Climate change challenges to health
The Academy of Science brought together young researchers and leading scientists to discuss climate change and its impacts on health.
Climate change and health Think Tank
Climate change challenges to health
The Academy of Science brought together young researchers and leading scientists to discuss climate change and its impacts on health.
should we trust scientists
Naomi Oreskes: Why we should trust scientists
(From YouTube) Many of the world’s biggest problems require asking questions of scientists — but why should we believe what they say?
Remember Pig Iron Bob
Something to remember: Pig Iron Bob
Bob Menzies, the hero of the Liberal Party. Some of us have other thoughts about this man who wanted to sell out his country.
Climate Dangers
Climate Change dangers that Australia is ignoring
When you read the statistics on the range of dangerous changes already occurring to the planet because of climate changes, you do wonder about the stupid and dangerous decisions being made by the present Australian Government.
Suzanne Goldenberg has written that because of the changes to climate the world is nearly five times as dangerous and disaster prone as it was in the 1970s. Her reference is a new report from the World Meteorological Organisation.
Click here for that article.
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Paul Costigan, 26 July 2014
Chicago Millennium Park
Photo-Essay:
The park celebrated its tenth anniversary last June. This first image is from their own website.
Hospital Architecture Brisbane
Review: Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital
photographed late June/early July 2014 – due to open later in 2014
On two recent visits to Brisbane I noticed this new hospital building under construction in South Brisbane. I first noticed it as while crossing the river. I was impressed that at last there was something in the area that was not simply bland-box architecture. (click on photographs to enlarge)
Supermarkets
The duopoly of supermarkets in Australia
There is a very hard-hitting article in the August 2014 issue of The Monthly on how the two large supermarkets have been allowed to rip anyone and everyone off. Even more depressing is that it points to how we, as consumers, are continuing to allow this to happen.
The major point raised by the article is how this dominance of the two of these supermarkets has reduced the food security in this country.
Trust Scientists?
Naomi Oreskes: Why we should trust scientists
Many of the world’s biggest problems require asking questions of scientists — but why should we believe what they say? Historian of science Naomi Oreskes thinks deeply about our relationship to belief and draws out three problems with common attitudes toward scientific inquiry — and gives her own reasoning for why we ought to trust science. (From YouTube)
Naomi Oreskes is an American historian of science. She became Professor of the History of Science and Affiliated Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard University in 2013, after 15 years as Professor of History and Science Studies at the University of California San Diego. (Wikipedia)
Al Gore
Al Gore writes on optimism in dealing with Climate Change
In an article in Rolling Stone, Al Gore provides some very welcome optimism on how we may yet deal with the coming climate change events.
The article is very very long. It takes quite a commitment to allow the time to get through it all.
It is worth it! Happy reading. Click here.
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Paul Costigan, 20 July 2014
Al Gore: New Hope for Climate
Al Gore writes on optimism in dealing with Climate Change
In an article in Rolling Stone, Al Gore provides some very welcome optimism on how we may yet deal with the coming climate change events.
The article is very very long. It takes quite a commitment to allow the time to get through it all.
It is worth it! Happy reading. Click here.
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Paul Costigan, 20 July 2014
Far East Organization Children’s Garden, Singapore
Far East Organization Children’s Garden
at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
I spotted this YouTube introduction to the Far East Organization Children’s Garden at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore.
Continue reading Far East Organization Children’s Garden, Singapore
National Capital Authority
The NCA is no longer relevant
An opportunity has presented itself with the Commonwealth Government’s announcement to allow the National Capital Authority (NCA) to open up the Parliamentary Triangle to more commercial opportunities. (CT 12 July, Page 1, Shopping in the triangle? It’s a private matter)
I have no problem at all with more commercial activity happening within the Parliamentary Triangle. The question is just how to intelligently implement such a change to this landscape that presently serves as a national monument.
Goulburn
A Photo-Essay
Here’s a small group of photographs from a recent visit to Goulburn on a very cold winter’s day. I managed to take a few moments from the business trip to snap a few photographs.
Click on any photograph to enlarge.
Brisbane, photo-essay
Brisbane, photo-essay
Here are a few photographs taken near the Roma Street Parklands in mid winter 2014. This time of the year makes for wonderful light. Please click on any of the images to enlarge them. I enjoyed this image because of the shadows and the light, the plants were being highlighted, and of course the texture and mass of the rock wall.
