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Boris's Tower On The Olympic Park


Mr Tickle

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Posted
I like the idea of a monumental sculpture too.

However, I don't think it has to be built to substitute for a flat pack games but just as a commemorative monument in it's own right.

not saying it should be a substitute to the architecture of the park - but as much of the elements are temporary - it might be good to have a lasting structure that commemorates the games of the xxxth olympiad. there is nothing left of any merit from the 2 previous games in london.

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Posted
not saying it should be a substitute to the architecture of the park - but as much of the elements are temporary - it might be good to have a lasting structure that commemorates the games of the xxxth olympiad. there is nothing left of any merit from the 2 previous games in london.

I agree.

A dedicated sculpture with impact could be an incredible thing. Not only would it help forge an identity for the Olympic park during the games but it would also leave a lasting legacy post games.

However, I do think that the built environment, in terms of sports stadia and infrastructure this time round in London will leave a spectacular legacy. Hadid's aquatic centre looks better in legacy mode than in games mode, Hopkins velodrome is simply beautiful, even the main Olympic stadium is quite charming in how a 25,000 seat stadium is built into the ground post games.

Posted

^^ Not foregetting the handball arena, which is also permanant. I still go back to the question though, why not make this "monument" the cauldron tower?

Posted
^^ Not foregetting the handball arena, which is also permanant. I still go back to the question though, why not make this "monument" the cauldron tower?

Perhaps the organisers of the games have a plan for the lighting and feel this sculpture will not be at odds with their plans.

Also, the design (Transmission) we have seen is quite dominating and imposing. I understand that Gormely and Kapoor have submitted designs aswell - maybe once we see them theirs they might be more sculptural and artistic and therefore feel more appropriate. We might embrace the idea of a huge sculpture more. Who knows?

Posted
Perhaps the organisers of the games have a plan for the lighting and feel this sculpture will not be at odds with their plans.

Also, the design (Transmission) we have seen is quite dominating and imposing. I understand that Gormely and Kapoor have submitted designs aswell - maybe once we see them theirs they might be more sculptural and artistic and therefore feel more appropriate. We might embrace the idea of a huge sculpture more. Who knows?

i love gormley and kapoor's work - i think that the structure could be part of the cauldron? btw - as this is london's third games do we get thre cauldrons (innsbruck had 2 in 1976 - LA used their original one in 1984 ) sorry off topic!

also maybe i was being harsh on the architecture - drovw past the olympic park at the weekend and from the velodrome end it did look quite spectacular - esp the velodrome and the swimming pool! just am worried that the park will be all a little flat and dull in legacy - maybe i am a monument queen - lol?

Posted
i love gormley and kapoor's work - i think that the structure could be part of the cauldron? btw - as this is london's third games do we get thre cauldrons (innsbruck had 2 in 1976 - LA used their original one in 1984 ) sorry off topic!

also maybe i was being harsh on the architecture - drovw past the olympic park at the weekend and from the velodrome end it did look quite spectacular - esp the velodrome and the swimming pool! just am worried that the park will be all a little flat and dull in legacy - maybe i am a monument queen - lol?

Monument queen! :lol: Basically you view architecture the way some people view porn!

I know what you mean about the temporary nature of some of the venues. What I will say is that London will still have lots of recognisable landmarks left once the games are over. The Aquatic venue will exist (it looks better in legacy mode), the velodrome and bike network will remain, the handball arena and the Olympic stadium will remain but will be reduced to 25,000 seats. Also, London's Olympic park will be the largest public park created in Europe for 150 years - in some ways that is the greatest legacy of all.

I get your point - I support the idea behind the Olympic stadium and do think the stadium is nice but honestly I am a bit underwhelmed by it's architecture and think something greater could have been achieved for £500 million.

Posted

I recall another mayor who tried to build a tower associated with the Olympics to act as a symbol of his city and rival the one on the Champs de Mars. Dumb idea.

Posted
I recall another mayor who tried to build a tower associated with the Olympics to act as a symbol of his city and rival the one on the Champs de Mars. Dumb idea.

Am I being really dumb - which city?

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

If it wasn't so tall I'd say use the spiral bit as the cauldron tower and put the cloud on top after the Games. As it is four times higher than the stadium, I can't see that working though!

I like it (which is more than I can say for the Red Indian Pylon), but hope it will be built after the Games rather than having it there in Games-time dwarfing everything below it.

Posted
z_stadium.jpg

Woooooo there cowboy! That is my model I made of the stadium a while back. The texture for the track is mine at least. But I'd go all out and say the stadium is mine with some adjustments.

Here

Posted

I think this is an inspired structure and definitely would have wow factor.

I don't subscribe to this notion that it " would overshadow the other venues" as I think that it would only enhance the landscape. The Olympic stadium is charming but is not incredible. An amazing structure like this would create a cool juxtaposition to the stadium and allow people to appreciate the nature of the stadium contrasted by this amazing structure.

Also, wow factor would be created and it wouldn't be left to a temporary stadium to carry the burden of defining these games.

I also like the ethereal symbolism - the clouds, dreaming etc.

Posted

Personally, I would prefer something more spiritually inspiring like the Angel of the North. Something that makes you stop and think rather than just a group of clouds. It doesn't do much for me to be honest. I find it very unbalanced and not appealing at all.

Posted

i see what you mean lee - but it is not just a bunch of clouds - it's interactive and will evolve - that's quite exciting.

sure it is not everyone's cup of tea - but someting like the angel of the north is a bit safe - imo!

Posted
i see what you mean lee - but it is not just a bunch of clouds - it's interactive and will evolve - that's quite exciting.

sure it is not everyone's cup of tea - but someting like the angel of the north is a bit safe - imo!

Perhaps that was a bit throwaway to just call it a bunch of clouds. I don't dislike the design it but it's just not what I was choose.

The Angel of the North has always divided opinion and I have never quite understood why. I find it very exciting and it really does inspire me. I have visited it several times and it is one of my favourite pieces of sculpture in the country.

At least we are agreed on one thing - the digital cloud is a marked improvement on the electricity pylon. :D

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