Category Archives: Coolness

DJ Earworm Mashup – United State of Pop 2014 (Do What You Wanna Do)
DJ Earworm Mashup – United State of Pop 2013 (Living the Fantasy) feat. Lorde

Filed under Coolness, Design, Fun, Geography, Innovation, Leading edge, Media, Music, Name, People, Technology

Tagged as Music, Music videos, Various

by Elizabeth | January 2, 2017 · 4:34 pm

Pop Mashup(s) 2016 —USA

*widescreen viewing

Dj Earworm Published on Dec 1, 2016
DJ Earworm Mashup – United State of Pop 2016 (Into Pieces)

Dj Earworm Published on Jun 17, 2016
DJ Earworm – Summermash ’16

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p r e v i o u s

Dj Earworm Published on Dec 2, 2015
DJ Earworm Mashup – United State of Pop 2015 (50 Shades of Pop)
A mashup of the FIFTY biggest U.S. hits of 2015.

Jordan Roseman (aka DJ Earworm) is a San Francisco-based mashup artist who has achieved recognition for his technically sophisticated, songwriting oriented music and video mashups. Wikipedia

Born: March 25, 1982 (age 34), Evanston, Illinois, United States
Education: University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
Genre: Mashup
Film music credits: By Foot

DJ Earworm @djearworm (Twitter)

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Filed under Business, Coolness, Democracy, Design, Fun, Innovation, Inspiration, Leading edge, Media, Music, Name, People

Tagged as Audio threading, Contemporary music, DJ Earworm, Mashup, Pop music, The Independent, USA, Video sequencing, Videos, YouTube

by Elizabeth | January 1, 2017 · 3:09 am

Getaways —Dezeen 2016

A brief selection of short and long stay architectural showpieces.

OPA finds backer for cliffside residence sunken into Lebanese mountain
Jessica Mairs | 5 May 2016 ● Dezeen
Open Platform for Architecture (OPA) is moving forward with plans to build a subterranean residence that will slice into a mountain near Beirut and feature a glass swimming pool for a roof. OPA originally released plans for Casa Brutale in July 2015, with no site, client or budget to build it. But the viral success of the renderings has now brought forward a backer with a plot of land on Faqra mountain near Beirut and a budget of $2.5 million (£1.7 million).

The project is expected to break ground this summer and its owner will be Alex Demirdjian, the chief executive of Lebanese real estate agent Demco Properties. The buried dwelling will be bracketed by three board-marked concrete slabs, while a fourth glazed wall will allow views of the valley to take centre stage. A glass-bottomed pool will allow light to shine into the earth-encased living spaces.
https://www.dezeen.com/2016/05/05/casa-brutale-opa-sunken-cliffside-residence-lebanese-mountain-swimming-pool/

Renderings: Terpsichori Latsi (LOOM Design)

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Tiny camping pods by Andrea Zittel serve as a creative refuge in the California desert
Jenna McKnight | 19 August 2016 ● Dezeen
Artists and writers wanting to play out a “desert fantasy” can rent a tiny sleeping pod at a remote campsite in southern California, which looks like a scene from a sci-fi film. Called the Wagon Station Encampment, the experimental project was conceived by US artist Andrea Zittel, who is known for her explorations into self-sufficient and sustainable living systems. The site consists of 10 sleeping pods, called wagon stations, as well as a communal outdoor kitchen, open-air showers and composting toilets. “It’s sort of a cross between a retreat and a residency and a normal campground,” said Zittel. The encampment – described as having a sci-fi aesthetic – is located on a 35-acre (14-hectare) site near Joshua Tree National Park, which is dotted with unusual rock formations rising up from a vast expanse of desert.

The metal-and-wood shelters are meant to evoke the classic family station wagons often found in suburbia, along with the covered, horse-drawn wagons that were common in old Wild West. While the pods do not have wheels, they can be easily collapsed, moved and reassembled. Guests enter their pod by unlocking and lifting up the front panel, which can be propped up and left open. The panel has a transparent strip that enables occupants to view the surrounding landscape and sky while lying on their bed. Inside, the enclosure contains a mattress, clothing hooks and a small door for ventilation. Artists can bring their own decor, such as rugs and paintings, to personalise the pod. The campsite is part of a larger property known as A-Z West, which was established in 2000. It contains Zittel’s primary residence, a studio and shop facility and a collection of shipping containers converted into apartments. Other camp shelters include the recently unveiled Autonomous Tent, which is a sculptural enclosure with a wooden porch, and portable micro cabins designed by Harvard students for stressed-out city dwellers.
https://www.dezeen.com/2016/08/19/wagon-station-encampment-andrea-zittel-tiny-camping-pods-creative-refuge-california-desert/

Photography: Lance Brewer

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Eight concrete boxes form a “moveable” vacation home on Martha’s Vineyard
James Brillon | 20 August 2016 ● Dezeen
A cluster of eight interconnected concrete volumes make up this Martha’s Vineyard residence, which is designed to be moved in the event of site erosion. The single-family East House was created by Canadian architect Peter Rose in the town of Chilmark. Serious concerns about the site’s ability to support the 4,000 square foot (372 sq m) residence led the architects to devise a system that allegedly allows the house to be moved if necessary.

The home’s living spaces were designed as eight individual cast-in-place concrete boxes. They are connected via interstitial corridors, which were built using lightweight timber construction. According to the architects, this makes them structurally independent from one another, which in turn allows them to be moved more easily. “The solution was to cast the floors in concrete, making each box a single structural unit that can be individually lifted and moved to a location far from the bluff in case of erosion.”
https://www.dezeen.com/2016/08/20/eight-concrete-boxes-form-a-moveable-vacation-home-on-marthas-vineyard/

Photography: Chuck Choi

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Luxury campsite in Antarctica offers tiny domed pods for sleeping and dining
Jenna McKnight | 31 August 2016 ● Dezeen
This remote “glamping” site in Antarctica features a series of igloo-like enclosures fitted with upscale decor like fur-covered chairs and bamboo headboards. White Desert – billed as the “only luxury camp in the interior of Antarctica” – consists of heated, spherical pods made of fibreglass. Six are designated for sleeping, with each designed to accommodate two guests. Additional pods house a kitchen, a dining room, a lounge and a library. The domed shelters rest atop wooden platforms and are secured to the ground with metal cables.
https://www.dezeen.com/2016/08/31/white-desert-luxury-campsite-antarctica-tiny-domed-pods-extreme-glamping/

Photography courtesy of White Desert

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BIG stacks shipping containers to create floating student housing in Copenhagen harbour
Jessica Mairs | 22 September 2016 ● Dezeen
Shipping containers are stacked on a floating platform to create these buoyant student halls of residence designed by Bjarke Ingels’ firm (BIG) for Copenhagen harbour. The project named Urban Rigger aims to provide low-cost housing for students in the centre of the Copenhagen, docked in the harbour.

BIG’s scheme comprises nine shipping containers stacked and arranged on a floating base, to create 15 studio residences over two levels. The blocks are angled with their ends overlapping to frame a shared garden in the centre of the mobile platform – also intended to protect the housing from the threat of rising sea levels. The flat roofs of the three containers forming the upper floor each have a different function. One provides a terrace, another hosts solar panels and the final roof is covered in grass. Urban Rigger is the latest addition to a string of proposals considering shipping containers as a model for affordable housing. Copenhagen’s harbour area is currently undergoing significant redevelopment.
https://www.dezeen.com/2016/09/22/big-bjarke-ingels-shipping-containers-floating-student-housing-urban-rigger-copenhagen/

Photography: Laurent de Carniere

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Baca Architects moors modular floating home on Chichester Canal
Eleanor Gibson | 23 October 2016 ● Dezeen
Baca Architects – the studio behind the UK’s first amphibious house – has completed a boxy floating home on Chichester Canal in southern England. The London-based architects developed the floating house as a prototype with British company Floating Homes. The replicable design named Chichester won an ideas competition seeking solutions to London’s housing crisis earlier this year.

