This was published 3 years ago
Thomassons: keep your eyes open and you might spot one
The term Thomassons refers to a useless structure, piece of architecture or relic that has been preserved and has become a piece of art in its own way. Sydney is full of them.
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Urban vestiges that serve absolutely no purpose have a name. They're called "Thomassons". Vanessa Berry with bricked up windows on Hickson Road. There are even steel bars to protect one of the bricked up doorways.Credit:Steven Siewert
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An old barge station under Sydney Harbour Bridge. The term "Thomasson" was coined by Japanese artist Genpei Akasegawa. In 1972 Akasegawa came across a lone staircase that had no door at the top. But then he noticed something even stranger: the railing had recently been fixed.Credit:Steven Siewert
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The incomplete Maldon to Dombarton rail bridge near Picton. Why Thomasson? It comes from the professional baseball player Gary Thomasson, signed by Japan’s Yomiuri Giants for a vast amount of money but who then spent his last two seasons in 1981-82 near to setting a league strikeout record before being benched.Credit:Nick Moir
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Unused steps from nowhere to nowhere along The Hungry Mile, Hickson Road, The Rocks. Artist Genpei considered Thomasson’s redundant team position as a fitting analogy for “an object, part of a building, that was maintained in good condition, but with no purpose, to the point of becoming a work of art”.Credit:Steven Siewert
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There are some 20 different categories of Thomasson. The Devouring Tree is defined as a tree that absorbs part of a fence or wire while still growing, such as this one in Clemton Park.Credit:Steven Siewert
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Then there's the Useless Doorway, such as this elevated one to nowhere at Callan Park.Credit:Steven Siewert
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The Atago is an object sticking out at the side of the road, with no clear purpose, such as this bollard in Summer Hill.Credit:Steven Siewert
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The Uyama is a sign or hoarding with letters missing, such as this example at Callan Park.Credit:Steven Siewert
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The Boundary is described as a guardrail, fence or wall whose purpose is not immediately clear, such as this old fence with useless signage at Old Coal Loader, Waverton.Credit:Steven Siewert
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The Outie is a protuberance from a sealed up wall, such as a door knob or tap. This old pipe is not connected to anything and protrudes from a wall along Hickson Road, The Rocks.Credit:Steven Siewert
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Disused public toilets at Macquarie Place Park near Circular Quay.Credit:Steven Siewert
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A horse water trough in Botany.Credit:Steven Siewert
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An old bridge near White Bay.Credit:Steven Siewert
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Sections of the old abandoned Princes Highway near Waterfall.Credit:Nick Moir
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The ferry between Lugarno and Illawong closed in 1974, but the ferry ramp remains where the ferry would slide onto shore for people and vehicles to board.Credit:Nick Moir
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A mysterious building opposite Pier 1.Credit:Steven Siewert
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An old bank depository drop-off box in Sydney.Credit:Steven Siewert
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A mystery small brick wall in Greenwich.Credit:Steven Siewert
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A small building in Callan Park, which looks like an outdoor toilet.Credit:Steven Siewert
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An old piece of machinery on a wall at Old Coal Loader, Waverton.Credit:Steven Siewert