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Monday, August 12, 2002 |
Von Stuck the Sculptor: Until recently I had only really known von Stuck as a painter, but it turns out that he did some pretty good sculptural work as well! Here are a few recent finds..
Amazon, 1897
Tanzerinnen, 1895
10:23:44 PM 
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Shocking Discovery! Von Stuck isn't Always Depressing After all!: Sure a lot of his paintings are dark and concerned with sin, pain, and death, but here's a cute little counterexample:
10:16:55 PM
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Frank Lloyd Wright Photo: Here's a photo I scrounged up showing Frank Lloyd Wright speaking in front of a huge drawing of the mile-tall Illinois building.
6:47:44 PM
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Tall Building Proposals for the new World Trade Center: For some time I have been involved with a coalition of people working to make sure that the old World Trade Center is replaced with very tall skyscrapers rather than some cowardly collection of dwarfish "hubris-free" buildings. Mt friend Rob LeChevalier has been trying to promote the idea of building an updated version of Frank Lloyd Wright's Illinois building, which happens to be a mile tall (that's 5280 feet boys and girls!). Personally, I think that numerous practical problems (including having to come up with a way of putting the thing up without having to tear down a lot of existing buildings and raise it the way Wright intended, which was to build it around a huge single spire forged on the site and pulled up in one day(!), however I love the design and audacity of the thing which is why I have some drawings of it on my website. Anyway, though I think it's still unrealistic for a number of reasons I would be happy to discuss, I did whip up a couple of images showing what it might look like if they were to build it at the WTC site.
6:40:08 PM
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Vysehrad Murals: When I visited Prague recently one of the interesting places I visited was the Vysehrad Cemetary (the location of Antonin Dvorak's tomb and those of many other famous Czechs) and the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral there. Alas, there was a guard there who wouldn't let us photograph the great Art Nouveau murals that covered the walls (and pillars and everything else), and I couldn't find any prints for sale either so I was a little bummed. The guard insisted that they were painted by Alfons Mucha, but they didn't quite look like his work (I later found that they were done by someone else at around the same time (and in a similar style). Anyway, I ran across a couple of images from in there on the Net and I thought I would share them with you all:
6:19:32 PM
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Rowland Wheelwright Painting: Here's another excellent painter whose work seems to have nearly vanished from the scene. Anyone with any more examples or biographical material (or even a portrait of him?) please write. This is The Enchanted Shore:
5:59:58 PM
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Franz Dvorak Painting: I have likes just about everything I have seen from Dvorak...which is about three paintings. If any of you have any biographical info about him please do pass it along. Here's Purity and Passion:
5:50:23 PM
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Listening to the City: New York has been soliciting (not entirely honestly IMHO) opinions from various folks both in the city and outside for several weeks now regarding issues related to the rebuilding of the World Trade Center, and this has included some (closed to the public) polls. Since I can get at the poll resumts I thought I would pass them along here...
Elements of Rebuilding: Something Unique
"Anchor the skyline" with buildings that "stand out," that are distinctive to New York. Use world-class designers. Many suggested an international architectural competition.
|
| Very important |
 (77%) |
| Important |
(12%) |
| Somewhat important |
(5%) |
| Not important |
(6%) |
| No preference |
(0%) |
| Not prepared to state an opinion |
(0%) | |
Elements of Rebuilding: Mixed Use
To recover and thrive, Lower Manhattan must become a mixed-use area. Rebuild office space, but balance it with retail, tourist, and pedestrian uses and secondary services (e.g., laundromats, restaurants) for nearby residents. It has to be "livable."
|
| Very important |
(42%) |
| Important |
(26%) |
| Somewhat important |
(17%) |
| Not important |
(14%) |
| No preference |
(0%) |
| Not prepared to state an opinion |
(0%) | |
Revitalization Issues: Cultural Centers
Establish cultural centers unique to downtown, performance spaces, museums or even a new university. Strong support for new institutions, not satellite venues that merely "bring uptown downtown."
|
| Very important |
(29%) |
| Important |
(26%) |
| Somewhat important |
(19%) |
| Not important |
(23%) |
| No preference |
(2%) |
| Not prepared to state an opinion |
(1%) | |
Elements of Rebuilding: Green Space
As much green space as possible, in a variety of sizes. More access to water views and the waterfront, on all three sides of Lower Manhattan. "The entire space should feel clean and renewed."
|
| Very important |
(35%) |
| Important |
(20%) |
| Somewhat important |
(17%) |
| Not important |
(26%) |
| No preference |
(1%) |
| Not prepared to state an opinion |
(1%) | |
Elements of Rebuilding: Focus on the Environment
Use environmentally-conscious and energy-efficient techniques wherever possible. Consider sustainability in design and in materials used.
|
| Very important |
(46%) |
| Important |
(19%) |
| Somewhat important |
(19%) |
| Not important |
(14%) |
| No preference |
(1%) |
| Not prepared to state an opinion |
(1%) | |
Revitalization Issues: Finance First
Start by re-establishing a thriving finance industry, including offices and transportation access, and the rest will follow. The financial district is "the backbone of NY's economy." "If you build it, they will come."
|
| Very important |
(38%) |
| Important |
(23%) |
| Somewhat important |
(23%) |
| Not important |
(13%) |
| No preference |
(0%) |
| Not prepared to state an opinion |
(3%) | |
Revitalization Issues: Transportation Hub
Connect NYC and commuter lines in a single, modern transportation hub, a "Grand Central Station for Lower Manhattan." Improve downtown access to PATH, LIRR and Metro North, and improve traffic and transit to reduce isolation of Lower Manhattan.
|
| Very important |
(55%) |
| Important |
(28%) |
| Somewhat important |
(11%) |
| Not important |
(6%) |
| No preference |
(1%) |
| Not prepared to state an opinion |
(0%) | |
Revitalization Issues: Housing On Site
If new housing is added to the site, it should cater to multiple income levels and foster economic diversity.
|
| Very important |
(23%) |
| Important |
(13%) |
| Somewhat important |
(14%) |
| Not important |
(42%) |
| No preference |
(2%) |
| Not prepared to state an opinion |
(5%) | |
Revitalization Issues: Housing Off Site
Do not use the 16-acre area for new housing. Residential development should be in adjacent areas. "The city needs housing, but not here."
|
| Very important |
(55%) |
| Important |
(14%) |
| Somewhat important |
(8%) |
| Not important |
(19%) |
| No preference |
(3%) |
| Not prepared to state an opinion |
(1%) | |
Tuesday, August 6
Restoring the Street Grid:
How important is it to restore part or all of the street grid?
|
| Very important |
(17%) |
| Important |
(15%) |
| Somewhat important |
(18%) |
| Unimportant |
(40%) |
| No preference |
(5%) |
| Not prepared to state an opinion |
(5%) | |
Improving West Street Crossing:
How important is it to improve the ability to cross West Street by foot and to connect the two sections of Lower Manhattan?
|
| Very important |
(50%) |
| Important |
(23%) |
| Somewhat important |
(15%) |
| Not important |
(7%) |
| No preference |
(2%) |
| Not prepared to state an opinion |
(3%) | |
Monday, August 5
Adding to the Skyline:
How important is it to add a major element or icon to the Lower Manhattan skyline?
|
| Very important |
(71%) |
| Important |
(8%) |
| Somewhat important |
(10%) |
| Unimportant |
(8%) |
| No preference |
(2%) |
| Not prepared to state an opinion |
(1%) | |
New Towers? How Tall?
Should a new tower or towers be built to replace the 110-story World Trade Center towers? How tall should a new tower be?
|
| Yes. Rebuild taller than before. |
(40%) |
| Yes. Rebuild around the same height. |
(20%) |
| Yes. But not as tall. |
(8%) |
| No. But build something 'grand and inspiring.' |
(26%) |
| No. |
(3%) |
| No preference. |
(2%) |
| Not prepared to state an opinion. |
(1%) | |
Use of Open Space
Do you prefer one large open space or a variety of differently sized open spaces?
|
| One large open space |
(26%) |
| A variety of different sized open spaces |
(46%) |
| No preference |
(15%) |
| Not prepared to state an opinion |
(13%) | |
Sunday, August 4
Friday, August 2
Location of Web Use:
What location do you use most often to go online for this discussion?
|
| Home |
(47%) |
| Office |
(17%) |
| Mix of home and office |
(34%) |
| School |
(0%) |
| Library or community center |
(1%) |
| Internet cafe or other storefront location |
(1%) |
| Other |
(0%) | |
Wednesday, July 31
Feelings About Redevelopment
How strong are your feelings about what should and should not be done at the World Trade Center site?
|
| Extremely strong |
(56%) |
| Very strong |
(31%) |
| Somewhat strong |
(12%) |
| Not very strong at all |
(1%) | |
Time Spent Online
About how many hours during an average week do you spend online for personal interests such as ordering products, communicating with friends and relatives, finding information, surfing the Web, etc.?
|
| 1-5 hours |
(17%) |
| 6-10 hours |
(35%) |
| 11-20 hours |
(26%) |
| More than 20 hours |
(22%) | |
Online Discussion History - I
Have you participated in online discussions before this one?
|
| No |
(49%) |
| Yes - once or twice |
(19%) |
| Yes - under 10 times |
(11%) |
| Yes - more than I can count |
(21%) | |
Online Discussion History - II
If you have participated in more than two online discussions before this one, how satisfying have they been?
|
| Consistently good experiences |
(9%) |
| Mixed bag - some good experiences, some not so good |
(45%) |
| Mostly bad experiences |
(1%) |
| Have participated in a couple or none |
(46%) | |
2:59:11 PM
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Fast Company takes a look at The Internet Power Grab:. "With free content heading toward extinction, free telephony on hold, free sharing of private property under attack, the design of personal computers in question, and the Free Software movement in the gun sights, you might think that Silicon Valley would be organizing itself to fight back on the political front. But they're late to the game. And remarkably, they still haven't appealed to the public for support," John Ellis writes.
2:49:02 AM
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Don't Try This At Home Department: Excite@Home may be dead, but it's legacy lives on. An anonymous tipster informs me that a former Excite@Home employee had been charged with eight counts of felony theft related to missing Excite@Home equipment. But wait, it's not that simple. I was tipped off about this story last fall when two people confirmed that the Redwood City Police raided this individual's apartment after an executive at Excite@Home indicated this person had stolen company equipment. The cops didn't find anything and there are questions as to whether they had a valid warrant or even probably cause. It took almost four months for the cops to tell the ex-@Homer that he was in the clear. Fast forward to a few weeks ago and some agency known as The Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team (REACT) gets involved. Why not just call them The Super Friends? The Task Force apparently linked four pieces of equipment on a police "hot list" (stolen property) to the guy, even though he could apparently provide proof of how he lawfully obtained the equipment. According to my anonymous tipster, the individual was arraigned last week and is gearing up to fight the charges. This entire incident stemmed from an executive at Excite@Home informing police of potential theft without providing a shred of evidence. Considering Excite@Home was plundered by employees, including contracted security personell, this is an amazingly odd story. Millions of dollars in equipment went missing when the company consolidated its office space and left servers, routers, laptops, etc. sitting in unused buildings. Something is very, very rotten in Silicon Valley.
2:39:13 AM
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Trouble at Terra/Lycos: Looks like job cuts are looming at Terra Lycos' (TRLY) U.S. operations. There seems to be a problem there; over eighty percent of the people in charge of bringing in revenue aren't doing an adequate job. Not sure how deep the cuts will be or if it will be on the sales-side only, but sources say an absolutely stinging internal presentation last week indicated that the company's management was gunning to fire people for "underperformance." Lycos is in an awful spot right now. Bertelsmann isn't willing to go through with the second part of a $1 billion advertising deal, at least not at the original terms, and that could wipe out up to $675 million in expected ad revenue. In April the Germany media conglomerate said it was looking to renegotiate the deal in light of market changes. Bertelsmann, according to a recent Reuters report, accounts for forty percent of the advertising on Lycos, and could simply pull out of the deal.
That would put Lycos' sugar daddy, Spanish telco Telefonica (which owns 37 percent of Terra Lycos) on the hook for the remaining value of the deal. "If they lose Bertelsmann it could be the end for Lycos," an Internet analyst told Reuters. The portal business just ain't what it used to be.
2:34:35 AM
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Sprint Changes Loom: The water cooler talk at Sprint (FON) is that ousted Deutsche Telekom (DT) CEO Ron Sommer is headed to Kansas City. Spies suggest that Sommer has been in the KC area house hunting and that Sprint PCS (PCS) President Charles Levine could be shown the door in favor of Sommer. Makes for some interesting gossip, especially considering one of my little birdies at the company tells me that excluding affiliates, Sprint PCS had approximately -26,000 net adds in July. That means the company lost 26,000 customers last month, excluding affiliates. That ain't good.
2:31:29 AM
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This is a test broadcast direct from my Blackberry pager!
2:03:22 AM
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Louis Epstein Says: Might be better to shoot for October 11th (10/11 for steps after 9/11)
than the Veterans' Day holiday...more sunshine and politicians still in voter-sensitive mode.(Oct 11th is a Friday,November 11th a holiday Monday).
I earlier proposed a rally at the Javits Center when early publicity made it sound like LTTC was strictly for Civic Alliance member groups...so where would this rally be? What are the practical problems?
Input on this is appreciated.
Don't forget the building codes hearing on August 13th at the
Customs House at Bowling Green,the Gotham Gazette Java-Chat with
Doctoroff on August 15th,or other upcoming events...
I still await details on the Team Twin Towers LA fundraiser.
see you on the 111th floor on 9-11-11!
1:53:40 AM
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Marcella Mellos Discusses Rebuilder Strategy: Regarding the potential full page ad in the NY Times to restore the Twin Towers, I believe it would be more cost effective, have a greater impact and reach many more people if we have a rally. We may need a permit to do so,
I'll check into that. If a permit is necessary and attainable, we can ask for donations, sell shirts, caps, buttons, etc. Contemplate the following to occur:
1. Organize a full day rally of hundreds of supporters (let's say on 11/11
at 11:00 o'clock) something catchy;
2. Set up a PA system and podium;
3. Line up speakers (a good part of the day) who wish to express their
views, limited to "x" minutes, some entertainment (anyone with a guitar?
singing and poetry reading symbolizing the unity and embodiment of New
Yorkers/America and to break up the monotony of listening to speeches all
day);
4. Distribute fliers advertising the event beforehand;
5. Invite the radio/television media and newspapers;
6. Set up tables for petition signing, distribute leaflets, serve
water/refreshments;
7. Sell T-shirts, caps. buttons, etc. (if we have a permit)
The ad may be a better choice if the City was to have a referendum but at
this infant state a grassroots rally, in my view, is best because it bonds
people with similar interests, personally connects to others, and builds a
foundation to expand. Marcella.
1:51:51 AM
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© Copyright 2002 Brian Yoder.
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