Bridges

Listening to the song Walk me to the Bridge by one of my favorite bands, the Manic Street Preachers, I realized what a brilliant theme bridges make. Apart from the most obvious reference, which according to Webster’s Dictionary is “a structure carrying a pathway or a roadway over an obstacle”, Bridges is also the last name of Jeff, one of the best male actors in film. Moreover some of the greatest songs are about bridges: Bridge over troubled water by Art & Garfunkel, Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers. However, I’m not so sure that I’m fond of the game bridge. In fact I don’t know, since I’ve never played it.

A rugged but beautiful bridge in Gothenburg is Älvsborgsbron. It’s crazy scary crossing it by foot or with a bike, because even if there is a rail separating the car lanes from the pedestrian lane the traffic is so incredibly close and unbelievably loud that I’m always convinced that I’m going to be hit. Additionally, when there are strong winds you can actually feel the bridge moving! Nevertheless it’s definitely worth crossing it, especially if you have the opportunity to stop and admire the view. It’s breathtaking. Yesterday I biked home after having visited a friend, and I had no choice but to stop on the bridge and take some pictures.

The other bridge that I cross everyday going to work is Göta Älv-bron. It’s not as charmingly dangerous as Älvsborgsbron, but keeps a more low profile. Yet you have a gorgeous view of the city from this bridge too. (FIY all of you having English as your first language: bro is the Swedish word for bridge. Bron means the bridge. Just a quick linguistic lesson, haha.)

Stretching across the Atlantic Ocean, we find two of the most spectacular bridges: the Brooklyn Bridge in NYC and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. I’m just so fascinated and amazed with the complexity and magnificence of these bridges, relentlessly carrying so many vehicles and people from one point to another day after day.

Returning to Webster’s Dictionary, a second definition of bridge could be “a time, place or means of connection or transition”. And this is where we get philosophical.... :) Nicky Wire, a member of the Manic Street Preachers, explains it exquisitely in an article by The Quietus. They’re talking about the previously mentioned song Walk me to the Bridge, and many people think it’s about their lost band member Richey Edwards who disappeared near the Severn Bridge in Wales almost 20 years ago. Says Nicky: '"But it's not specifically about Richey. It's much more about that out-of-body experience where you leave, you get on a bridge, and you arrive somewhere else and your mindset just completely changes." This is the more prevalent narrative of the whole album: not just the power of art – in this case architecture – to change your perspective, but the singularity of places, the secrets contained in every town, every city and the way they can inspire you.' (Find the full interview here.)

He absolutely hits the nail in the head. A bridge might be just a bridge, a steel construction made by men, but it’s also a stunning metaphor for traveling mentally from one point to another. You might begin your journey being a bit narrow-minded, but having crossed the bridge you arrive on a completely different point of view, having a whole new outlook on life and suddenly realizing things that previously have been a secret to you. That's something to think about the next time you are crossing a bridge!