Ever since my art teacher in school handed me a book depicting this picture by M. C. Escher, and a mirror ball, and told me to get busy, I have been a huge fan of his work. He is by far my favourite graphic artist of all time.
Recently I came across these pictures on the net, of a stepwell situated in the village Abhaneri near Jaipur in Indian state of Rajasthan.
I was absolutely gob smacked and was instantly reminded of Escher’s work
This is one of the deepest and largest stepwells in India. It was built in 9th century, has 3500 narrow steps and is 13 storeys and 100 feet deep.
I wonder if Escher knew of this place.
Apparently the arid climate forced the locals to dig deep for a dependable water source, one that would last throughout an entire year.
As amazing as this structure is, I wouldn't be too enthusiastic about drinking out of that well.
Still from the 2006 film The Fall
Photos of the Chand Baori well from http://www.moolf.com/interesting/the-deepest-step-well-in-the-world.html
Fascinating! I have loved Escher since art school too... sometimes I feel like I am going and coming in all those directions. What a great find on the web. An incredible structure... what labor!! Thanks for the introduction I am inspired to find out more. ;>)
ReplyDeleteDear Sunny, Having spent many happy hours as a child completing, or trying to complete, Escher jigsaw puzzles, I found this account fascinating. I should love to see the stepwell in reality although, like you, drinking the water may not be my chosen activity!!
ReplyDeleteYou planning on building a step well!?!
ReplyDeletehaa ha, who knows! never say never ;)
ReplyDeletewow, this place is really impressive - the stairs alone are amazing...truely escher like - how amazing is that to see one in real life
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing this special place to us :)
Sunny - this is such a cool post! I caught it on Facebook 1st, but wanted to say 'hey' and thank you for sharing this amazing architecture. This structure has been neglected as a 'wonder of the world'....
ReplyDeleteTwo of those prints hang on our walls. I remember first seeing his work at the National Gallery in Cape Town when I was a science student. The one I remember there was a reflection in a small puddle on the forest floor.
ReplyDeleteSunny, I'm another Escher fan. Thanks for sharing the Indian site with us. -Jean
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh, is that real?!
ReplyDeleteFantastic. We have taken similar pictures of a water tank in Hampi.
ReplyDeleteWow, didn't know there was such a "thing", AMAZING.
ReplyDeleteLene
Do not remember what the subject was of the commercial but the line - "How far would you go for a__________" - came to mind whenI read that they dug, dug, dug for water.
ReplyDeleteI almost get dizzy just looking at the picture and wonder if anyone ever lost their balance.
The percison in the pattern is amazing, and yes, it certainly looks like an Escher.
The well is exquisite!I love how beautiful (lly) they made the utilitarian task of fetching water become a meditation that speaks to us hundreds of years later.
ReplyDeleteWhat builders our species are, always one of our best traits -- good to remember when our bad traits seem to have the upper hand. This is a lovely place, thank you.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved M. C. Escher
ReplyDeleteI do not think I have read anything like this before. So good to find somebody with some original thoughts on this subject. Thanks for starting this up. This blog is something that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality.
ReplyDeleteNice idea although I'd have thought it would have been known long ago if Escher had had these kinds of influences in his work. I'm not really sure he ever based his work on specific pieces of architecture .
ReplyDeleteWow! It looks fantastic. I wish I knew how to do all that! thanks for sharing.I am your newest follower. Visiting from SNS linky. Hope you can visit me sometime.
ReplyDeleteglass and stone mosaic