but is it art? by graemestevens

but is it art?

Well yes, yes it is. I know it is because this is the exterior of our sleepy little towns Art Gallery, the Len Lye Centre, at night (somewhat obviously).

Dogged by controversy since it's inception and during the build, I personally think that it's a fabulous building with a unique design (curved stainless steel panels) and an amazing space on the inside as well.

Objections to the building have included, but not been limited, to the following:
1. The reflections from the building will magnify the sun and melt my car (I shit you not, this was actually submitted to council as a reason for not building it).
2. It will cost too much rate payers money to build. It was never funded by the council or rate payers, but rather by private investors, sponsors and fundraising, as is the ongoing upkeep. This was always public knowledge. Sheesh.
3. Places like London and New York don't have art galleries. Yes, this was also a real objection.

My own conclusion from these objections and the behaviour of people while this gallery was being built is that there are far too many rednecks roaming free in this town. And some of them are on Council.
Laughing reading this. Oh gosh... And it's a beauty!
May 3rd, 2018  
I think it is a fantastic building ( saw it for the first time a few months back) A photo of it was entered into our Camera Club last month .. the judge must of been behind a rock for the last few years as said that this was a very creative photo and must of been a composite and made up from several photos .. hmmmm ... Like your take in this shot..
May 3rd, 2018  
Oh sure, people would talk even if you built the basilic of St. Peter, you know... the would say places like the Vatican don’t have churches... would like a morning view, though!
May 3rd, 2018  
Great shot and building. I think it was the shard in London where the reflection did start melting someone's car!
May 3rd, 2018  
It was actually the walkie talkie I saw this on the BBC and thought you should see it:

'Walkie-Talkie' skyscraper melts Jaguar car parts - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-23930675
May 3rd, 2018  
Oh dear! Some people just don't like change, or progress! Great shot
May 3rd, 2018  
Great image and such an attraction for your 'town'. My question is: Were you lying in the middle of Devon Street to get this image? You obviously survived and it looks interesting from this pov.
May 3rd, 2018  
It looks a very impressive building whether at night or day, but I must admit I was too busy admiring your light trails to notice it at first ...
May 3rd, 2018  
#@(+ the begrudgers, places like this inspire people and lift us out of the everyday mire. Would love to visit and see the exhibits.
May 3rd, 2018  
Just had a Google. Looks really impressive as does the man himself. Would love to see your daylight view of it..
May 3rd, 2018  
It looks nice but as Domenicododaro says it would be nice to see it on daylight. I often wonder what Italy would be if in the past there were the same blind administrators of today. No cathedrals (too expensive) no museums, no frescoes, no theaters. Probably only castles and walls and moats because humans seem to think that war is the only noble activity. Fortunately the powerful lords of the past could decide by themselves. Not that I’m against democracy, of course, but sometimes it becomes demagogy
May 3rd, 2018  
Fav
May 3rd, 2018  
Cool
May 3rd, 2018  
Certainly eyecatching
May 3rd, 2018  
@caterina @domenicododaro Here's a day time view, such as it is, of part of the exterior... https://365project.org/graemestevens/365/2015-07-27
@joannakate That it is...
@joansmor It's one of my favourite buildings
@jack4john Now I'll have to go back in the day time...
@fbailey It's been far too long since I went out at night...
@dide I was quite low...very low in fact, I had trouble getting up...
@lyndamcg Thanks very much :)
@rjb71 There you go then - this one was designed to be away from the "prevailing" sun but yes, it would be distressing to come back and find your car melted...
@julzmaioro Thanks very much - it's one of my favourite buildings....
@taffy At least I've made one person happy today....
May 3rd, 2018  
That comment about the council 'rednecks' made me chuckle (a little cynically) This is really on my bucket list of NZ sights to photograph. Great story even though it is a sad commentary on the "political' process being captured by the vocal minority. Thanks for sharing.
May 3rd, 2018  
Having worked at one time (long ago) as a planning enforcement officer, I used to have to deal with these sort of people on a daily basis. I can tell you, it is enough to make a man go rogue, run off to sea and become pirate. :)
May 3rd, 2018  
So .... the rednecks seem to be spread far and wide. They certainly dwell in my little neck of the woods. I try to ignore.
This is a great image - love the night shot and the light trails. It's fun to see your creativity in all of it's forms. Well done!
May 3rd, 2018  
Well, this is one of the things I love about 365. I find out things I never knew! I did laugh at your commentary, and I never knew anything about the walkie talkie building in London melting anyone's car! Incredible. Great shot of what would seem to be quite an amazing building!
May 3rd, 2018  
Thank you for the link! Very interesting and beautiful building.
May 3rd, 2018  
I'm glad to know ignorance is not strictly an American problem. That last objection floors me. LOL Great shot and glad you got it built. Art is essential to civilization.
May 3rd, 2018  
@sarasotab It is essential and yes, we've had some weird ones...
@caterina Most welcome - I might go back during the day at some point for more...
@jamibann Thanks very much - every day is a school day!
@365karly1 Thanks very much - I generally ignore them as well, but sometimes...well, sometimes...
@swillinbillyflynn That explains an awful lot about your current, admirable, state ;)
@kiwinanna It is a must see when visiting Sleepy Hollows - as for the rednecks, it seems that in Taranaki they are in the majority and the racist bigots aren't far behind...but that's a story for another day...
May 3rd, 2018  
Wonderful building... and your image makes me want to visit.
May 3rd, 2018  
Still laughing! What a great building!
May 3rd, 2018  
I like curve stainless steel exteriors. I understand that the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles had to tone down the brightness of its panels after numerous complaints. Art space is vital to a communities health!!!!
May 4th, 2018  
Looks very arty to my ignorant eyes. I like it anyway.
May 4th, 2018  
@golftragic As do I, and I'm about as ignorant as they come...
@joysabin It's essential to a communities health - unfortunately our council has just removed a large chunk of arts funding...
@pamknowler I'm pleased I made someone smile today ;)
@vignouse You're welcome anytime...
May 4th, 2018  
Fav times 2 ..
May 4th, 2018  
@bintal Thank you very much :)
May 4th, 2018  
Had to take a look at this photo to find out about today's amazin building! I love it & can't believe people objected to this revolutionary work of art! London & New York don't have art galleries, where are people living, under a stone? It was the curved shape of the walkie talkie building in London that magnified the rays of the sun, a bit of a Hoo ha about it to start with & I think they modified the shape but never heard any more about it. Live this building & I hope to see it perhaps one day.
May 4th, 2018  
OK, I admit that I missed this yesterday but I did see your post today and quickly jumped back into the past so I would be informed. I love it! Great light! Now I will go back to today and look at the daylight picture.
May 4th, 2018  
I saw this building on Mek's site and thought it was his and in Rotterdam! It's absolutely stunningly beautiful! *Some* little people and their tedious objections can make one wonder if we're all a part of the same human race!
May 5th, 2018  
@Weezilou Yes, quite - I can't say I'm happy about having my image altered/edited without even being consulted.
@stownsend Thank you very much :)
@happypat It is a fabulous building - I guess there will always be people to object to things
May 5th, 2018  
hahahahahaha No1 is like the extra light in daylight savings will fade my curtains hahahahahahaha
and No3 - you need to dig a big hole and - thinking of natural/unnatural selection - start putting people in it - think of the bones you could photograph :)
May 15th, 2018  
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