Desktops
love locks

Love Locks

While in Seoul last time I had the chance to go see the notorious collection of padlocks collected along an observetory fence at Namsan Tower. These padlocks are locked to the fence, often with a short message, as a binding symbol of love between two people. They key is often trown away to seal the deal. From what the collective mindset at Wikipedia can tell me the idea was born in China and has since spread to numerous spots around the world. Thousands of locks all pilled up over the years and it was pretty amazing to see such a sight if not once at least.

I know things slowed down around here this past week or two but I have not been sitting on my hands. I have been working morning to night for two straight weeks running and next week is looking just as busy. For those that don’t know this is live audio work that I refer to. I can’t remember the last time I went this long without having a break. It’s making it hard to get this new design up and going! I hate doing it but it looks like I will have to push it back a little longer. Despite the busy schedule I did want to come on, say hello, and share a new image with everyone. I’ll do my best to get more up this week as well for your thirsty eyes.

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Comments

  1. thedoo - August 7, 2011 at 3:52 am

    lovely.

  2. Mika - August 7, 2011 at 5:12 am

    In Florence, locks are put on Ponte Vecchio for when the person is leaving their home, Florence, but for an extended amount of time (not a vacation).

  3. Carsten B. - August 7, 2011 at 7:31 am

    They do that in Cologne as well. You see the lovelocks when you go over Hohenzollernbrücke by train.

  4. Matt - August 7, 2011 at 9:33 pm

    I wanted to second Carsten, I came across love locks while studying in Germany and visiting Köln. It is incredibly beautiful to see them, and I was told the practice there is for lovers to toss the key off the bridge into the Rhine River so the lock would not be able to be removed, like their love. Our tour guide then asked us how we thought you could tell an insecure man. The answer was someone who bought a lock with multiple keys, and kept one to himself.

    Here’s a photograph I took there: http://cl.ly/0s303x0J2i1C0j291A34

    And the other side of the bridge had even more locks.

  5. Michael - August 8, 2011 at 8:26 pm

    Very good work :)

  6. Florian Aupetit - August 15, 2011 at 7:38 pm

    Love all your photograph but this one is awesome.
    Thank you so much to share your work :)

  7. sunhead* - August 16, 2011 at 4:48 am

    geez louise famous career man, nice one, glad to see you are coming up for air. hope you make it.

  8. Florian Aupetit - August 16, 2011 at 9:31 pm

    Here is a photograph I took at Paris today:

    http://uppix.3dvf.com/images/loveclwtw.jpg

    It’s just behind Notre Dame de Paris.

  9. Kara Curtis - August 18, 2011 at 1:33 am

    Missed you the other night, but glad you have lots of work coming your way.

    I’d never heard of love locks until I saw this video, which I watched because Darah and I were discussing it at Val’s. And then here is the concept again with your love-ly photo and info. Interesting!
    http://www.designsponge.com/2011/08/elopement-in-paris.html

    Good luck with everything on your plate. And as always, thanks for sharing all your amazing work!

  10. John carey - August 18, 2011 at 1:14 pm

    I really love that you guys shared your own stories and sitting of these kind of locks, really wonderful and unexpected. Thanks so much for sharing.e

  11. Debbie - August 20, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    Awesome Lovelock photos! We would like permission to use your photos on our website. We would be honored actually…please let us know. Lovelocks ROCK!

    Thanks Debbie

  12. john - August 25, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    Hello? I am korean. I was surprised to see this photo.
    Seoul is seen from a stranger’s eyes It’s so beautiful.
    It’s so nice photo!!

  13. Personel alımları - August 27, 2011 at 9:34 am

    ahah a.. very nice photo ıts professional..

  14. While finding inspiration… « 長い散歩 - November 28, 2011 at 4:00 pm

    […] a link to the photo I use as my current wallpaper: https://fiftyfootshadows.net/2011/08/07/love-locks/ Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. Tagged korean culture, […]

  15. Ain't Life Grand - December 11, 2011 at 12:34 pm

    […] I also came across a bridge with hundreds of locks fastened to the railings; if it wasn’t for 50ft Shadows explanation of Love Locks I wouldn’t have known what they were for. It was strange to stubble […]

  16. kyle - December 11, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    Amazing photo as always.

    I stumbled across a bridge in Paris which was also covered in locks ( photo on this post http://aintlifegrand.me/index.php/2011/12/time-in-paris/ ) and if it wasn’t for this I wouldn’t have had any idea what it was.

    It was an amazing sight. Such a beautiful idea.

  17. kaan - January 29, 2012 at 8:08 pm

    Love theemm

  18. kerem yıldız - January 29, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    god photoss

  19. xaero212 - January 6, 2013 at 9:56 am

    Such a lovely idea. These locks are wonderful ;)

  20. ILY - February 16, 2013 at 10:49 am

    Thanks so much for these photos!! There are absolutely wonderful.

  21. Skorsky - December 21, 2014 at 10:43 am

    Must admit that my wife and I were guilty of partaking in the “Love Lock” phenomenon in Cologne. Having said that, I think a great idea would be for a number of large metal sculptures of reclined embracing couples which could be placed strategically around European cities (and elsewhere) would be the best alternative and add to the romanticism. A locked “drop box” could be provided at each location for keys, which would then regularly be emptied and eventually be melted down to provide for the next sculpture. Just a thought…

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