Near Roma Street Parkland entrance, July 2014
Trees
Comment on the Art of Trees
I have said it before and am happy to say so again, I live in a suburb in Canberra that has a fabulous amount of trees. The amount of trees in the public arena, streets and parks etc, combined with those throughout the residential properties delivers an ambience that is hard to explain to anyone who has not experienced it. With our local trees comes other biodiversity and heaps of bird life. Researchers have just worked this out. Click here for a story on this.
Trees and sustainable settlements
Comment on the Art of Trees
I have said it before and am happy to say so again, I live in a suburb in Canberra that has a fabulous amount of trees. The amount of trees in the public arena, streets and parks etc, combined with those throughout the residential properties delivers an ambience that is hard to explain to anyone who has not experienced it.
Landscape acoustic barrier
Landscape Art as acoustic barrier
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is located in one of the most densely populated areas of the country, and aircraft noise is a problem in the surrounding cities. Low-frequency ground noise created at take-off is especially difficult to combat because standard noise barriers are largely ineffective against it. Schiphol is implementing acoustical landscaping in the form of large ridges that dampen longer wavelengths.
Urban Trees
Comment and Link to UK article on Urban Trees
I have the benefit of living in a suburb with plenty of tree cover. In fact the view outside onto the streets is almost as if the street is a parkland. The concept that any suburb should have an abundance of trees and shrubs and associated bio-diversity is simply so logical that one wonders why would anyone think otherwise.
Highway Arrows
Comment: Highway arrows and Not So Subtle differences
Having driven down many highways and sometimes wondered about those large arrows that point down, I was interested in a story from the Netherlands.
click on image for the story
Gender Inequity in Galleries
Confronting art world sexism
From an article by Jori Finkel in the Art Newspaper:
In New York, Sperone Westwater comes in at 91 versus nine. Team Gallery at 85 versus 15; Matthew Marks at 84 versus 16, and Mary Boone at 83 versus 17. Some of the top galleries in Los Angeles tell a similar story: Blum & Poe is 89 versus 11; Prism is 88 versus 12; Thomas Solomon is 85 to 15, and Patrick Painter is 83 to 17.
Capability Brown
Celebrating 300 Years of Capability Brown
click on the image below
Roma Street Parkland, Brisbane, Part Two
Review: Roma Street Parkland, Brisbane
Part Two: The Urban Development Atrocities
The Queensland state government spent millions on the Roma Street Parklands. This parkland was set to add huge value to any apartments built around its edges. One would have thought that the City would have insisted on at least some higher levels of design for such buildings. Continue reading Roma Street Parkland, Brisbane, Part Two
Roma Street Parkland, Brisbane, Part One
Review: Roma Street Parkland, Brisbane
Part One: It is about creative Garden Design
I first visited these gardens and parklands back in 2004 and was very impressed then. This parkland project was a major commitment by the then state government to re-develop a former industrial site and to join it to the existing Albert Park to form one larger parkland, the Roma Street Parklands. I highly recommend anyone and everyone visiting Brisbane to allocate at least an hour to wander about these parklands ten minutes or more away from the Brisbane CBD. (click on any image to enlarge it)
Children’s Garden
Far East Organization Children’s Garden
at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
I spotted this YouTube introduction to the Far East Organization Children’s Garden at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore.
Homeland
Review: TV on DVD
Homeland, Season Three 2014
I am not sure why, but I persisted to watch Homeland despite enough warnings in season two that the writers had lost the plot.
I start these comments with my recommendation so I can avoid providing spoilers for those who have not watched the third season of this TV series.
Architectural Eyesores
Comment: From James Howard Kunstler
James Howard Kunstler’s blog often has interesting points to offer in the debate about design and architecture and how it is assisting, or not, with solutions for the future.
Click on the image for eyesore of the month of June 2014. I do not always agree with what he sees as eyesores. But it a great start to any debate. In this case, yes, the tall towers’ days have gone but the developers and architects will stay with them while there is money to be made. Stuff the environment!
Click on the image.