Baca Architects referenced the design of canal boats when drawing up plans for the house, but increased the scale and included plenty of windows to create a more spacious and luxurious home on the water. The architects played with the traditional rectangular shape of house boats to create a split-level design. A white staircase leads from the lounge up to a terrace carved into the flat roof of the house and surrounded by glazed balustrades. Simple finishes like white-painted walls and pale floorboards keep the space light and open.
https://www.dezeen.com/2016/10/23/chichester-model-canal-baca-architects-wooden-floating-home-uk/

Photography courtesy of Floating Homes Ltd

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Precarious Alpine cabin by OFIS offers shelter to Slovenian climbers
Jessica Mairs | 10 November 2016 ● Dezeen
This tiny aluminium-clad cabin by Slovenian studio OFIS Arhitekti cantilevers over the edge of a mountain on the Slovenian-Italian border. OFIS Arhitekti worked with local structural engineers CBD to develop the Kanin Winter Cabin, which is designed to resist extreme weather conditions on its exposed site on Mount Kanin. “This particular site was chosen because of its 360-degree views over Slovenia and Italy, and spectacular views to Triglav, Soca Valley and Adriatic sea,” said the studio.

This tiny 9.7-square-metre cabin has a narrow floor plan containing three shelf-like floors, and has dimensions of just 2.4 by 4.9 metres. It is made from a combination of cross-laminated timber, glass and aluminium panels. “The interior design dictates modesty, subordinate to the function, providing accommodation for up to nine mountaineers.”
https://www.dezeen.com/2016/11/10/cantilever-alpine-shelter-kanin-winter-cabin-ofis-architects-climbers-slovenia/

Photography: Janez Martincic

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Flat-packed cabin concept allows tiny houses to be assembled like IKEA furniture
James Brillon | 20 November 2016 ● Dezeen
A Vancouver-based startup’s conceptual design for flat-packed recreational cabins would allow users to build for themselves, making the wilderness more readily accessible. The Backcountry Hut Company is an offshoot of interdisciplinary design firm Leckie Studio. Its goal is to facilitate the process of building cabins for a variety of uses. The huts are provided in pieces that can be efficiently packed flat and assembled on site. Rather than being built by professional craftspeople, the cabins can be put together by a small group working together. The simple geometrical cabins encompass two floors. The ground level contains public areas that vary according to individual preferences. Sleeping quarters are located above, and are accessed using a ladder. The metal-clad huts are part of a larger trend towards building small, modular dwellings.
https://www.dezeen.com/2016/11/20/backcountry-hut-company-leckie-studio-flat-packed-cabin-concept-assembled-like-ikea-furniture/

Images courtesy of Backcountry Hut Company

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Antarctic research centre to be towed inland to escape dangerous ice crack
Amy Frearson | 13 December 2016 ● Dezeen
The world’s first mobile research centre on the floating Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica is going to be moved to a new location for the first time, due to fears it could be trapped on an iceberg.

Photo: British Antarctic Survey

Photo: Hugh Broughton Architects

Designed by Hugh Broughton Architects for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), the Halley VI Antarctic Research Station has only been operational since 2013, but now needs to be towed 23 kilometres to a new location. This is because a chasm that had previously been dormant for approximately 35 years started to grow just after the station was installed, putting it at risk of separating from the ice shelf. The £25.8 million research station is built to withstand extreme winter weather. Made up of seven interlinking blue modules, the structure is raised on hydraulically elevated feet to stay above the many metres of expected snowfall.
These ski-like feet also make it possible to tow each of the modules over a prepared ice track. But the team did not expect to have to move the building less than five years after the facility opened.
https://www.dezeen.com/2016/12/13/halley-vi-antarctic-research-station-towed-inland-escape-dangerous-crack-brunt-ice-shelf/

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Filed under Architecture, Business, Construction, Coolness, Design, Economics, Education, Finance, Geography, Hotel, Housing, Infrastructure, Innovation, Inspiration, Leading edge, Media, Property, Public interest, Site, Structural engineering, Tourism, Town planning, Urban design

Tagged as Antarctica, Architecture, Built environment, Cabins, Concept design, Construction, Deluxe, Densification, Exclusive budgets, Glamping, Holiday accommodation, Housing, Natural environment, Pods, Social housing, Wilderness experience

by Elizabeth | December 21, 2016 · 4:01 pm

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2016 in Paris

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is an annual fashion show sponsored by Victoria’s Secret, a brand of lingerie and sleepwear. Victoria’s Secret uses the show to promote and market its goods in high-profile settings. The show features some of the world’s leading fashion models, such as current Victoria’s Secret Angels Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Lily Aldridge, Elsa Hosk and Martha Hunt.

This year, it was the turn of New Zealand fashion models Georgie Fowler and Stella Maxwell to show on the catwalk at the Grand Palais, Paris. The show featured musical performances by Lady Gaga, The Weeknd and Bruno Mars.

Go to YouTube Settings to turn off Annotations.
A glimpse —

LadyGagaVEVO Published on Dec 6, 2016
Lady Gaga – Million Reasons (Live From The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2016 In Paris)
New album ‘Joanne’

Bruno Mars Published on Dec 6, 2016
Bruno Mars – Chunky [Victoria’s Secret 2016 Fashion Show Performance]
New album ‘24K Magic’

TheWeekndVEVO Published on Dec 6, 2016
Starboy (Live From The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2016 in Paris)
The Weeknd ft. French electronic duo Daft Punk
New album ‘Starboy’

LadyGagaVEVO Published on Dec 6, 2016
A-YO / John Wayne (Medley/Live From The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2016 In Paris)
New album ‘Joanne’

Bruno Mars Published on Dec 6, 2016
Bruno Mars – 24K Magic [Victoria’s Secret 2016 Fashion Show Performance]
New album ‘24K Magic’

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Green Island town centre : Say No to Council Red Tape

Green Island is a revitalising service centre peppered with new tenancies and *excellent* eateries. All in all a worthwhile destination. Just make sure, Green Island people, that DCC does not overtake your ideas with theirs (see King Edward St, South Dunedin, where council blight has occurred)…. so to kill your lovely Upbeat shopping centre. YOUR Plan, not theirs. Don’t let councils over-design your main street (avoid road engineering aesthetics) —keep everything simple and spontaneous, a People-friendly Place to entice repeat visitors.

A plan to improve traffic flow, intersections, parking, pedestrian safety and bus stops is being developed in Green Island, with community input.

### ODT Online Sun, 27 Nov 2016
Traffic plan for perusal soon
By Joshua Riddiford – The Star
A traffic plan for Green Island is expected to be presented to officials before Christmas Day. The plan is intended to improve traffic flow, intersections, parking, pedestrian safety and bus stops. The Greater Green Island Community Network developed the plan in response to that organisation’s household survey in May, which found 30% of residents were concerned about vehicles dominating public spaces and streets, 21% were concerned about the amount of traffic and 21% were concerned about pedestrian safety.
Read more

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### ODT Online Sun, 13 Nov 2016
Green Island traffic plan picks up pace
By Brenda Harwood – The Star
….Greater Green Island believes the time has come for a comprehensive plan, with the recent development of the new Moyles Fresh Choice supermarket, the Z petrol station, the Sunnyvale Sports Centre, a growing population and the rise in traffic volumes. Greater Green Island community workers Amanda Reid and Leanne Stenhouse have been meeting Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council representatives to discuss the issues and are now working on a comprehensive draft design for improvements …. [DCC transportation safety team leader Hjarne Poulsen] said the approach of the community network, to gather feedback and create a concept, was “very helpful” …. [ORC support services manager] Gerard Collings welcomed the community feedback and thanked the network for its “collaborative approach”.
Read more

[click to enlarge]
Google Street Map – Green Island 2016

DCC Webmap – Green Island JanFeb 2013

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

*Image: Green Island street perspective via Google Street View, tweaked by whatifdunedin

Filed under Architecture, Business, Coolness, Democracy, Design, District Plan, Dunedin, Economics, Education, Finance, Geography, Health, Heritage, Housing, Infrastructure, Inspiration, Media, People, Politics, Project management, Property, Proposed 2GP, Public interest, Resource management, Tourism, Town planning, Transportation, Urban design, What stadium

Tagged as Access, Amenity, Character, Community Plan, Convenience, Destination, Dunedin, Easy parking, Great South Rd, Green Island, Historic heritage, Main Street, Motorists, Parking, Pedestrians, Safety, Scale, Sense of Place, Shopping centre, Spatial design, Town centre, Traffic management, Urban design, Village

by Elizabeth | October 9, 2016 · 11:05 pm

Vogel Street Party 2016 #randoms

On Saturday, the Vogel Street Party hit the streets of the Warehouse Precinct. Now in its third year, the party continues the celebration of Dunedin’s successes by highlighting CONNECTIONS — celebrating the links that bring our Dunedin communities together with the rest of the world, as well as each other. Our gigatown status means we can showcase the creative arts, fashion, music, drama, interactive activities, innovation and development across the city.

Sat, 8 Oct 2016
ODT: Thousands flock to Vogel St Party
A crowd of more than 15,000 took in the sights of Dunedin’s heritage gem during the Vogel St Party today. Vogel St Party Charitable Trust chairman Brendan Christie said the party was “great”.

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Post and still images by Elizabeth Kerr

Election Year. This post is offered in the public interest.

Filed under Architecture, Business, Construction, Coolness, DCC, Democracy, Design, Dunedin, Economics, Education, Events, Fun, Geography, Heritage, Infrastructure, Innovation, Inspiration, Leading edge, New Zealand, People, Pics, Project management, Property, Public interest, Resource management, Site, Tourism, Town planning, Urban design, What stadium

Tagged as Adaptive reuse, Arts, Communities, Community events, Connections, DCC, Dunedin, Dunedin City Council, Earthquake strengthening, Family fun, Free events, Heritage economics, Historic heritage, Innov8HQ, Murals, Open Buildings, Party, Precincts, Property investment, Public Access, Redevelopment, Sponsors, Supporters, Vogel Street Party 2016, Vogel Street Party Charitable Trust, Warehouse precinct

by Elizabeth | October 6, 2016 · 5:40 pm

Dunedin and the Accessible Journey —it’s hard work! #fixit

An uplifting educational element to election campaign pressures, an event involving the public too – Great going guys!

Channel 39 Published on Oct 4, 2016

### channel39.co.nz Wed, 5 Oct 2016
Mayor hopefuls tackle wheelchair challenge
Disability access is on the minds of some of Dunedin’s mayoral candidates. They’ve been participating in a wheelchair challenge orchestrated by a city council candidate with cerebral palsy. And it’s raised questions about the city’s accessibility.
Ch39 Link

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### ODT Online Thu, 6 Oct 2016
Wheelchair experience enlightening
Dunedin mayoral candidates got to experience life in a wheelchair yesterday, and immediately discovered difficult cambers, bus limitations and the problem of negotiating crowds. Jim O’Malley, Cr Andrew Whiley, Barry Timmings and Abe Gray joined council candidate Joshua Perry on a challenge to take a wheelchair two blocks down George St and back, a mission that proved harder than it sounded. The challenge was organised by Mr Perry, who uses a wheelchair.
Read more

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Published by Elizabeth Kerr

Election Year. This post is offered in the public interest.

Filed under Coolness, DCC, Democracy, Design, District Plan, Dunedin, Economics, Events, Finance, Geography, Health, Infrastructure, Inspiration, Media, New Zealand, People, Politics, Proposed 2GP, Public interest, Resource management, Tourism, Town planning, Transportation, Urban design

Tagged as 2016 local body elections, Building access, Buses, Candidates, Cooperation, Disability Awareness, Dunedin, Elections, Footpaths, Fun, Learning, Local body elections 2016, Mobility access, Public awareness, Public streets, Roads, The Accessible Journey, Transportation

by Elizabeth | October 3, 2016 · 10:21 pm

Vogel Street Party 2016 #Dunedin

Innov8HQ Vogel Street Party 2016

October 8 2016 will see the Vogel Street Party hit the streets of the Warehouse Precinct once again. Now in its third year and growing each occasion, this year will continue the celebration of Dunedin’s successes.

The theme for this year is CONNECTIONS, celebrating the links that bring our Dunedin communities together with the rest of the world, as well as each other. It will continue to highlight Dunedin’s expanding gigatown status, showcase the creative art, fashion, music, drama, interactive activities, innovation, development and growth across the city. This once again aims to nurture a sense of pride, identity and belonging in our amazing city. Expect to see the unknown and known, the hidden and shown, the weird and the wonderful take to the streets.

Open Buildings
Performances
Installations
Fun Things To Do
Music Lineup

█ Events Programme at http://www.vogelstparty.nz/

█ Programme Download

Facebook: vogelstreetparty
https://www.facebook.com/events/1758070184481040/

Presented by Dunedin City Council in association with Vogel Street Party Charitable Trust (VSP) and Party Partners

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P A R T Y ● 2 0 1 4

Dunedin NZ Published on Nov 9, 2014
Vogel Street Party | Insiders Dunedin
On Saturday 18 October, Dunedin celebrated the creative energy that has being channelled into the Vogel Street neighbourhood. Once a thriving hub of Dunedin’s commercial and industrial growth, new life is being breathed into these streets and buildings to awaken some of the grandeur of their former glory. It’s all part of the Warehouse Precinct Revitalisation Plan.

P A R T Y ● 2 0 1 5

Vogel Street Party Dunedin Published on May 6, 2016
Vogel Street Party 2015 Literature & Light – a snapshot of highlights
A snapshot from just a few of the many events at the Vogel Street Party 2015, Dunedin, New Zealand on 10 October.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Election Year. This post is offered in the public interest.

Filed under Architecture, Business, Coolness, DCC, Democracy, Design, District Plan, Dunedin, Economics, Education, Events, Fun, Heritage, Innovation, Inspiration, Leading edge, New Zealand, People, Property, Proposed 2GP, Public interest, Resource management, Site, Tourism, Town planning, Urban design, What stadium

by Elizabeth | September 28, 2016 · 11:47 pm

Lee Vandervis and the zero-emission Electric Leaf

Promo: Nissan Leaf 30kwh [100hotcars.info]

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Received from Lee Vandervis
Wed, 28 Sep 2016 at 10:32 p.m.

From: Lee Vandervis
Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2016 09:01:28 +1200
To: Editor ODT
Cc: Nicholas G S Smith, Julian Smith [Allied Press Ltd]
Subject: ZERO Rating – Letter to the Editor

ZERO Rating – Letter to the Editor.

Dear Editor,

When a youth group calling themselves Generation Zero springs a C- Environmental Rating [p4 ODT 27/9/16] on somebody who: generates his own off-grid solar power, cuts mills and builds with his own timber from sustainable macrocarpa forest using off-cuts for low-carbon heating, has been a life-long re-user as well as recycler restoring Heritage buildings and homes, drives a zero-emission electric car, eats veges and herbs from 20 metres of raised bed garden and fruit from a dozen orchard trees, and has always paid for his DCC water connection, it comes as quite a surprise to see this same group giving Mayor Cull an A+ Environmental Rating, presumably because he blamed South Dunedin’s avoidable flooding of homes on Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise. Hopefully it is only this fundamentalist Climate Change Generation Zero group that falls for the fashion of just talking Sustainability while ignoring the facts of those who actually live it.

Kind regards,

Cr. Lee Vandervis

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Tue, 27 Sep 2016
ODT: Environmental ratings controversial
The group behind a website that is ranking Dunedin mayoral candidates on their environmental stance says it was produced in part to get young people talking about the local government election. […] [JOKE] Mr Cull said he was flattered by the judgement, and thought the organisation had “comprehensively” looked at a range of issues and how candidates had grappled with them.

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ON THE RECORD
Lee Vandervis purchased a near new electric Nissan Leaf well before Dave Cull and Chris Staynes each bought theirs. What if? Dunedin inspected Mr Vandervis’ car today and went for a quiet ride……….. as you do when chasing down a bad ODT newsflash written by low pond life.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Election Year. This post is offered in the public interest.

2 Comments

Filed under Coolness, Democracy, Design, Dunedin, Economics, Education, Health, Innovation, Inspiration, Leading edge, Media, Name, New Zealand, People, Politics, Public interest, Transportation, What stadium

Tagged as Cr Lee Vandervis, Efficiency, Electric cars, Environment, Nissan Leaf, Sustainability, Transport, Zero emissions

by Elizabeth | September 2, 2016 · 1:35 pm

Dementia research : Clearing sticky plaques from the brain

Amyloid Plaques and Neurons in the Brain. Image: Juan-Gartner [psypost.org] – also reproduced by ScientificAmerica.com Story Link

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A L Z H E I M E R S ● D I S E A S E

Since it was first identified more than a century ago, we still have no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Among the various avenues that researchers have been working on to try and understand the causes and potential treatments for the disease, the role of blood vessels has been increasingly a focus – and in particular the “blood-brain barrier”, a protective layer of cells that regulates what can enter the brain through the blood. The blood-brain barrier is usually very tight in young, healthy people. This means that the brain controls what substances get in, which is important for proper brain function. However, this high level of control can be a problem for treating brain diseases because drugs in the bloodstream can be kept out of the brain. A lot of research is being done to try get around this problem […] As well as acting as a gatekeeper for entry of substances into the brain, the blood-brain barrier is important for removing waste products from the brain. One of these products, β-amyloid, is a key player in Alzheimer’s disease.

β-amyloid is made in the brains of everyone. In the healthy brain, it is quickly removed from the brain by moving across the blood-brain barrier into the blood. In the old brain, this movement is slower and allows β-amyloid to build up. And as it builds up, β-amyloid causes damage to both the brain and the blood-brain barrier, which in turn creates further damage by decreasing the removal of β-amyloid from the brain and allowing entry of toxins from the blood.

This on-going cycle of damage is thought to contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Source: PsyPost : Slowdown of brain’s waste removal system could drive Alzheimer’s (17.3.15)

PsyPost is a psychology and neuroscience news website dedicated to reporting the latest research on human behaviour, cognition, and society. The publication covers the latest discoveries in psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, sociology and similar fields, featuring news releases from universities and other organisations, along with original reporting on undernoticed studies.

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Artist rendering: β-amyloid oligomers (red) and receptor LilrB2 or PirB (green) in neuronal synapses of Alzheimer’s brains. [medicalxpress.com]

Scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine have shown how a protein fragment known as beta-amyloid, strongly implicated in Alzheimer’s disease, begins destroying synapses before it clumps into plaques that lead to nerve cell death.

Source: MedicalExpress.com : Scientists reveal how beta-amyloid may cause Alzheimer’s (19.9.13)

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### msn.com Fri, 2 Sep 2016 8 hrs ago
Alzheimer’s: New drug that halts mental decline is ‘best news for dementia in 25 years’
By Sarah Knapton, Science Editor – The Telegraph (UK)
The first drug that can prevent Alzheimer’s disease is finally on the horizon after scientists proved they can clear the sticky plaques from the brain which cause dementia and halt mental decline. Hailed as the “best news” in dementia research for 25 years, the breakthrough is said to be a potential “game changer” for people with Alzheimer’s.

The red marks show amyloid plaques but after a year they are gone in the highest dose group. [telegraph.co.uk]

Scientists said they were amazed to find that patients treated with the highest dose of the antibody drug aducanumab experienced an almost complete clearance of the amyloid plaques that prevent brain cells communicating, leading to irreversible memory loss and cognitive decline.

Crucially they also found that after six months of the treatment, patients stopped deteriorating compared with those taking a placebo, suggesting that their dementia had been halted. If shown to be effective in larger trials, the first drug to prevent dementia could be available in just a few years.

“The results of this clinical study make us optimistic that we can potentially make a great step forward in treating Alzheimer’s disease,” said Prof Roger Nitsch, at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Zurich. In the high dose group the amyloid has almost completely disappeared. The effect size of this drug is unprecedented. Despite it being a small sample there appeared to be a slowing of cognitive decline and functional decline. The group with a high degree of amyloid removal were basically stable. If we could reproduce this it would be terrific.”
Read more

Source: (via paywall) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/09/01/alzheimers-new-drug-that-halts-mental-decline-is-best-news-for-d/

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Election Year. This post is offered in the public interest.

3 Comments

Filed under Business, Coolness, Democracy, Design, Economics, Education, Finance, Geography, Health, Innovation, Inspiration, Leading edge, Media, Name, People, Public interest

Tagged as Alzheimer's disease, Amyloid plaques, Amyloid removal, Blood-brain barrier, Brain cell communication, Brains, Cognitive decline, Cures, Dementia, Functional decline, Health, Hope, Human brains, Institute for Regenerative Medicine - University of Zurich, β-amyloid, Medical science, Mental decline, Mental health, Prof Roger Nitsch (Zurich), Treatments

by Elizabeth | August 16, 2016 · 4:25 pm

Site Notice

A Number of Short Videos by animator and cartoonist Douglas Field, formerly embedded at the What if? Dunedin website are no longer available for viewing. The author was contacted after holes suddenly appeared in What if? posts and comments.

It turns out Douglas had committed to a spot of housekeeping at his YouTube channel and the links were lost.

Because of healthy, greedy, viewer interest in Douglas’s craft, and the utmost value we place on the political satire, joy and reach he stirs, Douglas has generously offered to upload the animations when he has time.

Douglas, you have No Idea how much we miss your “subtle” characterisations and “situational histories” —COME BACK Douglas Field lololol

GIF files

Besides, Douglas, it’s ELECTION YEAR. We’re Desperate.
Madness has to be tracked.

No rednecks, according to MickyW.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Election Year. This post is offered in the public interest.

6 Comments

Filed under Baloney, Business, Coolness, Democracy, Design, Dunedin, Economics, Finance, Heritage, Hot air, Media, Name, New Zealand, People, Pet projects, Politics, Public interest, Travesty

Tagged as Animations, Characterisation, Comedy, Design craft, Douglas Field, Dunedin, Humour, Local government, Pointed subjects, Political Satire, Politics, Satire, Unique windows, Videos

by Elizabeth | August 11, 2016 · 4:36 pm

Tesla Motors to open new location every four days #electrictravel

Elon Musk : At Tesla we don’t make slow cars………….

Tesla Electric Cars:
1. Roadster – luxury class
2. Model S – luxury class
3. Model X – luxury class
4. Model 3 – To meet the Affordable cars market, starting cost US$35,000 (before government incentives), at least 215 mile range with autopilot hardware and supercharging, seats 5 adults comfortably. Due on the road by late 2017.

Tesla currently makes the Model S sedan and the Model X sport utility vehicle.

Model 3 design phase and tooling design are completed, they’ve been sent off to manufacturing to start fitting out the plant : “the machine that makes the machine” —Elon Musk, South African-born Canadian-American business magnate, engineer and inventor; co-founder, CEO and product architect of Tesla Motors, Inc.

Tesla Model 3 [auto-moto.com]

█ Tesla Motors, Inc. is an American automotive and energy storage company that designs, manufactures, and sells electric cars, electric vehicle powertrain components, and battery products. Tesla Motors is a public company that trades on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the symbol TSLA. During the first quarter of 2013, Tesla posted profits for the first time in its history.

█ Website: Tesla: Premium Electric Vehicles

● Elon Musk (@elonmusk) https://twitter.com/elonmusk

—

“We are adding stores in new population-dense markets like Taipei, Seoul, and Mexico City, while also adding stores in our most mature markets like California.” –Tesla’s best-performing stores are in the Golden State.

### NZ Herald Online 1:30 PM Thursday Aug 11, 2016
Tesla opens flagship San Francisco store in advance of Model 3
By Dana Hull – Bloomberg
Tesla Motors marked the opening of its largest North American sales, service and delivery centre in San Francisco, a key market from which Elon Musk’s electric-car maker will introduce its all-important Model 3 sedan late next year.
Though Tesla is based in nearby Palo Alto, the 65,000-square-foot (6,039-square-meter) San Francisco centre is the company’s first in the city, where one-fifth of residents don’t own a car and ride-sharing services led by Uber Technologies are emerging as a dominant form of transportation. The location was originally home to a Chevrolet showroom built in 1937, the year the Golden Gate Bridge opened.
“Model 3 reservations skew young and urban,” Jon McNeill, Tesla’s president of global sales and service, said in an interview Tuesday before an evening event for nearly 400 attendees, including customers. “What makes this our flagship store is that the Bay Area is really our home.”
The three-storey San Francisco store is located on Van Ness Avenue, up the street from British Motor Cars, an independent dealer that sells Land Rover, Jaguar, Bentley and Lamborghini brand vehicles.
Read more

Tesla Published on Mar 31, 2016
Tesla Unveils Model 3

WatchMojo.com Published on Apr 7, 2016
Top 5 Need To Know Facts About the Tesla Model 3
Electric cars were once the stuff of sci-fi, but Tesla Motors is steadily turning them into an affordable reality.

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OTHER VIDEOS
Tesla Published on Dec 19, 2013
Winter Driving Redefined
We followed one of our Norwegian owners, Arne Jakobsen, through his daily commute with Model S. Watch how it performs in sub-zero temperatures, through the mountains and fjords of Norway, and hear why Arne believes he can rely on Model S to get him to places other vehicles simply could not reach.

EdisonTechCenter Published on Mar 7, 2014
Electric Motor: Model S, Tesla Motors
About the motor and drive train in the Model S sedan. 4 pole 3 phase induction motor. 290 kilowatt motor. The Tesla Model S beats all other cars in its class for power to weight ratio. This car is a great example of the potential of electric cars.

Saabkyle04 Published on Feb 9, 2016
2016 Tesla Model X P90D Signature w/Ludicrous Mode – Power Up, Test Drive & In Depth Review
Hello and welcome to Saabkyle04! YouTube’s largest collection of automotive variety. In today’s video, we’ll take an in depth look at the 2016 Tesla Model X P90D!

Bloomberg Published on May 2, 2016
We Took the Tesla Model X on a Road Trip. Here’s What We Found Out
Bloomberg Pursuits’ Hannah Elliott put the Tesla Model X through its paces for five days along the California coast. Elliott first drove the $151,000 SUV briefly in Los Angeles last year and at the time thought it was one of the best cars she’d ever tested. But a 340-mile road trip brings out the pros and cons of any vehicle. The Model X was no exception.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Election Year. This post is offered on the public interest.

Filed under Business, Construction, Coolness, Design, Economics, Events, Fun, Innovation, Inspiration, Leading edge, Media, Name, People, Public interest, Transportation

Tagged as Cars, Electric cars, Elon Musk, Tesla, Tesla Motors Inc.

by Elizabeth | August 5, 2016 · 1:52 pm

Informed : Flurry of cycleway chills at Dunedin

A very inventive cycling snowman installation in Dunedin! :-) (via Dunedin News) pic.twitter.com/wYZGALoFJr

— Dave Goosselink (@davedunedin) August 5, 2016

—

Meanwhile, when in warmer parts.

Received from John Evans
Sun, 31 Jul 2016 at 11:42 p.m.

█ Subject: Up to date report on cycleway usage in Australia

After an extensive second trip to examine the use of cycleways in Australia, I can report that there are now more cyclists than I saw at this time last year.

Queensland:
I saw three cyclists in three weeks in Queensland in areas including the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
Not one of them was using a cycleway.

New South Wales:
Up until today in two weeks I saw only two cyclists.
Today I took my son and grandson fishing at Kuringai Chase National Park.
There were no cyclists on Pennant Hills road or Highway One.
However, on the road into the national park all of a sudden there was a surfeit of cyclists. 24 in total!

All of them happily riding up and down the hill to the estuary. But surprise, surprise, none of them were using a cycleway. The pesky varmints just keep riding their bikes where they want to go, not where the bureaucrats want to herd them.

What does this tell us.
Cyclists have different intentions when they get on their bikes. They all do not want to go to the same place.

Therefore there are only two choices. No cycleways (a complete saving) or cycleways on every road (a complete waste of money).

One must question just why council employees believe that cyclists will be governed by bureaucrats.

This forensic cycle seeking trip was funded by the Otakou division of the harbour cycleways investigation bureau. A thinktank investigating illogical decisions by councils. This body has so far spent too much time on cycleways, but the inane decisions by various New Zealand and Australian councils need more evaluation. To that end our representative will be travelling over 2000 km seeking cyclists from Sydney to Melbourne to Hobart. We shall report on these investigations later.

[ends]

█ For more, enter the terms *cycle*, *cycleway*, *cycling* or *bicycle* in the search box at right.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Election Year. This post is offered in the public interest.

51 Comments

Filed under Climate change, Coolness, Cycle network, Democracy, Design, Dunedin, Economics, Finance, Geography, Health, Infrastructure, Media, Name, New Zealand, People, Pet projects, Politics, Public interest, Sport, Tourism, Transportation, What stadium

Tagged as Cycling, Dunedin, False economy, Frozen arses, Pet projects, Weather

by Elizabeth | July 5, 2016 · 6:05 pm

#Wests —Councillors ??! Please act. [DCC out of order.]

Image: wests.co.nz

Tue, 5 Jul 2016
ODT: Liquor licence appeal baffles Wests
Public Health South and the Dunedin City Council’s decision to appeal the renewal of a Dunedin soft drinks institution’s liquor licence is “bewildering in the extreme”, the company’s director says. Wests (NZ) Ltd was granted an off-licence in April after a battle from November last year by the company to renew its licence.

NAMES
The decision has been appealed by Public Health South medical officer of health Dr Marion Poore and Dunedin City Council licensing inspector Martine Cashell-Smith. The appeal will be heard by the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority next month.

—

Comment at ODT Online:

What is the Council doing?
Submitted by Challispoint on Tue, 05/07/2016 – 10:14am.

This morning I sent the following letter to each of the DCC Councillors as I am furious they are picking on this great local business.

Dear Councillor –

I read with dismay your Council’s decision to appeal the West’s licence renewal after 139 years of exemplary service to the people of Dunedin. Your action appears to be a further example of the Dunedin City Council’s failure to support local businesses, and confirms a complete lack of appreciation for your voters’ opinion on this issue.

If you are going to argue, as I am sure you are, that you have no choice as you must act within some law which demands shops cannot sell alcohol and lollies then you will have my complete support to shut down Wests after you have taken action against the two main Countdown Supermarkets in Dunedin. In both these operations you cannot enter the stores without passing the highly discounted alcohol on sale. If you are not prepared to act against these stores, then your action against Wests is nothing other than bureaucratic bullying at its worst.

Having made so many negative decisions affecting the people of South Dunedin in recent times, I suggest you do not add this action to your list.

I ask that you immediately withdraw the Council’s appeal against the re-issue of West’s licence and act instead to support this longstanding, excellent, South Dunedin business.

WESTS is proud to be New Zealand’s oldest continuous manufacturer of Cordials and Soft Drinks. The Wests brand began back in 1876, the same year another local family, the Speight’s, began their brewing business….

Website: http://www.wests.co.nz/

█ Read about the history of the company and what it does now at http://www.wests.co.nz/history

Otago Daily Times Published on Aug 26, 2015
Making of a Wests soft drink bottle
The staff at Wests are fizzing with excitement because the company’s own automatic bottle-moulding machine has just produced its millionth bottle.

—

Posted By Elizabeth Kerr

18 Comments

Filed under Business, Coolness, DCC, Democracy, Design, Dunedin, Economics, Innovation, Inspiration, Leading edge, Media, Name, New Zealand, People, Politics, Project management, Property, Public interest, Resource management, Site, South Dunedin, Tourism, Travesty

Tagged as Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority, Appeals, DCC, DCC licensing inspector, Dunedin City Council, Liquor licensing, Public Health South, Retail, Soft drinks manufacture, South Dunedin, Wests (NZ) Ltd

by Elizabeth | May 5, 2016 · 7:12 am

NZ Loan and Mercantile : Concept and master plan by architect Paul Ries

Letting the building “tell its story”, involves retaining and keeping exposed as many historic features as possible.

### ODT Online Wed, 4 May 2016
Redevelopment revised (+ video)
By Vaughan Elder
Owner Russell Lund’s previous plans to redevelop the three-storey 143-year-old heritage warehouse building in Thomas Burns St involved building 24 long-term apartments on the top floor, but he told the Otago Daily Times yesterday he had changed tack. He has brought over United States architect and friend Paul Ries, who has drawn up ambitious plans to convert the two top floors into more than 50 short-stay apartments, with the ground floor used as a commercial space.
Read more + Gallery

Otago Daily Times Published on May 3, 2016
Dunedin Loan and Mercantile building

█ Site Plan and Images: Paul Ries | Supplied by Russell Lund

█ For more, enter the terms *harbourside*, *heritage* or *lund* in the search box at right.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Building Owner | Architect

Filed under Architecture, Business, Construction, Coolness, DCC, Democracy, Design, District Plan, Dunedin, Economics, Finance, Heritage, Heritage NZ, Innovation, Inspiration, Leading edge, Media, Name, New Zealand, People, Pics, Project management, Property, Public interest, Resource management, Site, Tourism, Town planning, Urban design

Tagged as Adaptive re-use, Apartments, Building conservation, Business, Dunedin, Dunedin City Council, Dunedin City District Plan, Dunedin Harbourside Historic Area, Fryatt Street, Go-kart Building, Harbourside, Heritage, Heritage New Zealand, Heritage Re-use, Industrial heritage, Loan and Mercantile, NZ Loan and Mercantile Agency Co Ltd Building, NZ Loan and Mercantile Building, Otago Harbour, Paul Ries - Architect (US), Port 2 Zone, Queens Garden Heritage Precinct (TH12), Redevelopment, Resource Consents, Reverse sensitivity, Robert A Lawson - Architect, Short-stay accommodation, Steamer Basin, Stewarts Building, Thomas Burns Street, Tourism, Waterfront, William Mason - Architect

by Elizabeth | April 24, 2016 · 7:15 pm

Hong Sheng Chiong : Design Insights to preventable blindness —Smartphone retinal imaging

Sun, 24 Apr 2016
ODT: App a real eye opener
An award-winning Dunedin junior doctor has produced a world-first smartphone app to help diagnose people who may have sight-threatening illnesses. Dr Hong Sheng Chiong’s medical company oDocs Eye Care has created an app-kit that performs a similar function to $50,000 worth of eye-examination equipment. Already, 200 units have been sold around the world and the open-source product downloaded by more than 2000 people in countries including the United States, Indonesia, Mexico, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, Nigeria and Britain.

—

oDocs Eye Care will save the sight of millions by making affordable and accessible ophthalmic equipment.

“We care deeply about preventing blindness. We have committed to using half of our net profit toward saving sight in the regions where it is needed most. Its time to revolutionize eye health by building accurate equipment that is accessible and affordable. Visual impairment and blindness is a global problem, with 285 million people suffering with this disability around the world, 80% of these cases were preventable or treatable. It is unfortunate that a 90% of those cases are found in developing areas. Established in 2014 by Dr. Hong Sheng Chiong and Dr. Benjamin O’Keeffe, oDocs Eye Care (formerly OphthalmicDocs) is an innovative company in the field of portable eye care. With thousands of users, our social approach has inspired many others to join the initiative. You can contact us at info @odocs-tech.com or come have a coffee with us here at GridAKL, 101 Pakenham St West, Auckland, NZ.”

Website: http://www.odocs-tech.com/
About + Team: http://www.odocs-tech.com/about/
Facebook: ophthalmicdocs

—

[last year]

“We believe everyone deserves access to quality eye care. It’s supposed to be cheap, to help people in developing nations. So why would you put a label on it or mark up the price by 300-400%? Those things really make me sick.”
–Dr Hong Sheng Chiong

### idealog.co.nz 22 Oct 2015
One in the eye for blindness: the free app that thinks it’s an eye doctor
By Hannah Bartlett
A Kiwi eye specialist has invented a simple tool that turns a smartphone into a diagnostic tool – and now it has won the People’s Choice Award at this year’s Innovators Awards. In early May, ophthalmologist Dr Hong Sheng Chiong released a cunning 3D printable gadget that turns a smartphone into a retinal camera for eye examinations. Twenty four hours later, he woke to 150 emails. Another three days, and there had been more than a thousand downloads of his adapter, the OphthalmicDocs Fundus. It hadn’t cost anyone (except him) a penny.
And that’s just how Hong likes it.
By day, Hong runs the eye clinic at Gisborne Hospital. But in his spare time, he is working towards a wider goal: giving doctors in the third world the tools to detect – and therefore treat – preventable blindness.
The OphthalmicDocs Fundus (OphthalmicDocs is the name of Hong’s company; fundus is a scientific name for the retina) is a 3D printable gadget; basically a small arm which holds a condensing lens at one end and attaches to the camera part of a smartphone at the other. It turns a mobile phone into a retinal camera, which can look into the back of the eye, the most difficult area to view. Combined with the OphthalmicDocs Eye App, free eye-testing software containing tests and imaging, the camera puts a portable eye clinic in the hands of a doctor.
Hong says even eye charts on the wall of a clinic can cost thousands of dollars, so he’s converted all the basic vision tests into a smartphone-friendly app format.
Hong believes he has built the first, free, open-source eye equipment in the world. And that’s just how he likes it too.
Read more

—

TEDx Talks Published on May 22, 2015
Fighting blindness with $20 and a smart phone | Hong Sheng Chiong | TEDxAuckland
How Hong has managed to fight blindness with 20$ and a smart phone and in the process is changing how we think and create medical equipment.
Dr Hong Sheng Chiong is currently an eye doctor in Gisborne hospital. He completed his clinical training in Ireland before he crossed over to New Zealand where he initially worked as a registrar in neurosurgery and general surgery before he stepped into the world of eye. His main interests are eye regenerative medicine, bioengineering and telemedicine. His exposure to third world medicine in Kenya, Nepal and Malaysia have given him the insight to the burden of preventable blindness. He believes the problem lies in the access to quality eye care. In 2014, he founded OphthalmicDocs, an R&D company that focuses on the development of ultra mobile and economical eye tests and diagnostics devices. He has invented several eye imaging adapters that can be used in conjunction with a mobile application to diagnose and monitor eye diseases. Fighting preventable blindness is his career’s primary mission.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organised by a local community.
Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Images:
idealog.co.nz – slide 3 | smartphone retinal camera | TEDx 22 May 2015
odocs-tech.com – website image
globalwomensforumdubai.com – Hong Sheng Chiong

Filed under Business, Coolness, Democracy, Design, Dunedin, Economics, Geography, Innovation, Inspiration, Leading edge, Media, Name, New Zealand, People, Project management, Public interest

Tagged as 3D printers, App-kits, Applications, Design, Diagnostics, Emergency eye treatment, Eye health, Hong Sheng Chiong, Imaging, Medicine, oDocs Eye Care, Open Source, Open-source products, Preventable blindness, Smartphones, Social Media

by Elizabeth | April 22, 2016 · 3:32 pm

Prince [placeholder]

█ Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016)

CNN : Prince’s sound was as unique and transfixing as he was. He created what became known as the Minneapolis sound, which was a funky blend of pop, synth and new wave.

I am so saddened to hear of Prince's passing. Prince was a revolutionary artist, a wonderful musician and composer. Prince was an original lyricist and a startling guitar player. His talent was limitless. Prince was one of the most unique and exciting artists of the last 30 years. — Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) April 21, 2016

Minnesota Public Radio (US)
Fans, famous mourn Prince’s death
“Today, the world lost a creative icon,” President Barack Obama said in a statement. “Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent. He was a virtuoso instrumentalist, a brilliant bandleader, and an electrifying performer.”

The Guardian (UK)
Prince, superstar and pioneer of American music, dies aged 57
Purple Rain singer whose sprawling career spanned decades and genres dies at his Paisley Park recording studio in his home state of Minnesota.

Wikipedia: Prince (musician)

—

Sotiris Kafaridis Published on Apr 22, 2016
Prince – Live 2007 | Super Bowl XLI Halftime Show | FULL SHOW HD [redirect to YouTube]
A tribute to a legend that has passed too soon, take a look back at Prince’s iconic Super Bowl XLI Halftime Show through a rain and wind storm. Setlist included: We Will Rock You, Let’s Go Crazy, Baby I’m a Star (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover), Proud Mary, All Along the Watchtower (Bob Dylan cover), Best of You (Foo Fighters cover), and Purple Rain.
Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears at Dolphins Stadium February 4, 2007, Miami Gardens, FL – featuring Florida A&M University Marching 100.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Published on Apr 10, 2012
Prince, Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, Jeff Lynne and others — “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
Prince, Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, Jeff Lynne and others perform “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” at the 2004 Hall of Fame Inductions. http://rockhall.com/

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Images (from top):
theguardian.com – photo by Brian Rasic/Rex Features (396812dh) PRINCE VARIOUS
mprnews.org – photo by Stephen Chernin/AP. Prince performing at 10th annual Webby Awards June 2006, given the Webby’s Lifetime Achievement Award
theguardian.com – photo by Glen Stubbe/AP. Untitled, Goodnight Sweet Prince display screens in Target Field, Minneapolis
Prince – via ubergizmo.com | waytofamous.com | prince.org

Filed under Coolness, Democracy, Design, Events, Innovation, Inspiration, Leading edge, Media, Music, Name, People, Pics

Tagged as Guitar, Music, Phenomena, Prince

by Elizabeth | April 2, 2016 · 4:55 am

Dame Zaha Hadid 1950 – 2016

31 March 2016 | Miami
The acclaimed Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, the first female winner of the top Pritzker Architecture Prize, has died at the age of 65. Born in Baghdad in October 31, 1950, Hadid first studied mathematics at the American University in Lebanon, before pursuing architecture at the Architectural Association in London in 1972. In 1979, she established her own practice in London, the Zaha Hadid Architects.

—

Last year it was announced that British architect Zaha Hadid was to become the 2016 recipient of the Royal Gold Medal for architecture, marking the first time a woman has won the prize in her own right. Awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects, the medal is presented annually in recognition of a significant contribution to the profession. Hadid is the first women without a male partner to win the award in its 167-year history. Hadid said she was proud to be the first woman to receive the honour in her own right. “We now see more established female architects all the time. That doesn’t mean it’s easy,” she said.

Necessarily having to disperse effort through a studio production, rather than being a lone artist, she cottoned on to the potential of the computer to turn space upon itself. So Zaha with her mathematics background seized upon this, she has been smart enough to pull in some formidable computational talent without being phased by its ways. Meanwhile, with paintings and special small drawings Zaha continued to lead from the front. Read more at Dezeen

Rosey Chan Published on Sep 28, 2013
“Parametricism” by Patrik Schumacher – Zaha Hadid Architects – AADRL
Music by Rosey Chan – entirely recorded on acoustic piano + prepared piano

Dezeen Published on Dec 2, 2015
Zaha Hadid unveils prefabricated Volu dining pavilion at Design Miami
Architects Zaha Hadid and Patrik Schumacher have designed a dining pavilion shaped like an open clam shell.

—

█ Zaha Hadid Architects http://www.zaha-hadid.com
An international architecture and design firm founded by Zaha Hadid, with its main office situated in Clerkenwell, London. We work at all scales and in all sectors. We create transformative cultural, corporate, residential and other spaces that work in synchronicity with their surroundings.
950 projects 44 countries 400 staff 55 nations | About us 1 year ago

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Architecture Today Published on Mar 21, 2016
Library and Learning Center – Campus WU / Zaha Hadid Architects
Project Development and Structural Engineering: Vasko + Partner Ingenieure (Vienna). Video by Damir Kovačić, for the video exhibition series Austrian Architecture Today. Music: The Jazz Piano – Artist: Ben Sound

ArchiveTecture Published on Oct 27, 2015
Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Centre by Zaha Hadid
A new performing arts centre housing five theatres, music hall, concert hall and opera house – conceived as a sculptural form, emerging naturally from the intersection of pedestrian pathways within a new cultural district – a growing organism that spreads through successive branches which form the structure like ‘fruits on the vine’.

SOHO China Published on Oct 8, 2014
The Story of Wangjing SOHO: Exclusive Dialogue with Zhang Xin and Zaha Hadid
SOHO China’s Wangjing SOHO, designed by Pritzker Prize winning architect Dame Zaha Hadid opened 20 September 2014, with over 20,000 visitors to Beijing’s newest architectural landmark. In a live dialogue, SOHO China CEO Zhang Xin interviews Pritzker-winning architect Dame Zaha Hadid to uncover the inspiration her design language.

SOHO China Published on May 27, 2014
Musical Interlude at Wangjing SOHO 望京SOHO水景巅峰之境
This video highlights the spectacular water features and landscape design of one of Beijing’s newest landmark architectures. Wangjing SOHO, designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, covers an area of 115,392 sq metres with a total construction area of 521,265 sq metres, and is comprised of three highrise mixed-use office and commercial buildings, and three lowrise commercial buildings, the tallest tower having a height of 200 metres. Upon completion of construction in 2014, Wangjing SOHO will be the first tall landmark architecture visible en route from the airport into the city.

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ARk1T3CH Published on Jan 2, 2014
Who Dares Wins • Zaha Hadid
BBC Scotland [2013] – Español CC (duration 1:10:39)
█ [profile interview and backstory]

Dezeen Published on Aug 14, 2015
Zaha Hadid wins contest for landmark bridge across Taipei’s Tamsui River
This animation by MIR and Morean shows Zaha Hadid Architects’ proposal for a 920-metre-long bridge across the mouth of the Tamsui River in the Taiwanese capital. Billed as “the world’s largest asymmetric cable-stayed bridge with a single tower”, the Danjiang Bridge will be supported by just one 175-metre-high concrete mast to reduce its visual impact on the Taipei skyline. Its steel deck will create a new route for cars, trains and pedestrians, easing congestion on existing transport networks. Zaha Hadid Architects – which has previously completed bridges in Spain and Abu Dhabi – is partnering with engineer Sinotech Engineering Consultants and master builder Leonhardt, Andrä & Partner on the project. Read more at Dezeen

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Portraits: Zaha Hadid – Philip Sinden | Mary McCartney

5 Comments

Filed under Architecture, Business, Construction, Coolness, Design, Economics, Geography, Heritage, Infrastructure, Innovation, Inspiration, Leading edge, Media, Name, People, Politics, Project management, Property, Resource management, Site, Stadiums, Structural engineering, Tourism, Town planning, Transportation, Urban design

Tagged as Architects, British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, Buildings, Dame Zaha Hadid, Design, Master architect, Parametricism, Pritzker Architecture Prize, RIBA Stirling Prize, Royal Gold Medal for architecture, Superstructure, Trailblazing, Zaha Hadid 1950 - 2016

by Elizabeth | March 31, 2016 · 1:47 pm

Ratepayers achieve for Kaipara District —what Dunedin counterparts fail to do for spurious ‘pet projects’

Link + message received.
Thu, 31 Mar 2016 at 8:24 a.m.

█ Message: Maybe time to revisit Jacks Point and Luggate? …

—

The Mangawhai wastewater scheme cost about $63.3 million. Overall costs were not just financial, the Auditor-General’s report said. “They included a failed council, councillors replaced with commissioners, the departure of a chief executive, a severely damaged relationship between the council and community, an organisation that needed to be rebuilt, and much more.”

### Stuff.co.nz Last updated 17:21, March 30 2016
Dispute settlement sees Auditor General pay nearly $5.4 million to Kaipara District Council
About $5.375 million will be paid to the Kaipara District Council by the Auditor-General’s office now that a dispute between the two has been settled. Mediation of the dispute over audit issues around the controversial and costly Mangawhai wastewater scheme was held by retired High Court judge Rodney Hansen QC, without any admission of liability and for each party to cover their own litigation costs.

Auditor-General Lyn Provost’s scathing inquiry report to Parliament in December 2013 outlined “a woeful saga” surrounding the community wastewater scheme, managed by the then-council between 1996 and 2012. It covered roles played by other agencies, including the Controller and Auditor-General’s office. The inquiry found the council failed to adequately perform its responsibilities to the community in connection with the wastewater scheme. The council itself alleged the Auditor-General did not identify these failings in a timely manner and take appropriate steps to bring them to the council’s attention. It also alleged some of the poor decisions it made could have been averted if the Auditor-General’s office had performed its responsibilities appropriately.

The Auditor-General offered an unreserved apology in the report to the Kaipara district community for the office’s failings in some of its work, but disputed the council’s damages claim. In particular, the Auditor-General considered the council had the responsibility to comply with its statutory obligations, and its failure to do so is not attributable to the Auditor-General’s office. The dispute was settled with neither party admitting liability but the Auditor-General’s office agreeing to pay $5.38 million to Kaipara District Council.

