JHK’s Three-Act Play
Behold the stylish wastewater treatment plan in Durand, Wisconsin, 30 miles downstream from Eau Claire on the Chippewa River. Notice the interesting placement of the historical marker billboard with the blank planes of the wall, the single window, and the decorative logo — all very Zen gardenish. Of course, the real love was lavished on the front of the building, lest anyone suspect that this is not masterpiece of the Western canon. The building within a building scheme reminds me of the creature in the original Alien movie — a head within a head. Creepy as all get out. Well, this is how its done out in the American heartland. Shout-out to Nik Novak for sending’er in. He writes: “Stately symmetrical entrance? Two sets of Greek pillars? Manicured lawn leading to traditionally conceived, regionally renowned edifice?”
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Tonight, on “Pimp My Water Treatment Plant”!
“Yo dawg, I heard you like porticos so we put a portico on your portico!”
A faux portico within a faux portico leading to a non-entrance. Compared to the porticos side, the street-facing side is work of art.
Thank goodness the money ran out before they could extend the theme to the other walls
UNCANNY! I often have nightmares that include this building. I am circling it, looking for the entrance because I need to use the restroom inside. No door is to be found. Then I wake up, just about to piss the bed.
I bet it really looks great when the box lighting is on at night! And what % is needed for art on this project.
Good example of theme park architecture with the imagineered facade leading to the processing shed.Notice the twee house worshipped inside the temple of the American dream leading to the slaughterhouse of the mortgage industry.Fun factory,sewage factory or money factory just keep the pipes hidden and plus the show.Celebration,Florida’s water treatment plant is named Camelot.Pardon me while I recall the lyrics.The Segways chase the ice cream trucks…
It’s funny! And meant to be.
Before I read the spiel on the wall I thought it was an elcheapo church, that’s what the front looks like!
the sodium vapor kleig light is what tops it off for me. And I can only wonder at the amount of toxic exhaust and green house gasses are emitted from the practice of lawn keeping.
One day, I hope at least someone will start a community garden there.
As JHK might say, a cartoon building for cartoon people. This is the kind of crap built by people who are not earnest. Basically, they don’t care. Question is, what DO they care about? What IS the object of their concern? Or, perhaps, they just don’t care about anything. Talk about nihilism.
Anybody have any idea of what that thing is at top center of the outer (bigger) entranceway facade? Looks like a blowhole. How fitting.
Folk art in what is probably a resilient community.
http://www.durand-wi.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durand,_Wisconsin
Most of these elicit something closer to tears, but this one made me LOL!