AWFUL: Tagging

Definitions: Street Artists vs Taggers - what is vandalism, and what is art?

Over the years, I have considered what is street art and what is vandalism. On the one hand, some of my favorite artists come from the street art traditions. Keith Haring, Banksy, Shepherd Fairey, BASK, Os Gemeos, to name a few... have all come from a background of creating works of art that are illegal, but transcend vandalism.

The elusive Banksy, as example, is a guy whose work on a wall can mean a hefty windfall for the wall's owner if only they can figure out how to get it down and sell it. Keith Haring's subway chalk drawings sell for thousands. My sister owns one of those. I have a number of works from Florida artist BASK.

So why am I ruminating on this topic? Having spent the past 3 months in Europe, I've come to the cruel realization that very few of the wannabes running around with spray cans actually have anything to say, and what they do say, they say poorly. To me, a 'street artist' creates an image that makes me think, or laugh, or stop and take a picture. A Street Artist has talent - he or she is just choosing to display it in a manner that many find loathsome.... but its still art.

Here's the thing - I like good street art. I cannot tell you the shock I had when I was wandering in Sao Paulo and happened across a work by Os Gemeos. I was stunned. I almost lost my group while taking a picture. I soon discovered who they are and was glad for it.

But most spray can stuff on a wall is, well, pure crap. There is a seemingly endless supply of idiots out there who seem to think that simply applying paint to a flat surface makes them a 'street artist'. Sorry, slugger, not so. Your indecipherable scribbles, perfected over time in 10th grad science class, are just sad. Tagging is sad. Tagging is the teenage boy equivalent of a dog peeing on a bush, so all the other dogs know he peed on a a bush.

Every time I see this sort of thing, I shake my head and feel pity for the perp. Why? Why feel pity for these poor misguided talentless hacks? Because they think they are 'expressing themselves' and 'striking out at the man', when, in reality, all they are doing is ruining some little old lady's fence or making a shady area look a little more run down.

And here's the worst part: They are so dull that they would never understand how pointless and sad their vandalism actually is. In buying into the 'street artist' myth, one that has really passed its prime anyway, they are certain that one day, everyone will know who they are - and be impressed. All I am is sad for them that they are so talentless, that they cannot even see how talentless they actually are. All they accomplish is reminding us that they are non-entities.

So, yeah. Mutts peeing on a bush, so all the other mutts can know they were there, if only until the next time it rains.

AWFUL: When an icon is closed..... Berlin Siegessäule

OK, so I'm more than partial to this particular landmark, but not for any reason related to the history of the actual Siegessäule itself. Let me explain: A couple of decades ago, filmmaker Wim Wenders released a film so moving, so atmospheric, so beautiful, it only added to my desire to one day visit Berlin and experience this storied place. That movie, the 1987 Wings of Desire (Der Himmel über Berlin en Deutsche) is one of those films that is truly 'of its moment'


Its hard to explain the feeling of the late Cold War to those who were not there – that pervasive sense of melancholy, knowing that at any moment the world might literally end. The 1980s were a time of reaction – rejection of the malaise of the 1970s, the cold heart of Brutalism architecture, the disarray of the post-hippie era of institutional destruction. There was a resurgence of industry, finance and culture… What the 1960s & 1970s had destroyed, the 1980s began to rebuild.


So this movie, and this column, in a bleak black and white, centered upon people attempting to live normal lives in an unnatural state – caged by a wall, trapped in a city whose ruins from war still lingered 50 years on… whose scars were as yet unhealed… this movie is my touchstone for that era. The Siegessäule is the unwitting co-star to the ‘angels’ over the city of Berlin.


This landmark has had many lives: Symbol of Prussian military greatness, moved to be a part of Hitler’s proposed grandiose Germania rebuild of the city, then appropriated by Wenders to great effect for his love letter to Berlin. Nick Cave shows up and adds his plaintive voice to the mix, and for some inexplicable reason so does Peter Falk – acting the part of Columbo once again.


So, I got there yesterday… and this is what I found…

*sigh* The Victory Column is undergoing a massive restoration... and I am denied.

20+ years after the fall of the Wall, the column is being restored. There is an allegory here dealing with the resurgence of Berlin after the devastation and destruction that has been heaped upon it over the last few centuries... especially the last one. I'm almost sad that its taken me this long to get here - as if I missed the Berlin I thought I knew... the gritty, claustrophobic city is long gone, swept away in the almost overnight removal of the wall.


Potsdamer Platz, a wasteland in the era of the film, is now a sparkling new place trying to stitch the two halves of the city together again. And yet.... Potsdamer Platz is inauthentic. The 1960s church next to the bombed out Kaiser Wilhelm Cathedral is inauthentic.


Berlin is an ancient organic being with prosthetic attachments that simply do not quite fit.


Time will heal that of course - but between the melancholy sepia toned monochromatic world of Wenders and the shiny bright future to come is a moment when its not yet all working. For me, as a city planner, its a fascinating moment to witness, and yet my soul yearns for  the city on the screen... a city full of memories, scars and decay. The angst has seemingly gone with the zeitgeist....


Of course, I knew full well the changes hat have happened here since 1987 - and was prepared for them all... but this one place seemed timeless - it has survived so much ... I assumed I would be able to climb to the top and commune with that sculpture and privately relive those moments Wenders has immortalized in film. But no, I am to be denied that small moment. And when I return, the column will be all shiny and new - like the rest of Berlin, I feel as if I'm just a few moments too late.


Note: The first photo is not mine, I ganked it from the web using Image Search.

AWESOME: Viennese Cafe Society

AWESOME: So, during a few days here in Vienna, I have had the opportunity to try a few of the amazing cafes that Vienna is famous for. This missive comes from Cafe Central, a place that I have made my second home here in Vienna. Sure, it is a bit touristy as compared to some of the others... but the location and free wifi make it a winner.

This is what dinner looks like.

This is what dessert looks like:

I was also introduced to an awesome cafe called Phil by Jeremy, and also got to try out Cafe Diglas (est 1875)  - a place that actually takes over a chunk of street for outdoor seating. Brilliant really.

Screw you, Mr Traffic Engineer. The cars can just deal with the fact that we reclaimed a chunk of your street for more useful endeavours. Ha!

I'll leave this post with a pic of the dessert counter.... my sugar count went into shock just LOOKING at it.

PS: I did visit the home of the Sacher Torte - but the Viennese poo-poo the place as not so good. I had home made Sacher Torte at Ivanna's house last night.... OMFG yum.

AWESOME: Euro Rides

Whilst wandering my 'hood here in Berlin, I've noticed a lot of cars you never see in the US - some good, some bad. For the most part, this is a good thing. My first day here I saw a 59 Eldorado with its top down, and a 66-ish Mustang in a similar state. That was a good omen for a guy who, if he had Jay Leno's cash, would be out doing the same thing with it... minus the muscle cars. I prefer the gigantic parade floats and european rarities - but the impulse is the same.

First up - Smart and Mini Cooper (original). The Mini seems like a normal car until you put it next to a Smart. Now, Smarts somehow work in Berlin, unlike the US. There, they just look odd, out of scale, fragile. Here, they fit nicely amongst a set of vehicles that includes NO SUVs. Lovely. The Minis are everywhere. Probably seen a dozen of the older ones so far. Only a couple of the new models oddly enough.

Minis Rule.

And then theres this 1955 Porsche 550, James Dean edition (but without the custom crinkly bodywork) that was sitting on Munchner Strasse the other day. Yeah. Just parked like any other car. *sigh*

How about a late 70s MGB in orange parked in Mitte? I'm surprised to see one of these is still running. Ha~!  Q: Why do the British drink warm beer? A: Lucas makes their refrigerators! (Some of you will get that joke)

And whats this? A Peugeot 204 Cabriolet? Late 1960s according to the intertubes. Not a bad car, considering its French.

Say WHAT? A Porsche 968 in PURPLE? Lordy - terrible color.

Dear Audi: This thing is a laugh riot. The A2 was never brought to the US, and with good reason. Its silly. I guess every car marque gets a mulligan now an again... Please lets not talk of this again.

And, last but not least.... Ok. Least. The MIRTHMOBILE was spotted near my apartment. Seriously, there are none of these on the road in the US, how did one survive here?

I'll keep a lookout for more whacky and rare cars - I'm certain I've only see the tip of the old iceberg.

AWESOME: The Ubahn & SBahn

So, for 52€ a month I can go anywhere in Berlin from my home station (above) that I want. How awesome is that? I have noticed that the air smells just like the air in other subway systems I have traveled on. I find it oddly comforting. Kudos to the tagger who was able to stay within the lines.

The trains here really do run on time.

Reading the history of these systems, I learned the Ubahn was originally run by West Berlin, and the Sbahn by the East. When the communists built the wall, that changed of course, and the East also installed a big system of street trams that I have yet to use - but I'm sure that they will rock as much as the ones in Prague.

In the Alexanderplatz station I ran across these images in a connecting hallway. We met Robin van Arsdale back in the 90s - he was selling (through a gallerist friend) some of his collection of Keith Haring subway chalk drawings and my sister bought one. My parents purchased a piece of Robin's at that event. So it was interesting to randomly come across these two murals from 2003. Notice that many others decided to add to the murals.

I guess it is only fitting that taggers should deface the mural of a guy that started as a graffiti artist....

Lots of cyclists in the subway, and lots of crazy tile colors. I couldn't figure out if these were giant concrete block size tiles, or concrete blocks with glazed sides. Assuming that tile is cheaper and easier to make, I'm going to go with tile - but they are suspiciously the exact size of a block - and those curved corners are suspiciously block like. 

Does Bono get a royalty for this line?

AWESOME: Berlin Street Food - Been a while since I posted here...

So, I've been here about a week now and finally over the jet lag. Continental seems to have sucked the life out of the better experience of overseas travel. The seats were no larger than domestic, the food was awful and the drinks are no longer free. *sigh* I miss the old ways.

Oh, and the jackasses charged me an extra 50 bucks for my over weight bag (by 6 lbs). Hrumph. Needless to say, I will check two lighter bags on the way home and they can suck it.

First up on the yummy parade... pomme frites with mayonaise. I cannot explain it - but mayo here is a delight. At home, I cannot fathom the idea of placing our mayo on fries... but these fries are better and this mayo is made with amazing eggs... so there you have it. Damn these are good.

Second stop on the German street food course was the doner kebab. MMmmmmm. Similar to a gyro, but different enough to say I like it better. Heresy, I know. The meat is gamier - probably from being actual lamb, where in the US its mostly beef - the veggies (salat complex) is different (I will eschew the cabbage in the future) and the yogurt sauce too sparing.  (mehr joghurt-sauce next time).

Last up was the currywurst. A fried schweinfleish wurst with tomato sauce and curry powder. I have no explanation for this combination of food products on my plate, but I can report that it was delish. The fries were excellent too. Coca-Cola LIGHT baby. Oh, and every plastic bottle and can has a deposit included and you take them back to big automated machines to get a credit slip at the local markets. Pretty cool system I think. Americans would hate it.

AWESOME: Promoting Mid Century Architcture & Preservation

The Georgia State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has issued guidelines in evaluating ranch houses. The preservation community has actually been pretty slow to figure out that so many of those atomic age houses are now eligible for preservation status, and seem to not know what to do with them.

Of course, there are those who are on top of things, like Atomic Ranch Magazine. If you are not a subscriber, you should check them out. One of my fave things to get in the mail.

The state of Michigan SHPO has introduced an initiative called Michigan Modern that seeks to preserve and promote the buildings left behind by the industrial explosion that happened in Michigan in the 20th century.

Too bad the SHPO in Florida has done nothing like this. I saw the new director at a talk at the Harn Museum last semester and he seemed to have no clue at all about the subject. Director Scott Stroh gave one of the worst powerpoint presentations of all time. He yammered on about policy and procedure - and if I had been playing buzzword bingo, would have won by about his 4th slide. Truly, absolutely clueless. Sad really, given the wealth of mid-century gems scattered across Florida.

Top Ten Things I Have Learned Watching the FIFA World Cup

1. 45 minutes of play with no commercials is actually kinda cool.

2. The referees in FIFA play are absolute idiots.

3. Acting like someone punched you in the face will get you a reward (ask Brazil about that one).

4. Good sportsmanship is never to be considered when you can get a penalty kick by play acting. Someone call the Academy and get those Oscar noms ready.

5. The French can even screw up a game of soccer.

6. Watching the French screw up is always hilarious.

7. 90 minutes of running in circles with absolutely nothing happening is considered 'sport' by much of the world.

8. If America's not in it, Americans probably won't give a crap.

9. Even if America IS in it, most Americans still won't give a crap.

10. Vuvuzelas are even more annoying than rap 'music'.

AWESOME: Gainesville North Main St. & 4th Ave

AWESOME: Main Street in Gainesville FL is undergoing a "road diet" - a process that makes terrible roads into Complete Streets. A photo of the improved roadway shows two lanes instead of four, a center shared turn lane, bike and parking lanes. This process started on North Main, and will, over the next year, continue South to Depot Ave - all the way through Downtown to the soon to be built Cade Museum.

So, why choose this particular corner for some AWESOME? Well - its simple really - this corner features one of the Downtown area's simplest and most elegant mid-century buildings: Rip's Cleaners. Its a simple arrangement of angles, post and bean construction, and plate glass. Classic late 50s roadside drive thru design and a nifty angular steel sign combine to make a corner that many wouldn't ever notice, but there it is.

And what else makes this corner rock? Well, the NW corner features the Williams-Thomas funeral home. Nothing special there... and yet....

..... look at THAT! Some history minded business person decided to honor the horse drawn past of their trade, and built this little glass box to house the old hearse. How cool is that? A late 19th c. horse drawn wagon and a late 1950s dry cleaners building on the same corner... on a road that was just given a 2010 road diet makeover. That, my friends, is an intersection of eras that makes cities great places.

AWESOME: Sarasota Public Art

So, I was lucky enough to have been in Sarasota for a conference last week, and as I was departing came upon this public art:

Awesome. Turns out this gigantic sculpture after the famous photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt is entitled "Unconditional Surrender, and has caused quite a controversy in Sarasota. Seems the Art in Public places people simply do not approve of art that the public actually likes. Typical of tin-eared ivory tower types who aren't smart enough to leverage a popular piece to promote newer forms.

Newsflash: Art in public spaces is a program that requires public support. Once in a while its really smart to go with that which builds support for your program, even if its not 'pure art' by your cloistered academic definition.

PS: There was a big lump of something next to it that was undoubtedly an 'approved' piece of public art - no one was taking pix of that, and I'm probably the only one who noticed it going unnoticed.

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AWESOME: Kitch in the ATL

Drive-Ins are an endangered species for a lot of reasons, so its nice to see this awesome pylon of neon advertising SIX, yes SIX screens of celluloid goodness. The stars blink and the glow of the tubes warms my heart. I took a lot of shots of this spot, but this was my fave - the world needs more great neon signs.

Up on Ponce de Leon is this fading sign, a victim of the digital camera that was used to capture its faded glory. Signs used to be works of art, and I'd love to capture this chunk of metal for Rocky Bridges to create with - knowing that its time here is most likely finite. Signs today are just those terrible vacu-form things with fluorescent tubes inside. I love a good roadside sign and this one makes me smile.

Astounding find of the trip: The press on Tshirt shop is BACK! Looks like plastisol transfers have improved, and yet some of those designs are ones I remember pressing on Tee Shirts at Foxy's in the Tampa Bay Mall during the 1981 Christmas season... Of course, this new/old bastion of hipsterness is in Little Five Points - Somewhere I know RM has a box of glitter photo transfers with zodiac signs on them!

AWESOME & AWFUL - Marriott Marquis Atlanta

BOTH: The Marriott Marquis Atlanta has a lot of positive things going for it - absolutely non of them at ground level. Three sides of this block sized development are simply as inhospitable as one can make a blank wall of concrete. I even had a hard time finding the egress on the east side (facing the Hyatt) and only  stumbled upon it by accident.

So, on the AWFUL scale this hotel provides 3 block faces with 2 - 3 stories (depending on the elevation) of blank concrete and a total disconnect from any pedestrian realm. It was so bad I didn't even bother taking any pictures. Add to this the multiple skybridges and lack of obvious ways to find the street, and you have the usual Brutalism era hatred of the ground level, save access for automobiles and trucks.

The auto entry itself is pretty cool (see pic just below) but even this space is a bit oppressive for the average pedestrian.

Now, on the AWESOME side of the equation, we consider the soaring interior spaces the architect created... One cannot help but be impressed with the volume, the tapering balconies and the glass roof, 48 stories above. 1663 rooms and suites ensure a population guaranteed to fill the cantilevered Pulse Loft bar and the sail-like Pulse lobby bar. It obvious the interior decor has been tastefully and expensively updated in the recent past. If only the architect and the planners involved had given the same love to the ground level surrounding the hotel, this building would be long regarded as one of the best in Atlanta.

Sadly, the era in which this was constructed dictated that it was not to be so.

More photos on their website.

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AWESOME: David Williams, Painter

One of my favorite artists is David Williams of St. Petersburg. David recycles commercial and graphic images from the past and present to create a whole new dialogue with the world today. His website shows a variety of work from current and past shows. The one thing you cannot appreciate online are the wonderful surface textures he includes in every work. And he just keeps getting better with each new set of work.

© 2006 David Williams 48" x 60" Sirens:Bahama Shores Drive, acrylic on canvas.

Remember, buy art because it moves you, and if it clashes with the couch, get a new couch.

AWFUL: The Horrors of the Atlanta Merchandise Mart

AWFUL: The Atlanta Merchandise Mart is 3 blocks of consumerism and serves boutiques and retailers across the region... that said, the buildings it occupies are pretty ugly and do nothing to serve the city in which they landed. Oh, and what about a window or two?

The ground level of all 3 blocks has nothing but blank walls and a few sad trees. The skybridges keep the buyers and sellers out of the city entirely. It seems there are 8 or 9 blocks interconnected in such a way as to connect at least 3 hotels to the Mart and once inside, its not very easy to find a way to get to the street level - kinda like not being able to find a way out of a casino in Vegas.

I do have to say that I like the RoboCop style round staircases on the corner, and the building is, in spite of its shortcomings, a bit of modern sculpture that typifies its era in a strong way. Its a great thing to learn from and never repeat.

AWESOME: The view from the 72nd Floor of the Westin Peachtree in Atlanta

Looking West - L to R: Georgia Dome, CNN Center, Georgia World Congress Center and Olympic Centennial Park. Georgia Aquarium sneaking in at top right. Bottom left is the Tabernacle - a fantastic old chruch turned civic auditorium. Notice all the surface parking lot space - what a waste of land.

Looking North - The W Hotel seems to be the terminus of 75/85 as it comes into downtown from the North. I like the cantilevered pool halfway up the right tower.

Looking ENE: An economy of architectural effort and creativity - 6 towers almost exactly the same, and every one a horror for the pedestrian. The two at the Marriott Marquis were better at ground level due to the hotel entry between them - the others shield a mall from passers by - yes, Peachtree Center is on the 2nd floor and is primarily accessible to office tower workers through sky bridges. The city is excluded as much as possible from this hermetically sealed environment. Awful streetscapes.

I keep meaning to go into the Hyatt and go up in that little spaceship bar that landed on top but I never do. Note that through the sky bridges, you can go from the Hilton at top right all the way to Centennial Park without ever touching a sidewalk. Great way to kill your downtown.

AWESOME: Andres Duany at The Congress of the New Urbanism CNU18

So, I got the opportunity to see architect and New Urbanism prophet Andres Duany speak on a number of occasions at the Congress. Andres is a highly charismatic guy - one could actually term him messianic when it comes to the message of Urbanism. The creator of Seaside was far more approachable and likable than I expected. Much is made of the egos of architects, but in his case I'd discount that from 'ego' to 'clarity of vision'.

Duany is, in spite of his renown and his position as the leading light of the Urbanist movement* is - and most will disagree - a humble guy.

What? How is that possible?

Simple: He is so absolutely sure of his vision, the goals and the product itself, that - while he is delivering the message in a way no one else can - he does so on service of the message itself. Sure, he is the center of attention, and sure, he is the architect... but its not about him, its about a better way to live. Hence, I adjudge him as 'humble' as compared to most other architects.

*Seriously. I never use the word 'movement' outside of discussing digestive issues because it smacks of stoner hippies whining about some idiotic claptrap, but in this case - it actually makes sense and makes me smile.

AWESOME: Complete Streets

While at CNU18, the phrase 'complete streets' kept wandering into the conversation. Somehow I missed that couplet along the way, all the while having been a fan of the ideas inherent in the concept. No idea how that happened...

There is a great FAQ on the Complete Streets Coalition's website for those who'd like to review the concepts involved. The main key to to realize that we need 'streets' not 'roads' in our cities. Streets serve people first and cars second. Roads serve cars exclusively. Roads exist to get people from one point of civilization to another, but tend to destroy that civilization when they run through it.

Below is a pic from the Complete Streets Flickr feed - notice: 2 lanes, center shared turn lane that allows through traffic to move freely, bike lanes, on street parking offers traffic calming and a shield for pedestrians, urban trees as appropriate. This can move as much traffic as a 4 lane road with no center turn lane, and do it in a safer manner for all. Added benefit: Increased property values benefit neighborhoods and the city's ad valorem base.

AWESOME: Record Stores in Atlanta/Little 5 Points

AWESOME: Its been quite some time since I was in Atlanta, and it was quite gratifying to see that Wax N Facts is still there doing its thing in Little Five Points. In fact, with the resurgence in VINYL the place had very few CDs and was mostly albums and 12"s. While I was browsing the old bins, I noticed the crates had such names as Peaches and Sound Warehouse on the ends... nice retro touch there. People were actually coming in asking about new releases and whether they would be on vinyl, Double awesome.

Around the corner on Euclid is a SECOND record store called Criminal Records. This one is a bit more glossy and full of indie rock, kitch, dunnys and the like - but the fact that TWO record stores are thriving within a block of each other is really gratifying. I noticed 180 gram re-issues of vinyl I bought 25 years ago (DEVO baby!) for 17.99 and up. Of course, since I have the original sleeve and inserts mine is cooler - the one advantage of being old I suppose.

Little 5 Points has changed little in the last decade or two. Eat Your Vegetables is gone, Throb is gone, but those are the only two businesses that seem to have really disappeared. Junkman's Daughter is still selling stuff for very cute girls and the package store seems to have the same two broke down winos in the parking lot. Abba Dabba's is still rocking the Doc Martens and other specialty shoe labels, and seems to have grown. I used to visit Atlanta a lot in the 80s and early 90s, and its nice to see that, while some thaings have changed, most of the best stuff is still around.

David Byrne speaks to Congress for the New Urbanism on Bicycling - Atlan...

CNU 18 - Two videos and then commentary below:



Part two below:



It was very cool to be sitting in the front row of the Tabernacle in Atlanta watching David Byrne make his presentation on cycling in various places around the world. Sorry for the shaky cam and the fact that part 2 got cut off a bit toward the end.

CNU 18 was a fantastic experience. To get to meet and hear from Andres Duany, John Norquist, Peter Calthorpe, Emily Talen and many, many more during the course of a day is pretty exciting stuff to someone who drank the New Urbanism KoolAid a loooong time ago.

Not that the movement is perfect - far from it, and part of why the Congresses keep growing. I think people are still really learning what NU is and what it is not, and the Congress and its members have not really defined a message that the general public really understands. In fact, I think the academic focus on Celebration and Seaside is actually detrimental to the overall message. The Congress and the ideas it champions would be far more effective in promoting the HOPE IV initiatives.

Secretary Donovan of HUD spoke one morning and had many positive substantive things to say. When he quoted and credited Jack Kemp, and mentioned Howard Roark, I almost fell out of my chair. An Obama administration official actually quoting Ayn Rand and saying nice things about Kemp? Holy moley! I expected a partisan political speech and a lot of blather - what I got was a bit of bipartisanship and substance that we can all support. Amazing.

NextGen: There is a sub group within the Congress that is centered on students and recent grads - and people like me who have never been to a CNU before - and they are pushing for new ways to expand the portfolio of ideas and promote the canon to future leaders. Bravo to them. Since I've been involved in  planning since about 1991 or so (I am old) in various fashions, I expect to get active with this group - I know the issues, but really have no past with the congress and its leadership. In an odd fashion, I can be 'new' and still not lose any of the 'old'.

The message about compact growth is becoming ingrained in the public discourse, but it is still lost behind the shadow of Seaside. There needs to be a marketing push that hones the concept to something the general public can support. Demographics are already in favor of New Urbanism, but the concepts are not yet defined as simply as necessary.

Congress for the New Urbanism, Atlanta

So, after 3 full days as a participant in the Congress for the New Urbanism, my brain is close to being fried. One more intense day ahead (not to mention the rest of today) and then travel home. Lots of information to digest and an astounding pile of ideas to sort and apply. Look for new updates next week starting Monday on Atlanta and CNU 18.

AWESOME. New Brendan Perry Album "Ark"

AWESOME. The inimitable Brendan Perry (half of Dead Can Dance for those of you who don't know...) will be on tour and I just listened to his sparkling new album Ark. Hopefully his tour will cross Berlin while I'm there this fall *fingers crossed*
Ark is the sort of album you'd expect from Mr. Perry. Babylon is fill of the horns and timpani drums that inhabit his creations - with his lush baritone mixed in at just the right level. The standout track for me (so far) is The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, although it appears Utopia (below) is the 'single' for the album. Not a bad track if you are a fan, and a great place to start if you weren't already!~

AWFUL. Wachovia Bank Building on North Main St

AWFUL. This thing looms over Gainesville's Main Street like a bad matte painting background in a particularly terrible 1970s sci-fi TV show. At least this unfortunate pile of masonry and poured concrete has the good sense to be on the edge of downtown, where it handily cuts off the residential neighborhood of Fifth Ave/Pleasant St from traffic noise on Main St. (I'm trying to be positive here.)

Fortunately, it has a rather small footprint and the pedestrian level is less offensive than many of the period. Plus, you can actually find the front door. The landscaping does a lot to eliminate the negative relationship between the building and the street. Yay trees!

The actual worst part of this big box of ugly is its parking structure, which consumes a whole block behind it. That was a result of misguided development regulations in that era, and one cannot blame the developer for that mistake, cuz you know no developer would waste money like that unless someone made him.

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AWFUL. Alachua County Courthouse. Implode & recycle please.

AWFUL. Truly one of Downtown Gainesville's most horrible moments. This massive ungainly lump of post-lego block design has it all. This is the Alachua County Courthouse, Family & Civil Division.

• Three elevations calculated to prevent pedestrians from approaching it?  Check!
• Gigantic slabs of poured concrete that say: "Fortress - Keep Out!" ?  Check!
• A massive deficit of glazing on the side facing the downtown plaza?  Check!
• An entry that is hard to locate and singularly unimpressive and uninviting?  Check!
• Vast slabs of pebble textured concrete, to complete that hideous 1970s ambiance?  Check!
• Prominent location so you can't ignore its massive ugly bulk?  CHECK AND MATE!

In short, this is the single most hideous building in the downtown. It contributes nothing to the streetscape, and exhibits all of the very worst habits of 1970s architecture. Plus, it eats up one side of the most visible public space in downtown. Of course, the downtown plaza is a horror in and of itself, but we'll deal with that one another time. 

Pedestrian view from a prominent corner in the downtown. Breathtakingly awful in its composition.

This plaque fingers those responsible for this carbuncle on the face of downtown. May the shame of Craig Salley & Associates never be forgotten. Oh - and this firm still exists. Check out their website to see the kind of structure these guys are proud to occupy.


Added: Now that I've checked out their website, it seems they have graduated to public schools that look like cheap strip shopping centers.


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