Entering the City – a barbarian appraisal
Posted on 29. Jun, 2009 by Jacques Rene Zammit in Arts, Life
J’accuse is no architect and notwithstanding the ever-expanding ego does not deem itself an expert in the field of architectural appraisals. What follows is a barbarian appraisal of the sketches, plans and whatnot that have been unveiled for the hoi polloi to see and for the commentators (or bloggers as the Sunday Times editor seems to insist) to comment.
In primis we should say that we are always a tad bit mefiant (mistrusting) when it comes to abbozzi or models prepared by prize architects or upcoming upstarts alike. Whenever the work is actually finished the artist’s impression remains just that – an impression – and something gets lost along the way.
Having rid ourselves of that uncomfortable premiss let J’accuse also get rid of the part nobody could give a pig’s bottom (or a salvu balzan face, as the experts in anal discourse and bestiality seem to have decreed) about. J’accuse likes it. We mean the plan and not the swine’s rear-end.
And now for the candid, barbarian observation. What I find most thrilling about the whole shebang in a “I can’t wait to experience it” kind of way is not the Parliament house on stilts (a prize image for us commentators/bloggers) or the fact that 60 years later we decide to preserve the status quo for the Opera House ruins (luverly). Nor is it the ironic fact that the City Gate project will have anything but a gate (charming, and I’m serious).
What I do like is the idea of the subterrenean gallery that, if I read the dastardly sketches right (dastardly because they are miniscule online), should lead through the very entrails of the city for gentlemen and allow the visitor to surface magickally in the midst of what one supposes will be the hustle and bustle of the starting point of Strada San Giorgio (all right, Republic Street).
I recently went on a fleeting visit to the Italy city of Perugia. Having parked in Piazza dei Partigiani the easiest access to the city was through the Rocca Paoliana – a magical city under the city made up of old tunnels and galleries complete with escalators that led you to the very heart of the city. I remember thinking what a magnificent way to get the feel of a city and its history. Who knows, maybe Renzo Piano could have something like that in mind?
Then again, these are only the scrawls and ramblings of a barbarian.
*image taken from the OPM site: Valletta Projects
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I didn’t like it much, I have to say.
The “gate with no gate” is incomprehensible, as far a I am concerned – and what, in god’s name, is that species of gallows on top of the block which seems to be a leftover in a disused quarry?
As far as the “opera house” site(which Piano assures is “too small” without providing any facts to back it up) the proposed construction looks like nothing so much as a permanent construction site (it only needs a tower crane to complete the illusion).
Or, (as someone wittily said on another forum) a cage for King Kong.
The Parliament building is, I suppose, a matter of taste. Personally, I don’t like it at all.
For the record, the drawings are not at all small. Have you tried to click on each one? Try it and, as if by magic, a pdf will open with a larger-than-screen picture.
The second piece of information I have that might interest you, is that the ’subterranean’ gallery (as opposed to an above-ground gallery I suppose) already exists (part of the old railway network) under Freedom Square so it’s not “should lead through the very entrails of the city”. You talk about it as if it still has to be dug.
One last point: an opinion about the “scrawls and ramblings of a barbarian”. False modesty does not suit you. What comes across is the false, rather than the modesty.
@Antoine. Amusing. Your attempts at sarcasm, I mean.
When His Mistress’ Voice obliged to visit J’accuse he struggled hard to find something to pick on (for the record of course).
It’s “subterranean gallery” Antoine, as against “art gallery” or a “gallery” for whatever other purpose an architect might deem fit.
I don’t talk about it as if it still has to be dug. I talk about it as it might be redesigned. reimplemented , recycled. As your Mistress would say… don’t be stupid.
For the record Antoine, what record? This one is stuck on the same tune.
It’s not false modesty. It’s diminutio – read the Franklin man, read the Franklin.
Is this where all the negative people congregate? Bit old before your time, aren’t you? You’re going to be very attractive company in the old people’s home, I must say. The nurses are going to be queuing up to change your nappies, I don’t think. Xi dwejjaq ta’ nies. Il-vera qirda.
Jacques, there’s a golden rule for the idiomatic use of languages: humour doesn’t translate. If you’re thinking in Italian/Maltese/French, it bloody well shows. English actually has a word to describe your attempts at wit: clunking.
@Daphne: I’d stick to English corrections. You meant “qerda” as in “teqred” to nag, groan and complain, and you wrote “qirda” as in destruction. You could always claim that you had the second meaning in mind. Highly unlikely though – following the “dwejjaq” bit.
