Vanishing Views

I love this show, critical but not dismissive of new developments in and around Britain. It acknowledges progress, often critical, but never dismissive, yet has a fantastic look to the past as the Architect Ptolemy (there’s a name for you) draws some iconic British buildings. Tonight’s was on St Paul’s Cathedral.

“Architect Ptolemy Dean sketches famous views in Britain before they disappear forever..”

If you get the chance, Living Channel 10:30 Monday Nights.

Britain’s skylines are changing faster than ever – and architect Ptolmey Dean is setting out to capture five iconic British views which all have one thing in common – they are about to vanish forever. A talented watercolourist, Ptolemy takes his sketchbook to record these unique views of British cities at a particular moment in time. He’ll go to any lengths to find the perfect place to sketch from, whether he’s taking to the high seas, clinging to rooftops or perching precariously on top of a crane – and it’s this determination which means he gets a unique perspective on some of Britain’s landmark views – before they change forever.

http://www.reef.tv/productions/vanishing.html

Sorry off topic, but think about it, central to a lot of the discussions that should be taking place on the stadium, rather than if South Dunedin is going to float away, how many poos are in St Clair Beach or business broadband.

Sorry haven’t found any YouTube clips so may have to make some myself.

Actually while I’m on it, there have been plenty of programmes on Architecture, but have there ever been any on Urban Design/Town Planning – can’t remember any?

StS withdrawal of appeals?

Council has today been advised by Stop the Stadium that they have withdrawn their appeal against the Stadium Plan Change and also their appeal against the Notice of Requirement for the arterial road. They have also issued a press statement to this effect. It is not, as yet, on their website though!

This from a very good source.

Political lampooning

‘pukeko’ has a go at the pro stadium lobby having difficulty with Garrick Tremain’s ‘stadium’ pictorials of late…

### ODT Online Sun, 08/03/2009 – 8:23pm.
Comment by pukeko on “Good onya, Mr Tremain!
The pro stadium-ites and the rich old boys club in council get their way but cannot stand they humorous take offs, reflecting the views of most, in the paper? By golly, democracy hasn’t prevailed with this farce from day one, now even a bit of well deserved lampooning is too much as well?
Read more

### More about the cartoonist at garricktremain.com

Wrong demographic?

“It is smiles all round in Highlanders country.
The rugby team scored a gritty 6-0 victory over last year’s champions, the Crusaders, rockers Shihad kept a packed terrace entertained and, importantly, spectators turned up in good numbers.

Though the exact crowd number would not be known until today, estimates put it at between 12,000 and 13,000.”

Murray Stott and others have time and time again told us that Dunedin has the wrong Demographic to hold concerts at the stadium.

I’ve always argued that I find this exceedingly hard to believe considering that there are some 22,000 students in the city, and 3/4 of the population of the South Island is within 3-4hr drive from us.

Now they would be the first to agree (although not happy about it) but Shihad are not the powerhouse of NZ rock that they used to be, so I was pleasantly happy to see the massive crowd at the game and concert afterwards.

There would have been people there who couldn’t give a toss about Shihad and possibly likewise people there who weren’t really into Rugby, but the bright spark that thought of having the band play after the game (with a longer set of hits etc) instead of before the game, deserves a medal and illustrates the whole basic argument I hold for this stadium – if people think outside of the box this has a potential to be a massive success.

The moans about the crowd at the first game were a little disingenuous, in that there was about 3-4 other sporting and cultural events on in town that weekend, it is well acknowledged that people are annoyed at how early the Rugby Season starts, quite simply it was still summer, people are into summer sports. I love rugby, but I don’t go to early season games, it’s Cricket, Softball and other sports time in the sun, not rugby.

So well done everyone for turning up to the game/concert, lets see what other thinking outside the box they can come up with next – and no Pipe Bands is not a plausible suggestion.

Full ODT Article here: