Yesterday Michal and I went walkies after work in our new neighbourhood. We decided on a detour to check out the local commy architecture down the road. There are ugly things in life that you can shrug off or at least learn to accept. Like, for example Macquarie University buildings. Or tight white trousers on a size 16 ass. But Polish commy architecture is in a hideous world of its own. No matter how long you stare at it, no matter how many times you walk past it, live in it, see it re-painted or wonder at its holding capacity – it always remains disgusting and an eye-sore on the landscape. Plus, it holds no retro value and never will. This in itself is pretty amazing, given that ugly shit usually turns retro at some point or another. These structures litter all of Poland. And have done so since the 60s concrete slab revolution. Pity there’s not much tectonic plate activity in the area. I would welcome an earthquake.
This particular commy apartment block stands out amongst the other giants. Note its wooden decorative facade? That’s a special type of ugly. It is “posh commy” ugly. Obviously the Party was feeling generous when this little beauty was being built, and showered the some-are-more-equal-than-others citizens with a tad of architectural elitism. Love that raw timber feel!