As for your question. No it’s not. There’s quite a few negative people congregating elsewhere. It depends on your point of view. Or taste. Taste, you know, is such a personal thing.
I’m not thinking in Italian/Maltese/French although I am quite capable of doing so. What “bloody well shows” is just an impression you have – a hunch. Of course since its you we are dealing with that impression or hunch is not only right but is also shared by tens of thousands of people.
I guess when my attempts at wit are not pleasant to whoever is on the receiving end they could come up with a plethora of English words and not just clunking. All the more to show that the wit has hit home.
Now you may get back to your old record collection. I’m sure you’ll love the tune being played there… and oh… don’t forget to take Antoine Vella with you… he’s ‘clunking’ the conversation here – and by the way, I’m not exactly concerned about being in an old people’s home just yet (let alone worrying which nurse is changing my nappy)… I’ll leave those worries to people who are closer to that kind of age group.
I meant qirda, Jacques, literally. Look at yourselves: a real bunch of positive thinkers and go-getters.
“I’ll leave those worries to people who are closer to that kind of age group” – and you are….what? Eight years my junior? Nine? The chances are that you’ll be in a home long before I am.
Brevity is the soul of wit, Jacques. That’s where you go wrong.
Of course you did. Of course you did. ROTFL (that brief enough?)
Prosy Points
It’s Rocca Paolina not Paoliana, named after a Pope Paul who reined, sorry reigned, in the 16th century.
Subterranean gallery refers to location while art gallery indicates use. You cannot have location as opposed to use so it’s not “subterranean as against art gallery”.
Why do you refer to yourself as “it”? Is it another diminutio?
You should thank Daphne for occasionally reminding her readers that your blog exists. This way you sometimes have an audience for your ramblings.
God I wish Daphne would start commenting on my blog – I can’t wait for my viewership stats to hit the roof!
Antoine, I’ve not had much time to count the number of people viewing my blog – happy for you to do that, if you’ve got the time.
Or else, if you’re so obsessed with viewership stats, start your own – or count the timesofmalta’s stats; after all, judging by the comments, it’s quantity that counts, right?
@Antoine Vella. Why don’t you try pulling that tongue of yours out of Your Mistress’ backside? You’ll find that the world is full of different tastes than the one you seem to be addicted to.
I don’t refer to myself as it. Read the piece again. And google whatever bit you do not understand.
Thank Daphne? LOL. Not exactly no. The day I’ll need to thank Daphne for anything blog-related pigs will fly. Speaking of which… loved the title of today’s blog post on the Runs Commentary. Now where did I see that feeble attempt at wit before? The Pigs Flu indeed…
Antoine Vella is one of the band of familiars who wait for Daphne to tell then what they should be thinking and then rush to be the first to tell her how much they agree with her.
And they know no differenr, cos all posts to the contrary other than a few mild one for variety) are either blocked or changed.
Tajba din Gakki. Ara dan is-sit:
http://professorwhatif.wordpress.com/2009/03/11/what-if-married-people-were-treated-like-singles/
@ Sully : Ma hemmx bzonn nibqghu ingibu ezempji ta’ tipi differenti ta’ zwieg. Dak li ghidt qabel ghadu jghodd… dawn il-fatti/ghidud/suppozizzjonijiet huma irrilevanti ghad-diskussjoni – min mizzewweg u min mhux, min kuntent u min mhux…. imma jahasra – x’ghandu x’jaqsam!!!
Distrazzjoni inutli u li tista tigi evitata.
Issa inkomplu fuq affarijiet iktar interessanti… stennew il-post li jmiss hux!
Issa daqshekk!
Comments closed for this item. Back to business.
U le Jacques – ha nzid kumment.
Daphne, I don’t know Bilbo, Ettore, Sully or Joe Cassar. I do know Jacques, and he is neither a ‘screaming queen’, a serial womaniser, married to somebody eight years his senior (with or without botox), or desperately in need of dating advice. As far as I can tell he should have no complaints at all as far as relationships go – with a woman, not that it should make an ounce of difference if it were a man.
But the bottom line is that his sexuality, sexual exploits and civil status should not matter, of course. I know several people who fit one or more of the disparaging descriptions who make better decisions than mum or dad of 2.4 children. I also know several mums and dads of 2.4 children who make excellent judgements. I know people who got married in their teens and never matured socially beyond playground insults, and I know others whose different experience gave them unique and intelligent insight. Stereotypes are of no use at all and only serve to engender pointless hatred(and the same applies to those who see fit to insult Daphne’s life experience and that of everybody else whose experience is similar).