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Reply 20
Am I the only one who would be happy with something classical? In the style of:


Spoiler



Some people say we shouldn't look to the past and we should move on from all the classical art which is in our cities, yet I believe classical art is starting to become the extinct minority within this country, and it would be even more revolutionary (which seems to the the motivation for most public art designers) to create something classical.
Reply 21
I like public monuments, whatever the publics relationship with the thing is it is a social relationship with the city ,a unifying force.

The Dome has turned into an excellent public centre, a top notch venue a place people want to go. The eye has become synonymous with the landscape of central London. Even purely functional aspects of the sky-line can form relationships with the public - I feel a certain attraction to the BT tower and Centre Point tower simply because they are geographical markers.

Buildings, city geography, and monuments all form relationships between people and place, representing the city and the people who live within it .
I wonder who'll attempt to climb it first (if it gets made of course) lol.
The idea is good, but that proposition... it looks like the pylon supplying electricity to Hell.
Aeterna
Am I the only one who would be happy with something classical? In the style of:



Some people say we shouldn't look to the past and we should move on from all the classical art which is in our cities, yet I believe classical art is starting to become the extinct minority within this country, and it would be even more revolutionary (which seems to the the motivation for most public art designers) to create something classical.


Those type of monuments require craftmanship most modern architects aren't capable of.
It looks likes something from the Soviet Union.
Reply 26
Ed.
I like public monuments, whatever the publics relationship with the thing is it is a social relationship with the city ,a unifying force.

The Dome has turned into an excellent public centre, a top notch venue a place people want to go. The eye has become synonymous with the landscape of central London. Even purely functional aspects of the sky-line can form relationships with the public - I feel a certain attraction to the BT tower and Centre Point tower simply because they are geographical markers.

Buildings, city geography, and monuments all form relationships between people and place, representing the city and the people who live within it .


So, basically, you're saying that if you dump any old bundle of concrete in a city, give it a few years and it will become iconic (which appears to be what you're describing)?

You may or may not be implying that, but I certainly agree with it in essence. A lot of monuments have been hated at first, but gradually become part of the atmosphere. I don't, however, believe that is an excuse to create something hideous.
Reply 27
indigoblue
Those type of monuments require craftmanship most modern architects aren't capable of.


Considering the technology, I am sure it is possible. You would just need to find the appropriate creative mind to create something classical, yet individual. Good luck to whoever attempts to find this person(s)!
What an absolute ****ing spack.

Our bus fares are increasing by 20% and this dickhead is building a giant red pylon in London?
Reply 29
That red thing looks like a giant pylon!
Aeterna
Considering the technology, I am sure it is possible. You would just need to find the appropriate creative mind to create something classical, yet individual. Good luck to whoever attempts to find this person(s)!


Its possible but it isn't a style most modern architects can do. Most specialise in steel girders and lots of glass.

I'd personally prefer something classical, but it requires time and skill that we're lacking nowadays.
Reply 31
Dave_McDougall
looks like a giant electricity mast


Agreed. I think he/they could come up with something a bit better.
Reply 32
Aeterna
So, basically, you're saying that if you dump any old bundle of concrete in a city, give it a few years and it will become iconic (which appears to be what you're describing)?

You may or may not be implying that, but I certainly agree with it in essence. A lot of monuments have been hated at first, but gradually become part of the atmosphere. I don't, however, believe that is an excuse to create something hideous.


Kind of. I'm not saying we shouldn't worry about producing something hideous, I'd rather the skyline be filled with things of beauty. However even if the present generation end up hating said monument - it is still an active part of the city. People still interact socially with the monument, it is still a representation of the city - even if it is a representation people don't particularly like it is still woven into the fabric of the city. And yes in the future views on the monument may change and it may become loved - or maybe not.

However, personally I don't really like the look of the toten-pole thing presented so far. I can understand why the image of a totem-pole was used as it could be intended to be a symbol of a united people celebrating a common event (totem-poles are generally an expression of things a group of people want to celebrate rather than individuals).
If they're going to make it, make it huge otherwise it's pointless. Also would be good if it had some sort of practical use, e.g. Big Ben also doubles up as a handy clock :gah:
Reply 34
Thats only one of six proposed designs, I agree it's pretty ugly but I quite like Boris' idea, it ties right in with the legacy concept of our Olympics, will give the East End a tourist attraction other than Jack the Ripper and if it's architecturally good then it's win/win.

Plus the money won't be coming out of the public purse, so it's not like he's diverting money that could be used elsewhere for it, I do agree with the earlier poster though, build something in a classical style, maybe even an arch like Trajans and the Arc de Triomphe, I have a soft spot for the old classical stylings, I wish we hadn't dropped it in the 20th century.
Aeterna
Am I the only one who would be happy with something classical? In the style of:


Spoiler



Some people say we shouldn't look to the past and we should move on from all the classical art which is in our cities, yet I believe classical art is starting to become the extinct minority within this country, and it would be even more revolutionary (which seems to the the motivation for most public art designers) to create something classical.


Wow that second one is HUGE! How big is it in comparison to other monuments?
Reply 36
CombineHarvester
Wow that second one is HUGE! How big is it in comparison to other monuments?


That one is a statue of Mother Russia and a WW2 memorial in Volgograd/Stalingrad, I've no clue how big it is (although I seem to remember it being bigger than Canary Wharf) but I've always wanted to visit it, especially as Zaitsev and Chuikov's graves are in the same complex.
Reply 37
Boris Johnson. I have, lets say, a severe dislike for the man. While I liked his public attitude the more I found of his policy the more I can understand why Cameron wants to distance himself from that. This will cost a lot of money and push no new boundaries. It is Boris all over. A bad idea wrapped in a publicity stunt.
Reply 38
DayneD89
Boris Johnson. I have, lets say, a severe dislike for the man. While I liked his public attitude the more I found of his policy the more I can understand why Cameron wants to distance himself from that. This will cost a lot of money and push no new boundaries. It is Boris all over. A bad idea wrapped in a publicity stunt.


It's being funded entirely by Lakhshmi Mittal, no public money will go towards it, I don't know why people keep mentioning the cost in this thread, who cares what Mittal does with his money? :s-smilie:
Reply 39
ajp100688
It's being funded entirely by Lakhshmi Mittal, no public money will go towards it, I don't know why people keep mentioning the cost in this thread, who cares what Mittal does with his money? :s-smilie:

Sorry, i hadnt read much of it. If its private money then i would agree with you that they should be able to do as they wish with it.