The Metal Tubs of Cortez—1
February 8, 2016
On March 9, 2014, I posted the first in a series of photographs of the metal tubs of Cortez. The series picked up again March 4 of last year and continued for the next three days. This January 24 I continued my love affair with these objects that are becoming more rare. I will show you the photographs from this most recent trip to Cortez today and over the next 10 days. I’m sure that what makes the tubs so attractive to me—the way they dent and crumple and scratch up—is the same vulnerability that contributes to their discontinuance by the fish-packing plant. That and their presumed cost compared to plastic. I’m sure the plastic tubs don’t require so much handwork: Over the next few days you’ll see their individually welded seams and the name of the packing plant, A. P. Bell, written in metal on them. Especially when the sun ricochets off the surfaces of the metal tubs, leaving intriguing shadows in its wake, or when the tubs reflect the blue sky above them—well, by me at least—they can be counted among the beautiful aspects of this material world.
Romancing Reality 
Badass images!
LikeLike
February 8, 2016 at 6:31 AM
Thanks, Barry. At least I think thanks. Don’t say badass myself too often. But the Urban Dictionary has this to say: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=badass, so I think you like these.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 8, 2016 at 11:15 AM
This has been a great series. Welcome back. The cosmic tubs of Cortez!
LikeLike
February 8, 2016 at 10:49 AM
Thank you, Ken. I’m glad to be back. I really wanted to parcel these out one by one, but was afraid I’d loose the interest of most people if they went on for a month. I hope at least some of the tubs are still there when I go to Cortez again.
LikeLike
February 8, 2016 at 11:17 AM
really interesting surfaces.
LikeLike
February 8, 2016 at 6:50 PM
Glad you like them, Leslie. There are more.
LikeLike
February 8, 2016 at 8:00 PM
Was this before I found and followed you? Maybe, because I don’t see a like or comment from me…and I LOVE these! Also love your text.
LikeLike
March 12, 2018 at 3:16 PM
Maybe so, Lynn, or maybe you just missed this one. So glad you love these and the text. It must have been very sunny the day I took these.
LikeLike
March 12, 2018 at 3:22 PM
I see I posted a comment prior to this date, so I must have just missed these. I’m glad you linked back to them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 12, 2018 at 3:18 PM