Comments on: The Panopticons http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/ The Neat Side of the Web Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:36:18 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Robsteranium http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-1738377 Robsteranium Fri, 15 May 2009 12:46:16 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-1738377 Surely the plural is "Panoptica"?! I love the singing-ringing tree, the whistling is haunting but gentle. I saw a guy flying his falcon up there once. The halo is powered by a tiny wind turbine. I had to rely on the knowledge of a small boy I met for that fact because the information board is invisible in the dark! Surely the plural is "Panoptica"?!

I love the singing-ringing tree, the whistling is haunting but gentle. I saw a guy flying his falcon up there once.

The halo is powered by a tiny wind turbine. I had to rely on the knowledge of a small boy I met for that fact because the information board is invisible in the dark!

]]> By: Andre http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-438043 Andre Fri, 08 Feb 2008 13:55:11 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-438043 Wonderful stuff! Wonderful stuff!

]]> By: c-dub http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-433879 c-dub Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:17:58 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-433879 Yes, two people were killed: but that was at the site of one exhibition, and it was seventeen years ago. The word "mounting" denotes a current and ongoing increase, which is inaccurate here. Yes, two people were killed: but that was at the site of one exhibition, and it was seventeen years ago. The word "mounting" denotes a current and ongoing increase, which is inaccurate here.

]]> By: Sid Morrison http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-432626 Sid Morrison Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:57:05 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-432626 @c-dub: 2 people met their ends via Christo's "The Umbrellas". One woman got killed by one of the giant umbrellas that blew loose in the wind and whacked her and a worker was also electrocuted when the display was being dismantled and a giant umbrella he was handling touched a too-near power line. I would say 2 disconnected deaths from a single artist justifies my use of "a mounting death toll" :-P. @c-dub:
2 people met their ends via Christo's "The Umbrellas". One woman got killed by one of the giant umbrellas that blew loose in the wind and whacked her and a worker was also electrocuted when the display was being dismantled and a giant umbrella he was handling touched a too-near power line.

I would say 2 disconnected deaths from a single artist justifies my use of "a mounting death toll" :-P .

]]> By: lauren http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-430541 lauren Sun, 03 Feb 2008 04:53:17 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-430541 Maybe this is just because I'm an okie...but does the 'tree' one resemble a tornado to anyone else? It even kind of sounds like one. two words CRE-PEE! Maybe this is just because I'm an okie...but does the 'tree' one resemble a tornado to anyone else? It even kind of sounds like one.

two words
CRE-PEE!

]]> By: Adam Fuhrer http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-430002 Adam Fuhrer Sat, 02 Feb 2008 18:55:04 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-430002 Stunning! Stunning!

]]> By: c-dub http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-427984 c-dub Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:15:32 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-427984 @Sid: 1. Yes, “The Gates” was privately funded, but it still generated over $250,000,000 in economic activity on a $10,000,000 investment. Even if the installation had been funded by the city (I’m sure the city incurred some costs in any case) I don’t see how that’s picking anyone’s pockets; it’s in the city’s, and the public’s, best interest to develop economic activity. And Christo does not have a “mounting death toll,” but nice spin. 2. Again, you can debate the value of the pieces as art, I don’t really care. To each his own. @Sid:
1. Yes, “The Gates” was privately funded, but it still generated over $250,000,000 in economic activity on a $10,000,000 investment. Even if the installation had been funded by the city (I’m sure the city incurred some costs in any case) I don’t see how that’s picking anyone’s pockets; it’s in the city’s, and the public’s, best interest to develop economic activity. And Christo does not have a “mounting death toll,” but nice spin.
2. Again, you can debate the value of the pieces as art, I don’t really care. To each his own.

]]> By: Sid Morrison http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-427805 Sid Morrison Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:22:06 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-427805 A couple comments: 1. Christo's projects (including "The Gates") are generally fully funded by the artist and own financing. I might not appreciate it as art, but at least he didn't do it on the public dole, picking the pockets of hardworking folks. On the other hand, I've no knowledge of anyone getting killed by the Panopticon sculptures, whilst Christo has a mounting death toll. 2. The Atom looks like it fell off the truck hauling leftover stuff from "The Prisoner" TV series to the dump. Frankly, a Lotus 7 up on a hill would be prettier. A couple comments:
1. Christo's projects (including "The Gates") are generally fully funded by the artist and own financing. I might not appreciate it as art, but at least he didn't do it on the public dole, picking the pockets of hardworking folks. On the other hand, I've no knowledge of anyone getting killed by the Panopticon sculptures, whilst Christo has a mounting death toll.
2. The Atom looks like it fell off the truck hauling leftover stuff from "The Prisoner" TV series to the dump. Frankly, a Lotus 7 up on a hill would be prettier.

