Lost in Translation
Looking for meanings in words, images and sounds
BLACK & WHITE SUNDAY: STRUCTURE
The quaint looking field structure known as kazun in Istria has been widely used in the past once as a dwelling, but most commonly as a shelter, and later on for storing agricultural tools. The changed way of life gradually made them obsolete, but their cultural and historical value is greater than it may at first appear. Most of the examples that can be seen today date back to the 18th – mid 20th century like this one that I saw in the South-West Istria. The doors on kazun are normally smaller than man’s size and usually face West. The inner diameter ranges between 1.5m-3m and the height from 1.60 to 2m.
Excerpt from a research conducted by the Institute for Historical and Social Sciences in Rijeka sheds light on the historical importance of these structures:
“…The heritage value of kazun is great; when glancing over the map of the widespread density of kazuns, it can be noticed that they are most commonly found in the South-West Istria (especially around Vodnjan), while they are scarcely found in the middle and North-West Istria. Similar round ground-planned edifices are known under different names (bunje etc.) in the middle and South Dalmatia. In Europe, this type of drywall building can be found all over Mediterranean, all the way to the British Isles and Scandinavia up North. This geographical distribution, architectural structuring and archaeological findings suggest that the origin of this type of round ground-planned edifice could be found in the dwellings and burial sites of Paleo-Mediterranean period. However, the abundance of available stone and the strong development of agriculture were basis for survival and spreading of this type of building in different European areas, as well as the formation of original examples of round stone edifices which had the role of shelters in the field. Lately, kažuns, as characteristic examples of traditional building in Istria, have had a special role when one is identifying and interpreting ethno-cultural contents.” (author: Tihana Stepinac Fabijanic)
It’s been a few weeks since the last Black & White Sunday, and I am happy that I can challenge you again with my monochrome photo challenge. Today’s theme is STRUCTURE. In my example it is a building, but considering so many possible meanings of the word, I expect to see many different entries from you. As usually, you have a week to respond. Hope you’ll have fun.
Lost in Translation 
Olá Paula, sempre a trabalhar… bom fim de semana!!!
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Boa semana para ti Paulo!
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Very interesting looking structure, Paula. Hard to imagine it as a residence but easy to see it as a shelter or for storage!
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I know. It was used by the very poor, but still. It is hard to imagine what life was like centuries ago.
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Round dwellings seem to be a very basic human design for dwellings. I’ve never seen a stone one like that before. I’ve seen them as tents and in wood. And mud. Do you wonder what happened to humans when we moved from round to square? What social and cultural change made us redesign our world with edges? It’s interesting to think about. Something must have happened. Even early European buildings were typically round towers … then … suddenly, square.
Were these building made in different sizes for different purposes? Most interesting.
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I think that earlier ones were smaller because Paleolitic humans were smaller than the modern man. Square dwellings only made room for more cobwebs, not an improvement in my view.
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In Africa people also used to say that square homes were to be avoided because the corners could be inhabited by bad spirits (as well as cobwebs).
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Thank you, Tish. I think that not just in Africa. I remembered something from Feng Shui and placing things in corners.
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Oh yes. You’re right about that. I know my house corners leave a lot to be desired 🙂
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More cobwebs and more spiders hiding their nests in corners!
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Looks like the ancient dwellings in Puglia, Italy,…..I’m off to find a structure later….
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Excellent – one more proof that they have pan-Mediterranean origin.
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😊
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Fascinating . . very similar to ones in Portugal, and their usage has changed exactly the same way
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🙂 Cheers Becky 🙂 I hope to see them too some time.
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Both naïf and touching , for me…..
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Exactly! 🙂
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Lovely! A great example of man’s addition to nature, Paula
I’ve done a quick post of a hefty structure, as dashing out for a walk. Have a good Sunday.
https://travelwithintent.com/2017/08/13/standing-on-castle-rock/
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Yes, Debbie. They used the readily available material and these look so natural. Thanks so much. xx
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Pingback: From My Window ~ Black & White Sunday – Tish Farrell
This kazan is a fascinating structure, and definitely reminds me of very ancient remains in Greece and around the Mediterranean. Apart from that, it is very arresting composition. Happy Sunday, Paula. Here are my structures: https://tishfarrell.com/2017/08/13/from-my-window-black-white-sunday/
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So glad you like the composition, Tish. My Sunday flew in a jiffy. Can’t believe my weekend is over.
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It’s horrid when weekends fly off too fast. Wishing you a good week ahead.
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Here’s a towering structure from my last vacation http://lifeinminutes.com/2017/08/13/black-white-sunday-structure/
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such an interesting structure Paula- and so perfectly set next to that tree. Here’s mine this week. Have a good week
https://dailymusing57.com/2017/08/13/black-white-sunday-structure/
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Many thanks dear Lisa. I like your Freedom tower.