Capability Brown
Celebrating 300 Years of Capability Brown
click on the image below
Urban Trees
Comment and UK Research
I have the benefit of living in a suburb with plenty of tree cover. In fact the view outside onto the streets is almost as if the street is a parkland. The concept that any suburb should have an abundance of trees and shrubs and associated bio-diversity is simply so logical that one wonders why would anyone think otherwise.
Unloved Art
Comment: Visual Arts
The debate about getting rid of previously loved artworks
The debate over what different people, institutions and township are doing with their formerly treasured artworks by Rolf Harris has been sad to watch. This style of artwork was always more of a populist marketing campaign. His art was and remains simplistic and very ordinary at best.
I was a little shocked when he was commissioned to paint a portrait of the Queen. Continue reading Unloved Art
Harvest at GOMA
Review: Visual Arts
Harvest: Art, Film + Food at the Queensland Art Gallery – GOMA
Our public galleries have wonderful collections. Collection exhibitions are often overlooked by the public as the marketing foolishly concentrates on the block busters and special exhibitions. This is a shame as the collection exhibitions are wonderful.
I welcomed the opportunity to visit Harvest: Art, Film + Food. To see this mix of art was indeed a welcomed experience. Continue reading Harvest at GOMA
Amazon
Another Amazon story
France takes a stand against the giant Amazon in an effort to safeguard its own culture of having viable bookstores. Good news for the French. Hope other are watching. Again, it may be time to shop anywhere but at Amazon. Click here.
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Paul Costigan, 29 June 2014
2014 World Architecture Festival Awards: Vertical Garden
Review: Landscape Design/ Vertical Garden
A submission for the 2014 World Architecture Festival Awards
A-Mazing Vertical Garden, Da Nang City, Vietnam
I came across this garden when looking through the short listed projects for the World Architecture Awards to be announced in Singapore in early October 2014. At first I was very impressed with the technical qualities and that it was a form of the old fashioned maze, but done with plants in a more sustainable manner.
Continue reading 2014 World Architecture Festival Awards: Vertical Garden
Brisbane Laneway Art
Review: Visual Arts in Brisbane Laneways, July 2014
The centre of Melbourne has a tremendous network of laneways. Many are well established as alternate routes to the main streets. Many of the laneways have cafes, and in more recent years, many have become havens for all manner of street art.
2014 World Architecture Awards
Comment: World Architecture Festival Awards
The 2014 World Architecture Festival Awards shortlisted projects have been listed online. It makes for an interesting read.
I have provided two links below. One with categories only – which means you have click-through to see more. The other is the full list. A number of Australian projects have been listed, including The National Botanic Gardens – these I have reviewed (click here) , so I will say no more.
Architecture Awards
Comment: Awards for Architecture
It has been a long puzzle of mine as to just what makes an architecture project an award-winning project. I know that it cannot be just who sits on the award jury and who knows who, so it must be something else.
Vertical Garden
Review: Landscape Design and Vertical Garden
A-Mazing Vertical Garden, Da Nang City, Vietnam
I came across this garden when looking through the short listed projects for the World Architecture Awards to be announced in Singapore in early October 2014. At first I was very impressed with the technical qualities and that it was a form of the old fashioned maze, but done with plants in a more sustainable manner.
I later searched for more on this and realised that it was very much a decorative maze in a resort in Vietnam. The resort being a re-use of a former French colonial resort. Below I have given a report on this garden from World Landscape Architecture.
Robyn Stacey
Review: Visual Arts
Guest Relations at Jan Manton Art
I had a chance last week to see Guest Relations, the exhibition of Robyn Stacey in Brisbane. As I had pointed out in my earlier review, it is a show not to be missed.
Click here for my former post.
Click here for words in Art Almanac
Click here for Jan Manton Art.
Click here for Stills Gallery, Sydney.
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Paul Costigan, 6 July 2014
Value the Landscape
How can we work with the landscape to make liveable places?
A video, about six and half minutes, introducing the concept of valuing landscape and the link to liveable settlements.
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see also – Sustainable Sites Initiative
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Paul Costigan, 24th June 2014
100 Canberra Houses
Review: Book
100 Canberra Houses: A Century of Capital Architecture / by Tim Reeves and Alan Roberts
This book about housing in Canberra is welcomed by those amongst us who would love to see more good design in the provision of houses in Canberra. Much of Canberra, as with most places internationally, is presently being devastated with loads of new badly designed suburbs as well as very awful blocks of cheaply rendered apartments being foisted on the older inner suburbs. The authors of this book are to be congratulated for illustrating that the architecture for residential properties can be something to be enjoyed.
Value Landscape
How can we work with the landscape to make liveable places?
How the liveability of our cities means designers and planners working with the landscape rather than against it.
A video, about six and half minutes, introducing the concept of valuing landscape and the link to liveable settlements.
Canberra Architecture
Review: Book
Canberra Architecture, Andrew Metcalf
Watermark Architectural Guides, 2003
I picked up this book quiet a while ago but it is only now that I have had time to look through it. I am glad I did, as after reading through quite a bit of it, I have become more aware that Canberra has a reasonable amount of good and notable architecture.
I have a quiet interest in good architecture and have spent some energies complaining about the current crop of badly designed houses and commercial buildings being thrust onto Canberra. Residents have despaired that good design in our civic areas and suburbs has become a thing of the past.
Solar: Good Behaviour at Home
Political Comment
The Prime Minister and Solar and how good behaviour starts in your own backyard.
It well established that how people behave in their own back yards normally reflects their attitude to the world outside their household. Our Prime Minister is having his house, The Lodge, refurbished. This was well overdue.
Faked, Forgotten, Found
Good News Story: Not everything that is fake, is what it seems
A good news story from the Art Newspaper about paintings that were destined to shunted off the scene as they were obvious fakes. After some work by clever conservationists, some secrets were revealed and the paintings are in fact highly prized treasures. To featured in an exhibition: Faked, Forgotten, Found.
A good news art story. click here.
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Paul Costigan, 29 June 2014
Climate Change
A report from Bill McKibben
Reporting on the possible end game in Climate Change – three books mentioned.
A Government Most Foul
Comment: while Clive distracts, this foul government moves against refugees
This country via its elected government has moved to do the unthinkable.
While we all thought that our government was already dealing out extraordinary cruel treatment to people who have had to leave everything and seek asylum in Australia, the Immigration Minister has proposed more foul legislation for Parliament to consider.
Sustainable Sites
Announcing new Tools
The Sustainable Sites Initiative 2014
The Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES™) is a program based on the understanding that land is a crucial component of the built environment and can be planned, designed, developed, and maintained to protect and enhance the benefits we derive from healthy functioning landscapes. Sustainable landscapes create ecologically resilient communities better able to withstand and recover from episodic floods, droughts, wildfires, and other catastrophic events. They benefit the environment, property owners, and local and regional communities and economies.
Anna Zahalka
Review: Visual Arts
Anna Zahalka’s 2013 Parliament House commission
On Exhibit at Parliament House in Canberra are the commissioned photographs by Anna Zahalka (click here). The photographs are of the staff who are normally behind the scenes and whose work is vital to so many operations within the building.
Manhattan: The Island at the Centre of the World
Review: Book
The Island at the Centre of the World: The Untold Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Founding of New York, by Russell Shorto, 2004
Surely the citizens of the USA would have by now have worked out the history about their first colonists.
They probably thought so until the research behind this book surfaced and now they can read about the real history from this author, Russell Shorto.
This book is the precursor to Russell Shorto’s later book, Amsterdam, reviewed earlier – click here. Both are fascinating reads.
Continue reading Manhattan: The Island at the Centre of the World
GoodBye Big Coal
Report Just in
Utilities wake up to threat of mass grid defection
A report on that the wake up call may at last have been heard by some of the energy suppliers.
As the reality hits home, some energy companies are realising that coal based energy may not be as a sustainable business model as the proposed by Australia’s foolish Prime Minister.
The Art of Trees
The Art of Trees and a new twist to the tale
Braidwood Kings Highway Trees
I refer to a former post (click here) in which I provided commentary about trees in several local location.
One key story was, and remains, the special lines of trees on the eastern and western entrances to Braidwood, in southern New South Wales.
Urban Beauty
Opinion Piece from PLANETIZEN
Does Beauty Still Matter?
Dealing with contemporary planning agencies has become a very stressful task for any person with concerns for their immediate and future urban environments.
Melbourne’s Urban Forest
City Council policy to address Climate Change
Always good to check if any Australian City Councils are taking actions and setting targets despite the dangerous attitude of our Federal Governments.
Melbourne City Council has an Urban Forest Strategy to increase markedly its tree coverage across the city (remembering this is the inner city council – who knows what the rest are doing!).
Sydney Urbanity and Architecture
Is architecture is failing contemporary Sydney? Part One
There is no doubt that the City of Sydney and its harbour are magnificent to behold. (click on the photo to enlarge). The mix of built structures really makes for a view that demands you take the time to stare, contemplate and to just enjoy it for as long as it takes. However…..
Urban Agriculture
From ASLA The Dirt: Is Urban Agriculture Utopian?
(part of the series on the 2014 Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) conference
“Urban agriculture is a phenomenon today,” said Farham Karim, an architectural historian at the University of Kansas, at the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) conference in New Orleans. Upwards of 70 million people are now involved around the globe — on Farmville, at least, the popular game app, he laughed. But, in reality, there are many tens of millions farming on the ground, too. With all the growing interest, Karim played devil’s advocate, wondering: is urban agriculture scalable? And who is going to be doing all this urban farming? And if we know it’s not a cost-effective solution for solving the world’s food problems, why the persistent interest?
click here for the full article.
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Paul Costigan, 17 June 2014
Robyn Stacey
Review: Visual Arts, Photography
Robyn Stacey at Jan Manton, Brisbane
Guest Relations Brisbane
I have stayed in many hotel rooms in many cities and towns. The experience of being in a hotel room, although now it is mostly apartments, is usually enjoyable but always with a tinge of weird. You enter this borrowed space and establish your presence while always being aware of the temporary nature of your stay.
Our Dog Shakey
The problems with our new dog Shakey
We live in a street that is inhabited by many dogs. Nearly every neighbour, near and far, has a pooch.
Most of these animals are quiet. Full credit to their owners. But we have the honour of having a couple that do let their presence be known with some barking. I have posted before about not so nice dogs and their owners. (click here) Continue reading Our Dog Shakey
Without You
Review: TV program on DVD
Without You with Ann Friel, on DVD – three-part mini series.
This three-part mini series was viewed in one sitting on a cold and wet Saturday evening.
The story’s focus is how a married woman copes with the sudden death of her husband of 12 years. To that add that she quickly has doubts about the car accident. She has to also deal with the doubts and stories about whether he was being unfaithful.
Sydney Urbanity & Architecture
Is architecture is failing contemporary Sydney? Part One
There is no doubt that the City of Sydney and its harbour are magnificent to behold. (click on the photo to enlarge). The mix of built structures really makes for a view that demands you take the time to stare, contemplate and to just enjoy it for as long as it takes. However…..
FX Harsono at the NGA
Review: Visual Arts
FX Harsono and Writing In The Rain
At the seminar at the National Gallery of Australia, the Indonesian artist FX Harsono made a presentation as an Indonesian of Chinese decent who is now researching and making art about the treatment of the Chinese communities in the early days of the Indonesian republic.
There’s a fantastic video on exhibition in which FX Harsono deals with his Chinese name, in that he is writing it continuously while other forces are washing it away.
Canberra Urbanity & Development
Recent Canberra Government development announcements
In recent weeks and months there have been several significant development proposals announced by the territory (ACT) government in Canberra. If all the government’s ambitions come to fruition then residents about to witness some very serious alterations and additions to the make-up of several parts of the inner city urban fabric.
President Obama on Climate Change
From the LA Times – Obama on Climate Change
Australians can only wonder what the President thought about after having his conversations with the Prime Minister of Australia knowing that this is the man who proudly said climate change is crap.
Canberra Urbanity and Development
Recent Canberra Government development announcements
In recent weeks and months there have been several significant development proposals announced by the territory (ACT) government in Canberra. If all the government’s ambitions come to fruition then residents about to witness some very serious alterations and additions to the make-up of several parts of the inner city urban fabric.
Hug A Climate Scientist
Time to hug a climate scientist
click on the panel above
Ian North on Canberra
Review: Photography
Ian North’s Canberra Suite Series 1981,
Canberra Museum and Gallery 2014
On exhibition: # 6, 11, 12 17, 20,24
It was while visiting the Canberra Gallery for another exhibition that we spotted these six works by the artist/photographer Ian North. On exhibition were colour photographs from Ian’s suite of 24 images, the Canberra Suite Series (1981).
Domestic Wind Power
Report on domestic wind power turbines
Silent rooftop wind turbines could generate half of a household’s energy needs
Architecture Marketing
Review: Architecture Exhibition
Architecture Marketing and
The Iconic Australian Houses at Museum of Sydney till 17 August 2014
Over the years I have ventured into many exhibitions on Australian architecture. Most have been so badly put together that to call them boring is an understatement. This is not to say that the architecture is the problem, it is clearly that bodies such as the Institute of Architects know how to talk themselves but have little idea of how to market to the wider general public.
Prince Alfred Park Sydney
Review: Inner city park/ Prince Alfred Park
The redevelopment of Prince Alfred Park Sydney
It should always be celebrated when a city council looks after its city parks. The property and development lobbies of this world see these public spaces as potential for profit-making development sites and would be always on hand to lobby for any reduction such public open spaces. Prince Alfred Park in Surrey Hills in Sydney has just benefited from a wise city council that has invested in some upgrades on this fabulous inner city parkland.
Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin
Comment: A memorial for Walter and Marion
Several months back there was an article by Christopher Vernon, of the University of Western Australia, putting forward the background and argument for a permanent memorial in Canberra for Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. Click here for that article.
There are various things scattered around Canberra that tell their story.
Continue reading Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin
Home Wind Power
Report on domestic wind power turbine
Silent rooftop wind turbines could generate half of a household’s energy needs
Three Photographs
Review: Photography
Three photographs, three photographers, and the contemplation of the women by women.
It was while visiting the Stills Gallery in Sydney to see the works by Mary Ellen Mark, that I was totally struck by the ambiance of a photograph titled: The Damm Family in Their Car, Los Angeles, California, USA, 1987. (it is reproduced larger below)
Besides the stand out nature of the total composition, the car, the children, the hands around the woman, it was the faces on the mother and the daughter that glued me for much more than the standard time one usually spends with any work in an exhibition. Then I could not help but return to it several times.
Just Say No
Comment: on being True to the Planet can mean sometimes you have to just say no.
How are we being served by our professions in their provision of buildings and landscape projects? The highest priority for the future of the planet remains that every action be taken in the context of addressing climate change adaptation.
climate and insurance
from the Guardian
article about climate impacts on property
Consumer and climate experts say extreme weather could raise insurance premiums and lower property values. This is something still being ignored as too many people have allowed the federal government misinformation campaigns to distract them from addressing these devastating issues. click here
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Paul Costigan 5 June 2014
Garden of the East: photography in Indonesia
Reminder Notice: Exhibition of photography
National Gallery of Australia
Garden of the East: photography in Indonesia 1850s–1940s
21 February – 22 June 2014, free entry to exhibition (note the exhibition is on two floors)
Continue reading Garden of the East: photography in Indonesia
Visiting the National Gallery of Victoria
Review: Gallery Visitor Experience
Visiting the National Gallery of Victoria*
One of the unfortunate outcomes of the marketing of our major art galleries is that so much emphasis has been placed on the special and blockbuster exhibitions. This form of marketing may be assisting with budgets, but this success is at the cost of letting people know about the galleries’ own collection exhibitions.
Climate Politics
Book Review: as posted on Inside Story
Power Failure: The Inside Story of Climate Politics Under Rudd and Gillard
By Philip Chubb, Black Inc.
There’s a good book review uploaded to the online site Inside Story. The book is The Inside Story of Climate Politics Under Rudd and Gillard.
Andrew Dodd provides a thorough overview of Philip Chubb’s insider account of the demise of Kevin Rudd’s climate scheme.
His review males the book to be essential reading. My stack of books is already too high so I have provided this review as a way of tempting others. Click here.
University Urbanity
Review: Campus Design
A review of new architecture and spaces within the ANU (Australian National University) Part One
Across Australia there are stand out examples of campus design amongst many of our universities. In more recent years I have had reason to visit campuses in all the states and back here in Canberra and have been constantly impressed with some of the architectural and landscape work. In most cases I have been positively impressed with the work and in others I have been taken aback.
all that green-wash
How those carbon offsets can do more environmental harm than good
Beware of all that green-wash.
Yet again there’s a nice piece on The Conversation about how we need to be far more serious about carbon. It also points towards the use of Green-Wash by corporations to allow them to continue with business as usual.
I have commented on this on our other blog – The Sustainable Settlements Institute – click here
Cars and design
Comment: Cars and Design
A few comments about cars and people and design
In 2014, contemporary car design is fairly mundane. Most car designers are pumping out things that are not attractive. Cars today seem to be suffering from either a lack of design or have a combination of tricky features pretending to be some form of design. So many cars today are simply very boring.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh Building
Latest News:
on the Fire in the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Building, Glasgow
The iconic library at Glasgow School of Art has been lost in the fire which swept through the Charles Rennie Mackintosh building on Friday. click here
And an interesting piece from a researcher – click here.
Urban Agriculture
Urban Agriculture – one part of the solution
from The Guardian, Designing cities and factories with urban agriculture in mind. The Netherlands offers inspiration for designers looking to create environments that harvest water, energy and nutrients.
Urban farms are transforming inner city spaces – rooftops, infrastructure, streetscapes, building skin – into generative ecologies that support the lives of people, and pollinators too. They are bringing into cities, and into plain view, the natural systems that sustain urban life
Equity in Australian Political Leadership
Politics and Equity
Once upon a time in the not too distant past a gathering of Australian State/Territory Premiers and the Prime Minister looked like this image below.
and now? Continue reading Equity in Australian Political Leadership
Canberra Visual Arts
Review: Visual Arts
May 2014 Visual Arts Exhibitions at M16 and the CCAS (Canberra)
Once upon time Canberra had heaps visual arts galleries to visit on weekends. Now there are but a few left. Last weekend I visited two publicly funded visual art spaces; being the M16 Gallery in Griffith and the Canberra Contemporary Art Space (CCAS) in Braddon. I can happily report that things are looking good and suggest you get out there and see for yourself just how both of these are traveling.*
Sustainable Communities South Australia
A web blog recommended
Sustainable Communities South Australia Inc.
Building resilient communities to achieve a one planet lifestyle
click on the image for more. and please let us know of others that we could feature.
Sue Ford Photographer at NGV
Review: Visual Arts/ Photography
Sue Ford, The National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, April – August 2014
This exhibition of the photography of Sue Ford (1943 – 2009) at the Victorian State Gallery (National Gallery of Victoria*) is a curious one. Click here – for their media statements.
As an opening statement I have to say that I did not find this exhibition as satisfactory as I had anticipated. Parts of the exhibition worked reasonably well, whereas other sections look as if someone was not sure what to do with the work, or that maybe they did not understand Sue Ford’s work.
Sam Hood Photographer
Comment: Photography
INSIDE-STORY: by Richard Johnstone
about Sydney photographer, Sam Hood.
Australia has a brilliant history of photography. There is a host of names that have been well published and are well documented.
There are also many who had a significant contribution in their day but who have slipped out of view.
David Hockney 2014
Comment: Visual Arts
David Hockney, The Arrival of Spring, May-July 2014,
Annely Juda Fine Art, London
I have been a follower of David Hockney’s work from the early 1980’s, when I first read a book on his early UK works. Since then I have followed his merry career as he has switched medium and taken on a range of subjects.
In general I like most of his work and remain intrigued by lots of the other. It was with interest that I spotted this London exhibition, all done on the iPad, listed online. Have a look and open up the images in large format. There is definitely something interesting going on here. Hope one day to get to London again to see some of these.
Click here for the exhibition notice and then click ‘full screen’ for the slide show.
Monument in the Landscape
Review: Visual Arts
Fabrice Fouillet photography: Colosses in the landscape
Photographer, Fabrice Fouillet, has a series of images of Colosses that were created to dominate and dwarf the landscape and buildings around them.
Lox and Neon
This year, Russ & Daughters, the acclaimed appetizing institution on the Lower East Side, turns a hundred years old. To celebrate the occasion, the fourth-generation co-owners are giving customers a place to sit.
Australian Women’s History Forum
The Australian Women’s History Forum – Great Debate 2014
Held in the Albert Hall, Canberra, on 26 March 2014.
The proposition was that ‘Australia doesn’t need Women’s History Month’. Continue reading Australian Women’s History Forum
Car Parking
Using Parking Meters in Climate Change
There are all sorts of stories in circulation in Canberra as a result of the decision to introduce paid parking for all areas within the Parliamentary Triangle. This has a big impact on those who work in the area. Some public servants are devising clever tricks to continue to have free parking.
This will also mean that visitors will now have to pay to visit the national institutions and have limited time to visit. This could be a marked change in how visitors regard the national cultural institutions. I know as a local, it will mean less visits to these institutions.
Anna Carey Photography
Review: Visual Arts
A small selection of work by Anna Carey
I have just come back from Brisbane and had the wonderful experience of seeing more photographs by Anna Carey. I have mentioned her work previously — click here for that post.
Something Really Scary
Politics Australia 2014 Style
Do you want to see something really really scary?
The Monthly has published an excellent article of the Abbott crowd and how his old boys are in charge. The image on the cover is worrying simply because it is so factual. The artist has captured their collective personalities far too accurately.
Do not show this image to children. Click here.
Brisbane Ugly Part Six
Urbanity: More on comments by Alain de Botton, Part Six of Six
That parts of Brisbane are ugly and the local government has allowed this to happen
Part Six of Six – some final words
See previous: Part One – Part Two – Part Three – Part Four – Part Five
Brisbane definitely would not win any ‘most attractive city award’.
Italy Infrastructure
Politics and Infrastructure, Italian Style
So we have governments in Australia trying to make political capital out of any proposals on infrastructure. Have we ever considered how other governments travel when it comes to delivering on infrastructure. Well let’s try Italy.
Brisbane Ugly Part Five
Urbanity: Following up comments by Alain de Botton, Part five/six
That parts of Brisbane are ugly and the local government has allowed this to happen
Beauty in urban development is something we should insist on!
Part Five of Six – South Bank and West End.
Links to all: Part One – Part Two – Part Three – Part Four – Part Five – Part Six
There is no doubt that there are aspects of Brisbane that a far more interesting than the city centre. South Bank and the West End are such places. South Bank Parklands have been managed well for years up till now – but I am not so sure about the current management.
South Bank is a place for leisure, for the family, for picnics, for food and cafes and the cultural centres, for events, and especially for culture such as visits to the state gallery.
City as Theme Park
Dear Venice: It just keeps getting worse
Any major city or city district has ambitions to attract tourists. When it works well everyone prospers and the locals can be happy. Tourists arrive and spend money.
Brisbane Ugly Part Four
Urbanity:
Following up comments by Alain de Botton, Part Four of Six
That parts of Brisbane are ugly and the local government has allowed this to happen
Beauty in urban development is something we should insist on!
Part Four – nearby the Brisbane Central District
Links to all: Part One – Part Two – Part Three – Part Four – Part Five – Part Six
There are aspects of Brisbane are beautiful. The river is magic. The photo above, taken some years back illustrates this. The evening lights enhance the unfortunate placement of major roads along the river’s edge. These freeways are transport engineering successes but are barriers to any hope of joining the city to the river.
Brisbane’s South Bank Corporate Equity
Comment: On equity gone missing!
Brisbane’s South Bank Corporation’s lack of equity in their management
It was while researching the background on my pieces on Brisbane and in particular on the South Bank Corporation, that I was checking on its corporate status when I came across a rude piece of evidence on the corporation. Continue reading Brisbane’s South Bank Corporate Equity
Brisbane Ugly Part Three
Urbanity: Following up comments by Alain de Botton, Part Three
That parts of Brisbane are ugly and the local government has allowed this to happen
Beauty in urban development is something we should insist on!
Part Three – Brisbane Central District
Links to all: Part One – Part Two – Part Three – Part Four – Part Five – Part Six
The central area of the city of Brisbane has evolved into a modern city with many historic buildings surviving. These heritage buildings are now surrounded by an over abundance of glass and concrete walls of taller office building. It is not a pretty sight.
Amsterdam
Review: Book
Amsterdam: A History of the World’s Most Liberal City, Russell Shorto, published 2013
If you have any interest in liberal thinking, tolerance and the enlightenment, then this is a book you must read.
Given the threats to these values almost daily by the current Australian government, it is a must to take time out and do a reality check on just how far backwards these elected clowns are trying to take us.
While obviously about the city, this book is really a celebration of the people and their influence on the whole western world.