ENTRANCE

 Post 102 -  by Gautam Shah 

.

.

Entrance to cave no. 19 in Ajanta Caves complex, India Wikipedia Image by Marcin Białek

An Entrance is associated with the presence of a door or gate, and it is a point of arrival or departure. The entrance, however as a place has much wider significance, of the associated intermediate entities, like the verandah, porch, courtyard, vestibule, lobby, hall, foyer, archway, arch, porte-cochere (a carriage entrance passing through a building to an enclosed courtyard), vomitory (an entrance to an amphitheater or stadium), etc. 

An entrance is a recognition that there is an enclosure (place), and one needs the privilege (of entering), and the opportunity (structured facility) to do so. The enclosure is a finite spatial entity, the privilege derives from the purpose and familiarity, whereas the opportunities facilitate the process of transition. With entrance one begins to socialize with the residents of the abode.

The entrance to Dartmoor Prison wikipedia image by Brian Henley

The entrance is a point of connection, introduction, incursion, intrusion, penetration or admission, but always overflowing with possibilities. It is a point of coming of the good or evil, friend or enemy, known or unknown, invited and uninvited. It is a place of fears, doubts and dangers as well as hope, fulfillment and safety.  Entrance is also an exit, as often both co-exist in space as same or parallel entities. Entrance is associated with excitement, expectations and surprise, whereas an exit is an escape to freedom, disappointment, a desired or enforced change. Entrances are made bold, exciting and impressive to denote the change but exits are dull, unmarked and passive. 

An entrance is a transitory facility, where one is expected to leave out the physical baggage, carriers, bearers, vehicles and also drop-out the personal beliefs and prejudices. It is only at the entrance one realizes what one can do without. Even if one gains an entry somewhere, the past catches up, similarly there is no escape on the exit, as seamlessly one enters a new domain.

A visitor, and everything else, is expected to arrive at the main door, in spite of many other convenient points. Means of physical and spiritual defense or totems are placed here even though there may be more vulnerable locations in a building. The exit, however, occurs through less known or least expected points, such as ‘windowing’ (a practice of throwing unwanted person or object out of a window rather then a door -so that there is no chance of return).

  If the en-trance is an entrance that beguiles the visitor and captivates the attention. The en-trance is the first impression that makes a lasting effect, due to the novelty of experience and the environmental and architectural facilitation. If (Entr)-ance is the action or process of doing something, then an entrance offers that amply. The first entry of an actor into a scene is called entrance. The place, time and purpose of entrance, are always fascinating as something new dawns. The entrance is a point in a musical score, at which a performer begins, as it is the only point where one can be relevant.

.