I truly can't conceive of a world without 99% Invisible. So much of what passes for knowledge held within the confines of my brain has been uploaded to it from this peerless podcast. Take the episode I heard earlier today: who knew that Japanese manhole covers were works of art in their own right? If you have a spare thirty minutes then let Roman Mars tell you how he first discovered them.
These circular steel covers that keep us separated from the effluent below are all majestic installations that would not be out of place in major galleries the world over. Indeed, if anyone reading this has visited the Land of the Rising Sun and has examples on their photo roll please feel free to share them.
I have visited Japan but no manhole cover photos I'm afraid. I did not want to go too close in case a ninja jumped out at me.
ReplyDeletePanic thee not, Ernie. The Number One Son is going over next year: I've asked him to keep 'em peeled.
DeleteAlso, my friend Matthew has just told me he'll be swinging by Japan next year when he pulls in Oz as part of his 2025 world tour. Give it six months and I should be basking in manhole covers.
DeleteWow, these are wonderful. I'd love to seem them here but have this horrible feeling they'd just be nicked and sold on by unscrupulous shitbags (- is there any other kind?). I do have a friend who visited Japan earlier in the year so I shall certainly be asking about these now. And hope to see more from your Number One Son's trip too.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean: file under 'Why we can't have nice things'.
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