A rates revolt began as costs were included in Mangawhai rates, with some properties connected to the new scheme now paying around $3000 annually in rates. Kaipara District Council commissioner John Robertson said the council was pleased to see a positive outcome from the High Court action it took against the Auditor-General in 2014. “If we hadn’t got an outcome we would be back in court and facing all the risks of whatever judgments go on these sorts of things.”

The Kaipara District Council has two more court battles pending with Mangawhai ratepayers.
Read more

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

8 Comments

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Tagged as Accountability, ADOTROL, Appeals, Arrogant Disregard Of The Rule Of Law, Auckland Council, Auditor-General, Bruce Rogan, Bullying, Central government, Commissioners, Court of Appeal, Deceit, Democracy, High Court, Judicial Review, Kaipara, Kaipara Concerns, Kaipara District Council, LGA, LGRA, Local government, Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, Local Government Act 2002, Mangawhai, Mangawhai Residents and Ratepayers Association Inc, MRRA, New Zealand, New Zealand Bill of Rights Act, Newsletter, Northland, Office of the Auditor-General, Parallels, Penny Bright, Petition, Political parties, Public-excluded workshops, Rates strike, Transparency, Validation Act

by Elizabeth | March 30, 2016 · 4:58 pm

RNZ in Absolutely Great Form [broadsheet carks it, who? where?]

SAMPLE

### RNZ National about 1 hour ago
Toby & Toby on …. The newspaper apocalypse and Sonny Bill Williams’ incredible new look
OPINION: Toby Manhire & Toby Morris

Pardon?
“Newspaper apocalypse” is hyperbolic tabloidese, granted, but there’s a grain of truth there. In the UK, the final Independent newspaper was printed a few days ago, and the title now exists online only, with a much smaller, and less well paid, reporting staff. Hundreds of newspapers around the world have similarly folded, and many more are staring down the barrel, all since the Great Change.

The Great Change? Is this the bit about Sonny Bill Williams’ incredible new look?
No. That was shameless and misleading clickbait. Sorry.
Read more

█ A CIRCUMSPECT(ish) weekly column published every Wednesday, by graphic artist Toby Morris and journalist Toby Manhire. CLEVER RNZ, WOOP !!!

—

Related Post and Comments:
20.3.16 RNZ: ‘Is the ODT going OTT?’ #paywall

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

DPAG April #exhibition arrivals

[click to enlarge]

LIGHT SWITCH AND CONDUIT
The Jim Barr and Mary Barr Collection
9 Apr 2016 – 14 Aug 2016
This exhibition explores the relationship between artworks and the domestic context by delving into the personal collection of Jim Barr and Mary Barr. Light switch and conduit focuses on their recent period of collecting and brings together works by key figures in the rising generation of contemporary New Zealand artists, alongside more established New Zealand artists and several international artists as well. This exhibition includes work by Dan Arps, Fiona Connor, Simon Denny, Oscar Enberg, Glen Hayward, Kate Newby, Campbell Patterson and Luke Willis Thompson. Link

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Michael Parekowhai Canis Minor 2016 (detail), Axminister carpet, brass, bronze, c-type photograph | Photo: Max Bellamy

Section 12 Electoral Rights
Section 13 Freedom of Thought
Section 14 Freedom of expression*
Section 15 Manifestation of religion and belief
Section 16 Freedom of peaceful assembly
Section 17 Freedom of association
Section 18 Freedom of Movement

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Tagged as Art, Art museum, Billy Apple and Dr Craig Hilton, Contemporary art, Design, DPAG, Dunedin, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Exhibition design, Exhibitions, Galleries, Jim Barr and Mary Barr Collection, Light switch and conduit, New Zealand, New Zealand artists, The Analysis of Billy Apple's Genome, Visual arts

by Elizabeth | March 26, 2016 · 6:19 am

New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 —Section 14

█ The Act (government legislation): http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1990/0109/latest/DLM224792.html

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
About the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (Guidelines) Link

The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 [NZBORA] was enacted to affirm, protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms in New Zealand. The Act also affirms New Zealand’s commitment to the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on which the rights and freedoms it contains are based.

When it was enacted, the Bill of Rights Act did not create any new rights but merely confirmed existing common law rights. The Act does not reflect all ICCPR rights; however, section 28 provides that, just because a right or freedom is not expressly provided for in the Act, that does not mean that the right or freedom does not exist or is otherwise restricted. The right or freedom is given effect by other legislation and by common law. For instance, while the ICCPR contains a right to privacy, the Bill of Rights does not. Nonetheless, the Privacy Act 1993, together with the common law tort of privacy, provides for rights of personal privacy.

The rights and freedoms
The Bill of Rights Act affirms the following rights and freedoms:
● the right not to be deprived of life (section 8)
● the right not to be subjected to torture or cruel treatment (section 9)
● the right not to be subjected to medical or scientific experimentation (section 10)
● the right to refuse to undergo medical treatment (section 11)
● electoral rights (section 12)
● the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion (section 13)
● the freedom of expression (section 14)
● the right to manifest religion and belief (section 15)
● the freedom of peaceful assembly (section 16)
● the freedom of association (section 17)
● the freedom of movement (section 18)
● the right to freedom from discrimination (section 19)
● rights of minorities (section 20)
● the right to be secure against unreasonable search and seizure (section 21)
● the right not to be arbitrarily arrested or detained (section 22)
● rights of persons arrested or detained (section 23)
● rights of persons charged with an offence (section 24)
● rights to minimum standards of criminal procedure (section 25)
● the right not to be liable to retroactive penalties or double jeopardy (section 26), and
● the right to natural justice (section 27).

Application
The Bill of Rights Act is designed to protect individuals (natural persons) and legal persons (such as corporations) from the actions of the State (section 29). The Act applies to any acts done by the legislative, executive or judicial branches of the government, or by any person or body performing a public function, power or duty conferred or imposed by or pursuant to law (section 3).

Limitations
The rights and freedoms contained in the Bill of Rights Act are not absolute but may only be subject to reasonable limits that are prescribed by law and can be “demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society”. If a limitation does not satisfy this test then the legislative provision, policy or practice is inconsistent with the relevant section of the Bill of Rights Act.

The Bill of Rights Act does not have the status of supreme law. This means that the Courts cannot use the Act to repeal, revoke, or invalidate other legislation. In the event of an inconsistency between the Bill of Rights Act and another enactment, the other enactment must prevail (section 4). The Bill of Rights Act, however, includes two important safeguards to help protect human rights.
Cont/

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Douglas Field 25.3.16

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
█ The Guidelines on the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990: A Guide to the Rights and Freedoms in the Bill of Rights Act for the Public Sector

Introduction to sections 12 – 18: Democratic and Civil Rights Link
Sections 12 – 18 of the Bill of Rights Act concern the fundamental rights and freedoms that are essential to an individual’s effective representation and meaningful participation in the public life of a democratic society.

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█ Section 14 – Freedom of expression Link
Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and opinions of any kind in any form.

[excerpt]
What every policy analyst needs to know about section 14:

● There are very few activities that will not be protected by the freedom of expression because most human activity has an expressive element (including political, artistic and commercial expression).
● Speech or an expression that is considered important to the ability of individuals to participate in core democratic processes, for example in elections, and political and social speech, is likely to enjoy a very high degree of protection.
● A fundamental aspect of the right to freedom of expression is that it extends to protecting all information and opinion, however unpopular, offensive or distasteful.
● The right generally protects all expression that conveys or attempts to convey meaning except expressive activity that takes the form of violence.
● Even though the right extends to all types of opinions, certain categories of expression (e.g., advertising, pornography or speech that incites racial violence) are more likely to be subject to reasonable limitations than others (e.g., political and social speech).
● The scope of section 14 means that as all forms of expression except those that take the form of violence are protected by the right, any restriction on expressive activity will be considered in the context of section 5 of the Bill of Rights Act.
● Freedom of expression includes the right to say nothing or the right not to say certain things.
● The opinions or views do not have to be held by that individual – the protection broadens out to include anyone else who subsequently communicates or disseminates those ideas or opinions.
● The right to seek and receive information may involve consideration of other statutory frameworks such as the Official Information Act 1982 or the Privacy Act 1993.

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█ In Brief: Your rights under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act (PDF)
[click to enlarge]

█ Enter the terms *removed*, *post removed* or *video animation removed* in the search box at right.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr