Sitting on my neighbours fence which is a large classical looking fence I began to discover a number of characteristics within my neighbourhood. The fence I lent on, rather than sat, is high with a smooth cream exterior. It is detailed with dark features such as bars, spikes and lights, propped at the crown of the fence. Unlike my fence at home, this fence felt majestic and had a sense of elegance to its’ exterior. Do we judge a house much like we judge a book, from its’ cover?
This was a question that came to me whilst resting on this fence and enjoying the sights and sounds of my neighbourhood. I began to realise looking around the street that yes I did judge the house, not completely yet some what, by the sense of esteem held by the fence. The fences with special attention paid to detailing were particularly significant as important in my books and I began to value the house and the people living in the house by the varying degree of the polished nature of the fence. In saying that I also valued highly a fence that had a bit of character. One shabby fence in my neighbour which echoed a shabby yet chic house I thought was significantly cool. This fence and consequently the house that it incased implied a sense of creativity and charm, qualities that I regard in individuals.

Making this realisation that yes I do make some sort of judgement on a house and its’ residents on the character of the fence (the face of the family) I began to think about what our fence said about us. The fence of my family home is uneven, made from puckered old wood and mismatched in colour. If I saw my fence it’s safe to say I wouldn’t be impressed. Should I be aiming to express my families identity through the fence that keeps us safe. Or should a fence be a silent, protective object that in order to continue to protect, remains inconspicuous?

Either way I will continue to evaluate my family fence and update you on the progress of my thinking? What should our fence say about us and how? That is my main question to tackle.