicester, January 2021

• The issue of inversion is particularly relevant - notably, in the following respects:

1. Chromatic:  In Item: #2021.Y001 a vivid yellow door radiates from within darker, neutrally-coloured surroundings.  This situation is reversed in Item: #2021.Y002.
2. Geometric:  The overall composition of Item: #2021.Y001 plays out within a landscape format.  The door and associated surround are the only major vertically-orientated elements, within a wider framework of horizontally-inclined rectangular fields (certain small graphic elements being the only exception to this organisational principle).  In the case of Item: #2021.Y002, the overall orientation of the rectangular main components is vertical.  Here, a variety of subsidiary horizontal counterpoints can be found within: upper fan-light glazing and associated, vestigial signage framework (incomplete/damaged), letterbox and associated glazing bar, and respective individual window graphics and doorbell/intercom labels - to left and right of door (see also below).  Notably, each of the latter two categories are themselves organised within vertically-inclined boundaries.
3. Occupancy:  Item: #2021.Y001 appears to be vacant and inoperative, being essentially in a state of either redundancy, or deferred occupation.  Both sets of premises comprising Item: #2021.Y002 exhibit overt or implied evidence of at least partial occupancy.
4. Function:  The overall presentation of Item: #2021.Y001, and certain textual clues displayed within it, indicate its intended function within the hospitality/recreation sectors of the economy.  An associated sense of frustration and/or negation is consequently inevitable, within the current context.  Item: #2021.Y002 reveals a dual purpose - split between the domestic and employment related.  The separation between these two modes of activity plays out in the mirrored sequences of temporary-employment vacancy notifications, and resident idents, mentioned above.  Might they also be reunited around the problematic relationship between precarious employment, and the need to meet regular rent payments?

[1.]:  In the case of Item: #2021.Y002, the cyan features are technically applied to the neighbouring premises (see also below).  However, as these documentary images reveal, the overall visual relationship vastly outweighs any such technical considerations.

[2.]:  A coincidental conversation - conducted whilst documenting these items, suggests shared ownership of both enterprises comprised within Item: #2021.Y002.  Whether or not this relationship extends to Item #2021.Y001, remains unconfirmed.

[3.]:  The relationship between chance and intention (within the urban context, and beyond), is a subject whose parameters extend beyond the scope of this post.

[4.]:  Likewise: the relationship between the physically manifested and mechanically-reproduced aspects of the visual city. 

[5.]:  How often are the dual (contradictory) expressive functions of yellow witnessed within the urban environment?