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Pingback: The past can reveal the structure of the future – picturesimperfectblog
These kazuns remind me of the borries in the South of France although they are more conical and don’t have distinction between walls and roof. (Note to self: Go back there. Take a camera.) Great composition in your shot.
I thought I look for a different kind of architecture in my post. https://picturesimperfectblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/13/the-past-can-reveal-the-structure-of-the-future/
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Are you talking about these http://www.beyond.fr/sites/bories-provence-france.html ? Fascinating. Yes, we must go there too, with a camera 🙂 Thank you for showing them to me and for your sweet entry.
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Yes, sorry about the added r, it was unintentional. Many look more round hence my remark about roofs and walls: https://www.google.de/search?q=en+provence+borie&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjE5ujS_dTVAhVGWxQKHejzDvkQ_AUICigB&biw=1280&bih=860
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Vratija se Šime! I hope it was a good mental and physical rest. the image certanly conveys calmness.
https://lessywannagohome.blogspot.be/2017/08/filigree.html
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It was a great mental rest 🙂 We were in Northumberland feeling the rain 🙂
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My “structure” for today’s challenge….
http://unavistadisanfermo.wordpress.com/2017/8/13/black-and-white-SUNDAY-photography
Have a good week!
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Thank you, Anna. To you too!
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well, here’s mine, Paula: https://suejudd.com/2017/08/13/declining-structures/
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Thank you, darling. It is wonderful 🙂
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Glad you like it, Paula!
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I love its situation, under that tree. It’s a captivating image, Paula. I hope you had a peaceful Sunday. 🙂 🙂
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Thank you, Jo. My weekend passed so quickly just tiding up. Hope you are doing better now. Hugs
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I’m good, thanks. 🙂 Off to Shropshire tomorrow, and would you believe meeting Tish on Tuesday evening. How exciting is that? 🙂
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Pingback: black & white sunday: structure – meditative journey with saldage
welcome back…I’m wondering if the circular structure of these buildings were easier to build and required less resources than modern square designs?
I went with nature’s structure… https://ameditativejourney.wordpress.com/2017/08/13/black-white-sunday-structure/
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Thank you, Brenda. I would think that they were.
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Pingback: black & white sunday structur – photo roberts blog
hi paula, Interesting idea to the week theme, here is my contribution for this week http://wp.me/p2AvI7-2sP.
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Pingback: Black and White Sunday, Structure – Lucid Gypsy
Hi Paula,that’s a beautiful example of a roundhouse. Sorry I haven’t been posting lately – had my hands full of puppies! but here’s an entry for structure, https://lucidgypsy.com/2017/08/14/black-and-white-sunday-structure/
I hope you’re well my dear 🙂
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Pingback: Foundations | Mostly Monochrome
A set of foundations – the basis of structure:
https://mostlymonochrome.wordpress.com/2017/08/14/foundations/
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Pingback: Black & White Sunday Challenge: Structure – Cee's Photography
Such a wonderful photo Paula.
Here is my entry for this week
http://wp.me/p3ZTqs-6AH
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Beautiful, Paula! Here’s mine…whatever it is…http://wp.me/p1hCI2-8EU
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Pingback: Preserving an old building | Collages
Your photo of the picturesque hut inspired me to join in your challenge. . -https://wordandimagecollages.wordpress.com/2017/08/16/preserving-an-old-building/
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Thank you very much, Suzanne 🙂
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Pingback: Black and White Sunday: Structure – bushboys world
I love the Kazun. The tree gives it a special feeling
Here is my contribution Paula to Black and White Sunday
http://bushboy.blog/2017/08/16/black-and-white-sunday-structure/
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Thank you, Brian 🙂
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😀
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Pingback: Black and White Sunday: Structure – man made – bushboys world
I hope you don’t mind Paula but I have made two posts for the Black and White Sunday this time
http://bushboy.blog/2017/08/16/black-and-white-sunday-structure-man-made/
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On the contrary, B. I am thrilled and honoured. Are you completely recovered now?
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I am about 95% OK thank goodness. Thank you for thinking of me x
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Pingback: ABANDONED TRAIN STATION (for Cee’s and Paula’s Black & White Photo Challenge) – LIGHT&SHADOWS
Here is mine to join your charming kazun. It is good that the world still have these cultural legacies. https://alipatoblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/16/abandoned-train-station-for-cees-and-paulas-black-white-photo-challenge/
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Hi Paula. First time that I’ve been here. Cee inspired me to make my offerings. I’ve just recently become a new fan of B/W photography. https://odaciuk.wordpress.com/2017/08/16/black-white-sunday-structure/
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Hello Paula! I hope you and yours are well. Here is my addition to this challenge: https://daffodilhillphotography.com/2017/08/16/black-white-sunday-structure/ Peace~ John
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