Philosophica Geometrica Abstracta: the Beauties of Bath’s Masonic Hall II

Once the eye adjusts to the rococo display of materials and arrangements inside the main chamber at Bath’s Masonic Hall – and that will take a while as the newcomer is very easily misled by the ranks of mahogany pews, the richly-appointed oil paintings, the various coats or arms and banners which decorate the walls, even the heavy gong and leather beater in the corner – another order of shapes starts to emerge: one that is far simpler and yet much more agreeable. Basic geometrical forms and propositions begin to establish themselves. This selection of images helps to demonstrate how satisfying and soothing the arrangement of primal geometric forms can be even in a space that appears to be so heavily tricked out at first glance. It is perhaps only in a chamber such as this that you can appreciate once again the simple elegance of Pythagoras’ theorem, especially when it has been neatly inlaid into the top of a plinth which also bears the marks of candles that were lit sometime in the recent past. We are, after all, in a carefully arranged space that celebrates the building of carefully arranged spaces.

Pictured above from top to bottom: the apex of the altar above the middle of the stage; the ceiling of the main chamber; the theorem and the wax; ornamental knocker found on an interior door; harmony and stability; carpet edge in the main chamber – photographed by KH and roving shutterbug Kitty Keen: more soon.