]]> By: Robert http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-426813 Robert Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:49:20 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-426813 I would rather my tax dollars weren't spent on curmudgeons, naysayers, and trolls. They leave crap lying around that spoils the landscape and keep the farm animals up all night with their cacophonous, cynical braying. I would rather my tax dollars weren't spent on curmudgeons, naysayers, and trolls. They leave crap lying around that spoils the landscape and keep the farm animals up all night with their cacophonous, cynical braying.

]]> By: c-dub http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-426147 c-dub Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:36:41 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-426147 @John O'Donnell and Sid Morrison: You can all groan about the cost of public art installations like this, but the fact of the matter is that they often generate economic activity that far exceeds their cost. The best recent example is probably Christo’s "The Gates," which was temporarily installed in Manhattan’s Central Park in 2005. That installation generated over $250 million in economic activity in New York City, compared to independent estimates of only $5-10 million in installation costs (which were privately funded in any case). Admittedly, this project isn’t at the scale of "The Gates," and it’s not in the heart of a major metropolitan center, but the area will likely see economic benefit (that’s why they did it, after all). Of course, you still may not like the pieces as art, which is fine – I’m not crazy about them myself – but the economics are reasonably sound. In any case, I am very willing to see my tax dollars being spent on art; the governments of every great society in history have supported, and funded, the arts. Our continued cultural and artistic legacies depend on it. @John O'Donnell and Sid Morrison:

You can all groan about the cost of public art installations like this, but the fact of the matter is that they often generate economic activity that far exceeds their cost. The best recent example is probably Christo’s "The Gates," which was temporarily installed in Manhattan’s Central Park in 2005. That installation generated over $250 million in economic activity in New York City, compared to independent estimates of only $5-10 million in installation costs (which were privately funded in any case). Admittedly, this project isn’t at the scale of "The Gates," and it’s not in the heart of a major metropolitan center, but the area will likely see economic benefit (that’s why they did it, after all). Of course, you still may not like the pieces as art, which is fine – I’m not crazy about them myself – but the economics are reasonably sound.

In any case, I am very willing to see my tax dollars being spent on art; the governments of every great society in history have supported, and funded, the arts. Our continued cultural and artistic legacies depend on it.

]]> By: sparge http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-425993 sparge Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:48:54 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-425993 The Atom actually seems to fit the landscape in an odd sort of way, something about its rolling curves. I also really like the Singing Ringing Tree -- its hilltop location is great, and it's not so big that it's going to spoil anyone's view. I actually think it reminds me more of a tornado though. The other two, I agree are pretty craptacular. Colourfields just seems pointless, and while having a glowing UFO hovering around might seem cool, in reality it's incredibly intrusive on the landscape, and annoying for anyone who might have to live near it. But OTOH, you see this sort of thing in cities all the time -- random abstract sculptures seem to wind in parks, subway stations, outside hospitals, banks, etc. Are these any worse than that? The Atom actually seems to fit the landscape in an odd sort of way, something about its rolling curves. I also really like the Singing Ringing Tree -- its hilltop location is great, and it's not so big that it's going to spoil anyone's view. I actually think it reminds me more of a tornado though.

The other two, I agree are pretty craptacular. Colourfields just seems pointless, and while having a glowing UFO hovering around might seem cool, in reality it's incredibly intrusive on the landscape, and annoying for anyone who might have to live near it.

But OTOH, you see this sort of thing in cities all the time -- random abstract sculptures seem to wind in parks, subway stations, outside hospitals, banks, etc. Are these any worse than that?

]]> By: Peter Steen http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-425814 Peter Steen Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:13:25 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-425814 We are very proud of our new sculpture in Rossendale to the extent that i am organising a May bank holiday event at the Halo this year with local accustic bands and residents suppling the entertainment We are very proud of our new sculpture in Rossendale to the extent that i am organising a May bank holiday event at the Halo this year with local accustic bands and residents suppling the entertainment

]]> By: Sid Morrison http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-425762 Sid Morrison Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:35:18 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-425762 Bah, humbug :-) Better to have just paid off the "artists" not to have left this crap lying about soiling the view. Bah, humbug :-)
Better to have just paid off the "artists" not to have left this crap lying about soiling the view.

]]> By: John O'Donnell http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-425421 John O'Donnell Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:27:37 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-425421 If you or I left this crap lying around in these attractive settings, we would be taken to court, fined and ordered to remove them immediately. Instead, hardworking people, with a life, have had money taken from their pockets to support the wasters who do this. If you or I left this crap lying around in these attractive settings, we would be taken to court, fined and ordered to remove them immediately. Instead, hardworking people, with a life, have had money taken from their pockets to support the wasters who do this.

]]> By: c-dub http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-424978 c-dub Thu, 31 Jan 2008 06:33:17 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-424978 Lighten up, Sid, you old curmudgeon. Lighten up, Sid, you old curmudgeon.

]]> By: Christophe http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-424740 Christophe Thu, 31 Jan 2008 03:06:19 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-424740 Sid: "greekly" the name signification stands. Historically it's another matter I agree. Those circular prisons were renowned to be the hardests, even if, and you will appreciate that ;), they maximed the ratio convitcs/tax paid wardens. As for the art, we've seen much worse. Installing the Singing Ringing Tree in your garden is a perfect way to settle that old neighbourhood grudge. Sid: "greekly" the name signification stands. Historically it's another matter I agree. Those circular prisons were renowned to be the hardests, even if, and you will appreciate that ;) , they maximed the ratio convitcs/tax paid wardens.

As for the art, we've seen much worse. Installing the Singing Ringing Tree in your garden is a perfect way to settle that old neighbourhood grudge.

]]> By: attn peons http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-424737 attn peons Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:59:45 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-424737 Panopticon n. Structure, space or device providing a comprehensive or panoramic view. Panopticon n. Structure, space or device providing a comprehensive or panoramic view.

]]> By: kati http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-424456 kati Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:48:33 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-424456 Ok thanks guys. I am going to have nightmares about that Singing Tree for life now! Ok thanks guys. I am going to have nightmares about that Singing Tree for life now!

]]> By: Ali S. http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-424347 Ali S. Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:23:44 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-424347 The Atom shape reminds me of those ball shaped artificial reefs being created now for coastlines to stem beach erosion! The Atom shape reminds me of those ball shaped artificial reefs being created now for coastlines to stem beach erosion!

]]> By: aware http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-424307 aware Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:56:39 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-424307 i love the tree one. but i'm glad i don't live next to it. or hey, may be a soothing place to take a nap. i love the tree one. but i'm glad i don't live next to it. or hey, may be a soothing place to take a nap.

]]> By: Fresh http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-424241 Fresh Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:18:37 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-424241 That last one just reminds me of that one Spongebob episode. Only it's a billion times cooler. That last one just reminds me of that one Spongebob episode. Only it's a billion times cooler.

]]> By: Jazzy Jeff http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-424203 Jazzy Jeff Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:28:52 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-424203 um... Perhaps because the original coining of the word was for an PRISON, and it isn't the brightest idea to name your supposedly uplifting artwork after prisons? Yeah, taking it back to the Greek roots it means something along the lines of being able to "see all" within it (because it was a round prison... guards could mind the convicts easier). But it was still a prison -- I wouldn't name my sculptures Sing Sing, Abu Ghraib, or Devil's Island either. Dumbasses should have coined a new name. um... Perhaps because the original coining of the word was for an PRISON, and it isn't the brightest idea to name your supposedly uplifting artwork after prisons?

Yeah, taking it back to the Greek roots it means something along the lines of being able to "see all" within it (because it was a round prison... guards could mind the convicts easier). But it was still a prison -- I wouldn't name my sculptures Sing Sing, Abu Ghraib, or Devil's Island either. Dumbasses should have coined a new name.

]]> By: Sour Grapes http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-423875 Sour Grapes Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:45:45 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-423875 Too bad none of the pictures includes something to give an idea of scale. It's pretty much impossible to get a good idea of how big these things are. I have no idea why the first poster thinks the use of "panopticon" might be pejorative. Perhaps he doesn't understand what the word means. Too bad none of the pictures includes something to give an idea of scale. It's pretty much impossible to get a good idea of how big these things are.

I have no idea why the first poster thinks the use of "panopticon" might be pejorative. Perhaps he doesn't understand what the word means.

]]> By: Sid Morrison http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/comment-page-1/#comment-423827 Sid Morrison Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:27:10 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/30/the-panopticons/#comment-423827 ummm.... I'll need to look it up, but I think the *original* "Panopticon" was Jeremy Bentham's design for an 18th century prison that wouldn't require very many guards to mind all the convicts. Is the use of "panopticon" here intended to be perjorative? They sure are ugly & pointless -- what a waste of taxpayer resources. ummm.... I'll need to look it up, but I think the *original* "Panopticon" was Jeremy Bentham's design for an 18th century prison that wouldn't require very many guards to mind all the convicts.

Is the use of "panopticon" here intended to be perjorative? They sure are ugly & pointless -- what a waste of taxpayer resources.

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