Taken in the old Industry Passage next to Pilar Square in Zaragoza (Spain). Opened in 1882, it was the first commercial gallery in the city, now it is abandoned.

Canon EOS 450D + 18-55 IS

Flickr | Panoramio | Photoblogs | Cool Photoblogs

“Faudra pas qu’on arrive trop tard, on va se pogner le line-up”, elle dit, Brigitte. C’est décidé, on va à une soirée francophone samedi. Et il ne faudrait pas qu’on arrive trop tard, sinon on va être confrontées à la queue à l’entrée.

*C’est extra Vancouver*, c’est comme ça que s’appelle le party. Oui, ici on dit LE party. Grâce à DJ Eric, nous allons danser toute la nuit sur des musiques exclusivement francophones (je crains le pire, genre Gold ou Tenue de soirée).

Le party, donc, est organisé à Granville Island, l’un des plus beaux quartiers de Vancouver downtown. Granville Island n’est pas une île, mais une presque-île, et a vraiment beaucoup de caractère. Entourée de bateaux et bien à l’abri sous le pont de Granville, cette ancienne friche industrielle et d’entrepôts est devenue un lieu de promenade familial le dimanche à pied ou en vélo, mais aussi un endroit branché avec des pubs et des galeries d’artistes. Un peu comme si on avait pris l’option « rénovation » pour le Flon, au lieu de tout démolir et de construire du neuf.

En parlant de Granville Island, c’est tellement central et branché que la Suisse l’a choisie pour y installer sa « Swiss House » pendant les Jeux Olympiques. Fondue au chocolat et au fromage au menu, je lis dans le journal ce matin. Miam. Feeling like home.

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Kate Langenburg/A&E Groove

It’s finally happened to me after all these years. That’s right, I finally went to my very first Phish show ever! Let’s just say this — I went on Tuesday night. It is now Friday and I can’t stop daydreaming about it, listening to my live Phish albums, and wanting to go back for more. This band has had a lot of time to perfect their shows…and they certainly have.

After releasing their first album in 1986 and touring for nearly twenty years, the band went on a haitus, a break that was much needed for certain members who had started overdoing the drugs (I won’t mention names here.) Nonetheless, that time gave them all a time out and a chance to think about what they wanted for the future of their music. Now they’re back, armed with a slick light show and some seriously funky beats.

Photo by Kate Langenburg

The crowd in the Wachovia Center Tuesday night was ridiulously large. I never knew venues of that size existed until now. (I also never would have guessed I would end up with a club box seat complete with my own private bar, bathroom, and sitting area.) Everyone in the entire place seemed to be grooving simultaneously, with smiles and good vibes permeating the walls of the arena.

Here’s the setlist from the November 24 Philadelphia show:  

Set 1: Chalk Dust Torture>Bathtub Gin>Cities>Camel Walk>The Curtain With>The Wedge>The Moma Dance>Reba>Golgi Apparatus>Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan

Set 2: Possum>Down With Disease>Twenty Years Later>Harry Hood>The Mango Song>Mike’s Song>Simple>Slave to the Traffic Light>Weekapaug Groove

Encore: A Day in the Life

From the very first note of Chalkdust, I knew I was in for something great. When they went into a real funky Moma Dance, I was in heaven. Everyone was singing along with Reba one minute then, jamming out to Possum, then going into a free fall whirlwind of musical pleasure when they heard A Day in the Life.

Phish’s sound has certainly gotten stronger over the years, and I don’t see this band disappearing any time soon. They are loved by too many fans, have too much talent, and have the drive to keep on keepin’ on. I don’t even know which song was my favorite…they were all wonderful, amazing, beautiful, great. Check out my videos from the show by clicking on the song names below:

The Moma Dance

Simple

Weekapaug Groove

A Day in the Life (Encore)

If anyone I work with happens to read this post, I’m sorry, but I just might have to quit my job and go on tour with Phish.

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Mission: Weekend in Lisbon with no guidebook, research or planning

Resources: Mobile phone, phone apps, blagging skills, caffeine

See the video here: http://bit.ly/6pFLOC

FRIDAY 5PM

Jill (@uktraveleditor) At Luton Airport. I’ve just found out I’m headed to Lisbon for my TwiTrip. Hotel or restaurant suggestions? I’ll be landing in 2 hours.

HOTEL

@ti_travel for Lisbon we love Pestana Palace http://bit.ly/tWr2k, York House http://bit.ly/K61zD & Solar do Castelo http://bit.ly/biXqR

@lewisshields If you fancy a v centrel b&b – www.zuzabed.com come very highly recommended

@JCreatureTravel Hotel Fantana Park, Altis Belem Hotel and Internacional Design Hotel. Love ‘em all. Portugal is 1 of my specialties.

@Traveltimestravel Lisbon has some great value boutique hostels – watch our video of the best http://cli.gs/a3jHSN

@Blogography I stay at the Britania Hotel on R. Rodrigues Sampaio in Lisbon. Highest possible recommendation!

@EliteTravelGal best hotel in Lisbon is The Ritz (a Four Seasons). 2nd best is Lapa Palace

@YorkHouseLisboa It will be a pleasure if you could stay with us at York House Lisboa http://ow.ly/qMCr

@kayestarley On my first trip outside the US in 1972, I stayed at the Lisbon Ritz. Lovely!

@ti_travel Bairro Alto Hotel http://bit.ly/3s7bUA and TiaraHotels’ own Tiara Park Atlantic http://bit.ly/VPcrH also fabulous!

@TeresaThotel I will give you my favs… Boutique: York House; Design: Fontana Park or Altis Belem, Luxury: Bairro Alto

@iescape Lisbon – love BairroAlto Hotel – this is a great funky hotel http://bit.ly/mzXn1 and this in Alfama http://bit.ly/dgRWJ

@iescape One of our team got engaged at Solar do Castelo in Lisbon

@davidchild Lisbon luxury boutique hotel: Tivoli Lisboa http://bit.ly/1mjK3v and for a break to Sintra Tivoli Palácio de Seteais http://bit.ly/tjKlZ

@chaletlaforet try Deborah’s blog – her apartments are lovely, no doubt food recs are too! http://visitingportugal.typ…

@KCKiwiGirl Only thing I know about Lisbon is a fab boutique hostel called Living Lounge – friend recommended it! http://bit.ly/ANYlr

@About_Lisbon Send me your email so i can send you great/charm places to eat (not too expensive) and hotels:

@About_Lisbon (off Twitter via email) www.bairroaltohotel.com This hotel places you in the very earth of Lisbon right next to the best restaurants in the area. Right next to it is also the Bairro Alto neighborhood, the coolest place is Lisbon to go out at night. This hotel has the best outdoor bar on the top floor and the view is something else.  It’s located in Chiado, the most damaged area during the 1755 earthquake. This area has been rebuilted a couple o years ago and its great to walk arround during the night.

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Thx for suggestions! Just booked into the Four Seasons Ritz. On my way from airport in taxi now! Dinner?

@TeresaThotel Very good choice!!!!! The best 5 star in Lisbon at the moment.

@YorkHouseLisboa Four Seasons! You will be in good hands! Make room in your agenda for the spa.

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Four Seasons Ritz is fab! Exterior dull, but interior glam, and stunning city views from Grd Flr spa/pool to 11^th Flr gym/rooftop jog track!

…Room is gorgeous, with huge bed, bath & wardrobe. Port and pasties de nata as a welcome! Scoffed on balcony overlooking city and park.

DINNER

@TeresaThotel restos: Eleven (upscale), Bica Sapato (trendy), Tavares (a classic) Travessa(mix), Clube Fado (fado), York House(Portuguese)

@ceciliemo Lisbon restaurant: Restô do Chapitô in Alfama http://bit.ly/19tyt2

@YorkHouseLisboa We would be very pleased to have you here for a lunch or dinner. Do you have space on the agenda?

Jill (@uktraveleditor) @YorkHouseLisboa How far are you from Ritz Four Seasons? Maybe tonight?

@YorkHouseLisboa 10 to 15 minutes driving distance. Tonight will be fine. How many people and hour?

Jill (@uktraveleditor) @YorkHouseLisboa I don’t have a car. Is there a bus or tram?

@YorkHouseLisboa  Bus 727 from Marques Pombal, bus stop Braamcamp Street (+/- 0,38 miles) and hop off at Janelas Verdes Street at our door…

@YorkHouseLisboa … this bus only works until midnight, so the way back to the Four Seasons maybe requires a taxi. On Bus watch your stuff.

Jill (@uktraveleditor) @YorkHouseLisboa Do you have veggie options? If so, then two people at 9pm tonight?

@YorkHouseLisboa Link to menu http://ow.ly/s8Re veggie options covered by chef. See you at 9 at 32 Janelas Verdes Street, if no one at door, just ring.

@TeresaThotel Portugal is small so we have wines from every region in Lisbon. I saw dinner at York House good place for good wine

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Arrived in Lisbon. Fantastic dinner at @yorkhouselisboa. Heading back to Ritz. What should we see/do tomorrow on our 1st day in Lisbon?

SATURDAY 8AM

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Lisbon twitrip. Need suggestions for top sights, bars, restos, trendy areas, things to do, touristy places/areas to avoid.

MARKETS

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Having world’s most scrumptious breakfast buffet at Four Seasons Ritz Lisbon. Need to walk it off. Any Lisbon markets we should visit?

Alwaysbethinkin I hear the Feira da Ladra flea market is good on Saturdays. It’s on Campo de Santa Clara street near the Alfama district. Take 28 tram.

TeresaThotel Mercado da Ribeira (a market) near Cais do Sodré

Jill (@uktraveleditor) @Alwaysbethinking @TeresaThotel cheers for lisbon Market recs!

LUNCH

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Feira da Ladra was grt fun, so thx @Alwaysbethinking. Bought Xmas pressies and crazy cabbage-shaped soup tureen. Lunch ideas anyone?

@About_Lisbon (via email) Restaurants: 560 http://www.restaurante560.com/; Sacramento http://www.sacramentodochiado.com/; Velha Gruta (building next to the hotel) Viagem dos Sabores http://www.lifecooler.com/portugal/restaurantes/RestauranteViagemdeSabores

@Golisbon Please check our restaurant recommendations here & ask if you need anything: http://www.golisbon.com/foo…

@BoccaLisboa Light lunch in Lisbon http://twitpic.com/j1svk Salmon wrap with yogrt & herb sauce, baby leaves, pea and coconut milk cream.

Jill (@uktraveleditor) @BoccaLisboa That looks delicious. Room for us at lunch? Two people, one veggie, 1pm. Is that OK?

@BoccaLisboa We will prepare some special vegetarian dishes. See you at 1pm.

@CeliaPedroso I forgot to tell you about this place: If you like wine it’s a place not to be missed www.chafarizdovinho.com/en/…

Jill (@uktraveleditor) @BoccaLisboa Should we ask for anyone when we arrive, or is the reservation just in my name?

@BoccaLisboa The reservation will be under your name but i’ll be waiting for you. My name is Pedro.

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Just had a fantastic amuse bouche at Bocca, Lisbon: red fruit mousse with strawberry, balsamic and basil salsa – delish!

SIGHTS, ACTIVITIES

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Most divine meal at Bocca. Modern gourmet Portuguese, Michelin-quality. Any must-sees/dos in Lisbon this weekend? First time here.

@karenbryan RT @UKtraveleditor Lisbon twitrip prep suggestions for top sights, bars, restos, trendy areas, things to do, places/areas to avoid.

@CeliaPedroso Visit also the Berardo Museum (modern art) in Belém, you’re probably going there for the famous Pastéis de Belém café

@CeliaPedroso The museum is free, the collection is quite good and has just opened a new exhibition about Amália, the fado singer

@TeresaThotel Just walk around. Lisbon has 7 hills All up and down with irregular sidewalks.

@RuteMJF http://bit.ly/DKVFP T&L guide has several very good suggestions for #Lisbon

@Andrewghayes A walk along the river is great, so is the view by Santa Justa’s Elevator, free wine at Sala Ogival, & drinks in Bairro Alto

@TeresaThotel Sights Belem, St George Castle, S. Pedro Alcantara Belvedere, Chiado, Bairro Alto districts… Sintra out lisbon a must…

@TeresaThotel some ways to tour lisbon: tram (red touristic lines) or tram 28 (regular line), walking tours http://ow.ly/s5wY side car www.gocartours.com

@TeresaThotel Last note: like in all cities take good care of your belongings, avoid empty areas at night, and be aware for pickpockets.

@karenbryan Enjoy Lisbon hope you get good Twitter tips, when I’ve requested travel tips on Twitter sometimes great response others not.

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Thanks for brilliant #lisbon tips! Feel for to send more as you think of them.

MONASTERY

@andrewghayes make sure you have the pasteis at the original place. SO good, with a steaming hot coffee. AMAZING.

@nikkib RT @JamesSnodgrass: not a restaurant, but pasteisdebelem.pt for world famous custard tarts

@TeresaThotel Dont miss custard tarts in Belem, it’s worth the long queue

@JFKAE …must go eat “Pasteis de Belem”…

CASTLE

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Omg, the pasteis de Nata in belem, Lisbon was divine best ever. We think we can see a castle from our room at Ritz. Worth a visit?

@BoccaLisboa That’s São Jorge Castle. It’s amust in Lisboa. Also it’s sorroundings. Take the tram from Chiado.

@CeliaPedroso Yes, absolutely, go to S.Jorge Castle on 28 tram (but beware of pickpockets…)

Jill (@uktraveleditor) @BoccaLisboa @ CeliaPedroso thanks for castle info! Heading there now.

SUNDAY PLANNING

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Last day in Lisbon tomorrow. Any suggestions?

@TeresaThotel When are you going to surf?

Jill (@uktraveleditor) You can surf in Lisbon?! Where?

@TeresaThotel Not city centre, but Carcavelos and Guinhco beaches on the outskirts. Depending on swell. Guincho for windsurf kitesurf.

@About_Lisbon Surf lessons 20 miles from lisbon (i like it) http://www.7essencia.com/

@TeresaThotel See Guincho Beach here http://ow.ly/s6Ot

@TeresaThotel Carcavelos – Angels Surf School from Marcos Anastacio (former pro surfer) mobile +351 96 268 11 13….

SATURDAY NIGHT

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Just walked the castle ramparts in Lisbon. Amazing views over the city. Now going try to sort evening. Any suggs for bars/clubs?

@About_Lisbon Bar open till 00h in the Hotel Regency next to the Chiado Galleries. 7th floor, has amazing view over city, castle, avenues & river.

@robertmbates Best ginjinha in the city is tiny booth at top of Largo de Sao Domingos – con frutta! Portas Largos bar = fab mojitos

@TeresaThotel Bar recom the unique Pavilhao chines at Principe Real, not trad bar, but great for gathering friends, great tea & cocktails

Jill (@uktraveleditor) When I met Pedro @BoccaLisboa for lunch earlier, he said Lux was the hottest nightclub in the city. Anybody been?

@Alwaysbethinkin Haven’t been to Lux, but I hear it’s very hard to get into. No guest list and massive queues.

@BoccaLisboa Try Cinco Lounge. Great cocktails!

@CeliaPedroso If you still outdoors, you should try tonight or tomorrow the Urban Beach, a very nice bar by the river

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Lux nightclub.. Ritz concierge can’t get us onto guest list. They say we just have to turn up, queue & hope they let us in Any other ideas?

@AlbatrozHotels try 21 8820 890, nobody answer because was to early. Night life starts much later

@BoccaLisboa If you’re in Bairro Alto, look for a restaurant called… [name deleted] Ask for a man called….[name deleted] He’s the co-owner of Lux!

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Brilliant! Lux sorted, thanks to @boccalisboa – and all thx to the magic of Twitter.

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Just left Lux, which was hilarious. I had a boogie with some b-boys and saw a comedy Michael Jackson. Brilliant. But no point going til 3am.

SUNDAY 10AM

Jill (@uktraveleditor) OMG I’ve had about four hours sleep after night/morn at Lux, and must now head off to surf lesson. Yawn. Lunch ideas near Carcavelos?

SURFING

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Sadly, the surf wasn’t up. Hardly any waves, so not much hanging 10. Beautiful sandy beach and warm water, though.

LUNCH

@TeresaThotel Have a friend at Albatroz Hotel www.albatrozhotels.com in Cascais that will be pleased to welcome you for lunch

@TeresaThotel Carcavelos beach is around 20 minutes on train from Cascais.

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Lovely lunch at hotel albatroz in cascais. Beautiful setting and great views over sea. Now going back to lisboa centre.

DEPARTURE

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Using just phone, what a great way to see a city. Best tips ever, mostly from Tweeters. Thx so much!

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Highlights: Service, views & breakfast at Four Seasons Ritz; romantic dinner setting at @YorkHouseLIsboa; world-class lunch at @boccalisboa…

Jill (@uktraveleditor) …Feira de Ladra market good for bargains; trying original pasties de nata – divine; Lux nightclub after 3am

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Lowlights: lack of sleep! Lux before 2am very dull; lost cabbage soup tureen bought from market; phone battry nrly died; not enough time!

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Great Lisbon tweeps: #Follow Friday #FF @CeliaPedroso @ti_travel @boccalisboa @YorkHouseLisboa @TeresaThotel @AlbatrozHotels @About_Lisbon

DETAILS

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz, Lisbon
http://www.fourseasons.com/lisbon/ +351 21 381 1423

York House Hotel and Restaurant
http://www.yorkhouselisboa.com/ +351 21 396 24 35

Bocca Restaurant and Bar
http://www.bocca.pt/ +351 21 380 8383

Pasteis de Belem, cafe next to Jerónimos Monastery
http://www.pasteisdebelem.pt/ +351 21 363 7423

Castelo de São Jorge
www.castelosaojorge.egeac.pt +351 218 800 620 / 2 / 3 / 5

Lux nightclub
http://www.luxfragil.com/ +351 218 820 890

Angel Surf School
www.angelsurfschool.com +351 96 268 1113

Hotel Albatroz Cascais
http://www.albatrozhotels.com/en/hotel-cascais.php +351 21 484 73 80

PHONE APPLICATIONS

Omaps offline maps
http://appshopper.com/navigation/omaps-offline-maps

Xe.com currency converter
http://www.xe.com/iphone/

TweetDeck
http://tweetdeck.com/beta/

iTranslate
http://appshopper.com/productivity/itranslate-2

streets with no names

Despite reading Benjamin and Situationists, Urban Sociology students rarely see how individual practices can also be a part of shaping cities. It’s not the only thing, but it’s a part of the picture. I love these images, although I’m starting to feel mixed about Detroit being continually cast as the ultimate blighted, post-apocalyptic city. From the ever-fabulous Sweet Juniper blog:

In the heart of summer, too, it becomes clear that the grid laid down by the ancient planners is now irrelevant. In vacant lots between neighborhoods and the attractions of thoroughfares, bus stops and liquor stores, well-worn paths stretch across hundreds of vacant lots. Gaston Bachelard called these les chemins du désir: pathways of desire. Paths that weren’t designed but eroded casually away by individuals finding the shortest distance between where they are coming from and where they intend to go.

Wrist Hole

In the wrist hole in the wrist hole in the wrist hole…I love you Susan…damn…Police

World Design Capital 2012 Helsinki embeds design in life

Helsinki will be the World Design Capital of the year 2012. The designation was announced by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) at the Icsid World Design Congress 2009 in Singapore on 25 November 2009.

“This is a magnificent achievement for Helsinki. It is an important recognition for us and our collaborators Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen and Lahti, as well as for all the participating organizations and individuals. We have received a unique opportunity and will be taking every advantage of it, for both enjoyment and good for all,” says Helsinki Mayor Jussi Pajunen, accepting the World Design Capital 2012 designation at the Icsid World Design Congress 2009.

The title of Helsinki’s bid for the designation was Open Helsinki – Embedding Design in Life. The concept expressed by the title will form the basis of Helsinki’s ambitious programme for the design year 2012.

Altogether 46 cities from 27 countries applied for the designation. An international jury first shortlisted Helsinki and Eindhoven of the Netherlands and then awarded the designation to Helsinki after careful consideration.

The World Design Capital project will bring a large number of design events and a great deal of visibility for the Helsinki region. Programme planning and preparations begin immediately.

“We will invite all citizens, enterprises and organizations in Helsinki, as well as visiting design professionals and enthusiasts, to participate in the preparations and the events of the design year 2012. This is a major challenge for us to use design in Helsinki and in the other participating cities to further the development of our cities from the social, economic and cultural perspectives, as the World Design Capital project states in its designation criteria,” Mayor Pajunen says.

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Dubai always appeared to be smoke and mirrors and, sadly, that’s what it may turn out to be.

The city-state backs debts totalling $80 billion with another few billion still on the architect’s table.

Dubai seemed to be trying to buy the Olympic ideals of ‘Swifter, Higher, Stronger’ with cheap foreign labour and ever more garish projects. It was fascinating to watch … and weird, the very epitome of the nouveau riche run amuck.

$80 billion probably won’t be all that hard for the Sheiks to come up with but the colossal debt will tarnish a little of the lustre of a place that always seemed way too opulent to be real.

We don’t wish any ill will on Dub-ians but while they enjoyed the joy of the get-rich thrill of a Neverland, so we can take a slight satisfaction in the inevitable victory of common sense.

It’s a shame that the antic of a few are threatening financial markets around the world but there is even a neat symmetry to that. Smoke and mirrors can cover a lot of sins.

Check this out: Griffintown Graffiti.

Some days ago we published the first of a serie of projects from the the President’s Medals for Students Projects organized by theRoyal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The winning entries will be published on December 2, so in the meanwhile, we continue publishing some of the students projects that are participating. This time the project is called SERVER and it was presented by Alastair Parvin from The University of Sheffield Sheffield UK.

We have talked before about food problems in cities and the different solutions that can be developed, such as vertical farming or urban farming. This time Parvin’s proposal has more similities to MVRDV’s Pig City than with skyfarming and the project speculates upon whether we can redefine what is actually meant by the term ‘local’.

Oil and Food crisis : The case for a large scale agricultural experiment in the way we feed cities.

The project takes a section of the M1 motorway in the Midlands and investigates its redesign as a self-sufficient farming system; a belt of knowledge-intensive agriculture, producing no waste and consuming minimal external resources. Based on existing processes, prices and capacities, it begins with the production of biodiesel from algae, and the residual biomass which is used as a cattle feedstock. These become the generators for a more complex choreography of mutually-supportive programmes.

Satellite view of the Server belt and surrounding farmland.

Although to most of us they are invisible, we are all dependent on a few highly-complex, energy-intensive systems which ensure the continuous supply of food to cities. The increasing concentration of those systems and the first effects of global peak oil production will mean we can no longer afford to take them for granted.

The result constitutes a challenge to some of the narrow political dichotomies which currently dominate green politics, and hints at a profound shift in the way that we, as citizens and consumers, relate to the rural landscapes, communities and infrastructures upon which we depend.

Algae farming: Replacing the food vs fuel dichotomy with a doubling-up of productive land.

The field structure is adapted to accommodate other server programmes, bringing in rent to mitigate the capital cost to the farmers.

Taxonomy of Species: Classification of man-made types according to processing functions.

Watford Gap Service Area: Our capacity to farm mobility rather than mine it implies a new freedom to redefine what we mean by ‘local’.

In the tutor statements [Dr Renata Tyszczuk and Mr Satwinder Samra], we can read:

“The project proposes a radically different approach to sustainability issues from that usually offered by contemporary design culture. It suggests farming as a ‘world-view’ and architecture as the business of farming resources. Server architecture is usually ‘the architecture of stuff before it arrives’. In this project SERVER is acutely aware of the interdependencies of the UK built environment. It therefore engages with the wisdom of farmers and the skills of agricultural workers allowing a particularly resilient point of departure from which to explore our relationship with resources, technology, economics and the processes and people that nourish our cities. Alastair’s proposal investigates the entire UK in terms of a possible Industrial Evolution.”

By shifting our relationship with food and energy, Server generates – and absorbs – cultural choices which have hitherto been seen as mutually exclusive.

More interesting student’s projects here.

Chiaroscuro

(kee-ar-uh-SKYOOR-o)

noun
The treatment of light and shade in a work of art, especially to give an illusion of depth.
Also known as claire-obscure.

Etymology
From Italian, from chiaro (clear, light) + oscuro (obscure, dark)

Usage

“Besides their skill in capturing human emotions, another impressive aspect of Rembrandt’s prints is their use of shadow and light and their mastery of chiaroscuro.” — Alexandra Koroxenidis; Rembrandt’s Power in Capturing Human Emotions; Kathimerini (Athens, Greece); Oct 25, 2004.

This word can be found on p.278 of a beautiful book, The Great Cities in History, edited by John Julius Norwich.

26.00 x 20.00 cm,  Hardback, 304pp,  290 Illustrations, 244 in colour.  $69.95

Quote:

” Sydney has grown up quickly.  Too quickly, perhaps, from shanty town to global city in just over two centuries.  ………………

……..the chiaroscuro of inky shadow and brilliant sunlight seems to manifest its moral texture.”

Sydney gets a mention in the chapter, ‘The Age of the Modern City’.  Unfortunately, Melbourne doesn’t but nevertheless, this is a lovely book.  Mostly it’s about  the great cities of the world, most a lot older than Sydney.  It covers cities from the ancient civilisations of South America like Teotihuacan, through exotic towns of Asia like Isfahan, Agra and Baghdad to the modern, but historic cities of Europe  like Rome, Venice, Buda-Pest and Krakow.  Each is described in entertaining detail and illustrated with  a variety lovely photos, engravings and maps.

This book is delightful to dip into to inform and entertain and is a great Christmas Gift.

Dick

Cities must embrace the realities of their sustainability.

From a talk by one of Canada’s most eminent environmental scientists, William E. Rees: The Vulnerability and Resilience of Cities.

Foggy Louisville skyline, by Lizzie Morrison http://www.flickr.com/people/lizziemorrison/

What a fantastic question. Every city needs to ask themselves this—some more than others. I wish I could lay claim to posing the question in the first place but instead, it was this insightful fellow. In the post, Your Civic Ambition, Aaron Renn says he would like Louisville, Kentucky to follow through with the 8664 plan. I wasn’t familiar with this citizen-led grassroots initiative until today but it’s now etched in my mind as one of the more powerful community efforts to make cities and developers rethink their often thoughtless plans.

Anyone familiar with the Gardiner Expressway and the regretful waterfront development decisons made by Toronto will want to know about this.

After 4 years of community outcry and the support of over 10,000 citizens, I think Kentucky’s civic aspiration to “86″ this silly plan stands a very good chance of being realized. Even better, it would be replaced with this much smarter plan.

It also gives me great hope for similar efforts in my own city of Burlington.

Next post? Unemployed doesn’t mean uninvolved. I sit on the Steering Committee of Burlington Save Our Waterfront.  I’ll tell you about our civic aspirations and what we’re doing to make them a reality.

I have recently discovered Vimeo, a community for creative people to share their videos (think creative and innovative, not pranks and pets on youtube!)

Here are 10 of my favourite videos relating to urbanism and architecture:

1.  My Playground – a documentary film by Kasper Astrup Schroder about movement in urban space

2. This is Where We Live -a stop-motion animation film using books to create a buzzing city

3. The Lost Tribes of New York City – urban anthropologists, Andy and Carolyn London interview some of NYC’s most overlooked citizens

4. Reulf – In a black & white Paris, little creatures with paintbrush decide to brighten up the city…

5. Vancouver’s 6 Acre Living Roof – part of the Growing Cities Series

6. Scrawl – a photomovie compiled of roughly 2,900 photographs of graffiti, scribblings, posters, announcements, and advertisements found on walls around the city of Toronto.

7. City Croquet – installation for Park(ing) Day 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan

8 & 9. reBarn Fabrication and  reBarn Installation – following the fabrication and installation of reBarn in Muncie, Indiana

10. Cardiff: Sound City – a sound installation from Gallery 39 in Cardiff

I know this doesn’t match this post (it’s from the unborn Criminal), but here’s another Sean Phillips moped scene (just here because I really like the drawing). Sean’s moped sketch for me, from Thought Bubble, will be posted this next week. I think he thought it was an odd request- there are so many other people you could draw from Criminal- but I think drawing something slightly detached like this (not a close up, helmets, clothes, background, vehicles) gives an opportunity to show subtlety. The little pencil outline and the drawing below do that. If you don’t agree, try drawing them and see for yourself.

Mopedcollection: see also the Criminal Pencils post below (10.11.09). The pencil sketch is so small, but so perfectly formed and expressive. 

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Now and again I can’t resist shopping on Etsy myself – and my latest treat was a set of Polaroid postcards by the photographer Irene Nam. I first saw her Polaroids exhibited  in this cafe - L’oisive the, while I was doing the Paris stage of my 12 City Project. ( I took quite a large batch of Polaroids in the area around La Butte aux Cailles – a little ”village” area of Paris that I knew from when I was a student. ) And at the time it gave me a feeling of “being in the right place” to be manipulating my Polaroids there.  After crossing paths with her online I was delighted to find that she has an Etsy shop, but not only that, she was raising money to help Maggie Doyne.  I didn’t know anything about Maggie, but am so amazed by what she has done and continues to do to help the children of Nepal.

The postcards are almost too gorgeous to send out to anyone – and if you do get one, you’ll know you are one of my favourite people !

Praha hlavní nádraží, is the main train station in Prague. Opened in 1871, it was extended several times, in 1901, 1909 and in the 1970’s. Depending on which side of the station you are entering the building, the impressions can be radically different. I eventually had the opportunity to discover the station and its three main historical layers from the oldest to the newer ones.

First an old art nouveau building, with the famous Fanta cafe and a second-hand clothes hall in one of the tall galleries. An old century remains, the atmosphere may be weird for some visitors, or completely charming, as I thought. Moving further, some stairs going down offer a view a long, dark and partly destroyed 1970’s corridor going under the tracks the hall on the other side of the station. On the opposite entry of this hall, fancy walls, glasses and electronic displays suddenly appear. A completely new hall, renovated, still in construction on some parts. It reminded me some airports, or the main station in Berlin. Shops, everywhere. And some signs, explaining that there is a “modernization” of the station, still in progress.

After some researches, I found out that the railway systems in Czech Republic is concerned by an European operational program, “co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund under the Convergence Objective “.

According to the European Commission website, this program “ aims to improve accessibility by focusing on constructing and upgrading the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T) network, introducing modern management methods and setting up advanced transport technologies. The completion of the backbone network will enhance the overall transport networks and improve accessibility for the individual regions and their connections. Improving the transport networks, building additional facilities, reducing their environmental impact (e.g. noise barriers) and improving transport quality for users will facilitate the development of transport connections among and within regions, thereby contributing to worker mobility and employment, improved competitiveness and increased quality of life for citizens.”

Some sections of these “renovation and modernization” of the station are financed by the Czech State, and this European Fund. An other, larger part, because it concerns the entire station, is financed through a lease to Grandi Stazioni, an Italian company owned at 60% by the Italian public railways. Grandi Stazioni is in charge of the 13^th biggest station in Italy, and ran the Roma Termini station “modernization” as well. For Prague’s main station, Grandi Stazioni finances the renovation in exchange of a 30 years lease, it expects to get its investment back thanks to the commercial activities in this renovated station. As was explaining the architect Patrik Kotas, in charge of this project, to Radio Praha :

“The main purpose is that there won’t be groups of people that expect the same services as at a street market. What we want are clients similar to those at an airport. And for sure there should not be stands with sausages, bread and mustard served on plastic plates and beer in plastic cups.” And also to say, about the architects of the previous building, who have to give their prior agreement for some changes, “I think that the main worry is the aim of Grandi Stazioni, which is to bring commercial elements to the main station. It might give rise to a fear that it will be turned into a shopping mall. But that is not going to happen. As long as I am a part of the project it isn’t going to happen.”

As the station was apparently insecure, the aim was also to prevent the homeless from staying in the station: Changing the environment at the main train station, changing its character and surrounding, is going to push away those groups – they will not feel comfortable there anymore.”

These statements go back to 2006. When I entered the new part of the station I had a feeling confirmed by these design principles supported by the architect:

Homeless are not in the station’s new part which is indeed too fancy. But they are just outside the building, in front of it. When you can’t fight poverty and homelessness, you hide it. Design is a way to do it.

Private-Public partnership works, but the fears of a new shopping mall, were right I guess. No public space, many shops. Maybe the “modernization” still in progress is about to improve this aspect. The architect was indeed underlining that it wouldn’t be only about these 11,000 square meters of retail spaces : “It’s also about creating space for social interaction. No one would want this station to simply become a shopping mall. A train station should be a meeting place.“

However, if we look again to the goals of the European Transport Programs, it is to improve infrastructures “contributing to worker mobility and employment, improved competitiveness and increased quality of life for citizens”. But here citizens aren’t the homeless; citizens are workers, expected to be good consumers as well.

References

http://www.szdc.cz/en/pro-media/tiskove-zpravy/praha-hlavni-nadrazi.html

http://www.thepraguepost.com/articles/2008/12/10/main-train-station-facelift-unveiled.php

http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/country/prordn/details_new.cfm?gv_PAY=CZ&gv_reg=ALL&gv_PGM=1023&LAN=7&gv_per=2&gv_defL=7

http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/country/prordn/details_new.cfm?gv_PAY=CZ&gv_reg=ALL&gv_PGM=1023&LAN=7&gv_per=2&gv_defL=7

http://www.radio.cz/en/article/47368

http://www.sydos.cz/cs/rocenka-2005/yearbook/htm_uk/uvod.html

http://www.grandistazioni.it/

http://www.ebrd.com/new/stories/2006/060502.htm

http://www.myczechrepublic.com/prague/main-train-station.html

http://old.radio.cz/en/article/80599