New Art Unveiled

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/80380/new-art-installation-unveiled-at-library

I am wondering how much this commission has cost? Do we think its higher or lower than the "Light Sabers"

Voddie: Probably lower ?


It was interesting to read that the same 'artist' was formerly commissioned by Rochdale council to create the fresco in the Feel Good Café that opened up Yorkshire Street last year.


I didn't even know that our council had invested to this extent in the Feel Good Café.

Invested? You mean 'spent', Mojo. It was no investment, they wasted a six figure sum of taxpayers money setting up the place that is now competing with half a dozen nearby private establishments. Completely out of order.

Its not the first time RMBC has spent/wasted our money on so called works of art with the usual gushing press releases.

Lets have a think about the pieces commission:

The Wave sculpture at Kingsway/Moss Bridge Road. Is that still there?!

The sculpture by the Art Gallery on the Esplanade that was made to celebrate 150 years of Rochdale. Looks like its melted to me.

Im sure the two Spires by the Supermarket were a work of art. Now look at them panels damaged and generally looking mucky and old.

Now we have this commission in 50 Smith Street. Yet still RMBC bleats that they are broke and in the red.

I may know much about art but I know what I bloody like... etc

I liked the spires, the wave sculpture and the melted thing near the Art Gallery. Must just be me.

The installation at the library will keep its value, so can be counted as an asset. Who knows, one day it may increase in value? Even if not then it looks good and may even inspire some people.

Dalelad wrote:The installation at the library will keep its value, so can be counted as an asset.

On what basis do you make this claim, Dalelad?

Chill37 wrote:Its not the first time RMBC has spent/wasted our money on so called works of art with the usual gushing press releases.

Lets have a think about the pieces commission:

The Wave sculpture at Kingsway/Moss Bridge Road. Is that still there?!

The sculpture by the Art Gallery on the Esplanade that was made to celebrate 150 years of Rochdale. Looks like its melted to me.

Im sure the two Spires by the Supermarket were a work of art. Now look at them panels damaged and generally looking mucky and old.

Now we have this commission in 50 Smith Street. Yet still RMBC bleats that they are broke and in the red.

I believe I am correct in saying that the two spires near the supermarket were paid for by the supermarket not RMBC and were meant to emulate the similar spire on the town hall roof.
I only know what I like in art but when I see the value of some art investment I realise that what is awful to some is gold to others. I therefore do not judge artistic merit or speculate on its future value.

J wrote:

Dalelad wrote:The installation at the library will keep its value, so can be counted as an asset.

On what basis do you make this claim, Dalelad?

What's happened to other installations over the years, I guess. Apart from that I've no evidence that this will do, but I try to remain positive. I'm trying to not have a default setting of cynical and/or criticising because it depresses me when I see and hear it in others so I do my bit every now and again to look on the bright side, however hard that might be.

I am all for positive thinking, Dalelad, it got me through fourteen years in a wheelchair, but at the same time there has to be realism. If one is unstintingly 'positive' it becomes as big a vice as being unstintingly negative as both are totally unrealistic. One gets people down but the other allows mistakes (and worse) to go unchallenged.

With regards to the art, the vast majority of art decreases in value, it is rare for it to increase and usually only does so after the artists death and only then if the artist becomes famous or notorious.

The question has to be asked was it really necessary to spend thousands on this given the massive cuts that have taken place already with a lot more to come?

past it wrote:

Chill37 wrote:Its not the first time RMBC has spent/wasted our money on so called works of art with the usual gushing press releases.

Lets have a think about the pieces commission:

The Wave sculpture at Kingsway/Moss Bridge Road. Is that still there?!

The sculpture by the Art Gallery on the Esplanade that was made to celebrate 150 years of Rochdale. Looks like its melted to me.

Im sure the two Spires by the Supermarket were a work of art. Now look at them panels damaged and generally looking mucky and old.

Now we have this commission in 50 Smith Street. Yet still RMBC bleats that they are broke and in the red.

I believe I am correct in saying that the two spires near the supermarket were paid for by the supermarket not RMBC and were meant to emulate the similar spire on the town hall roof.
I only know what I like in art but when I see the value of some art investment I realise that what is awful to some is gold to others. I therefore do not judge artistic merit or speculate on its future value.

Thanks for that. However I would neve r have guessed they were meantto look like the Town Hall Spire.

I don't mean the clock tower. If you look at the right side of the roof you will see a small tower,that's the one the supermarket copied.

Library art installation cost council £5,520

http://rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/127/council-watch/80480/library-art-installation-cost-council-5520

past it wrote: I don't mean the clock tower. If you look at the right side of the roof you will see a small tower,that's the one the supermarket copied.

Ah you mean that horrible blue and red tower plonked on the middle of the roof? Yep I can see the likeness. A horrbile thing planted on something that is totally out of charecter to the area.

About right.

I had an out of town visitor this weekend, as we drove along John Street they commented on the new bus station and the 'space age' concept of the new build and then commented on how 'out of character' this looked alongside the cold concrete of the new Municipal Offices comparing both with the beautiful Town Hall sitting in the background.

What a mish mash of architecture, so poorly thought out.

Thought out? One would like to think there was some 'thinking out' of the overall effect, but, is there? If there was, it's been 'thought out' by someone with scrambled egg for brains.

Poppyanna555 wrote:I had an out of town visitor this weekend, as we drove along John Street they commented on the new bus station and the 'space age' concept of the new build and then commented on how 'out of character' this looked alongside the cold concrete of the new Municipal Offices comparing both with the beautiful Town Hall sitting in the background.

What a mish mash of architecture, so poorly thought out.

To be honest I'm more surprised we actually had a vistor...

Joking aside. I dont think there was any thinking on the build. It's a nasty looking building totally looking out of place with regards to the other styling of the buidling left standing of a certian age considering RMBC obsession with dropping buildings here there and everywhere. 50 Smith Street has so many different styles of materials etc it is untrue. I think it was rushed through and put up as if the millions were burning a hole in the Cllrs pockets responsible for this eyesore. Either that or they were hypnotised by a Power point presentation. Might explain why a 15k light fitting got past them.

Whilst I don't disagree with many of the aforementioned comments I have to take issue that you would compare the Gothic style architecture of the Victorians alongside the modernist architecture of what you call 50 Smith St. Does the style of Newgate House or the other late Edwardian structures surrounding the town centre have the same effect upon your senses as compared with the Town Hall or (God forbid) St Chads on the hill above?? How would you 'style' or 'blend' any new modern structure, given the materials we now use as a matter of course and cost, with that of the 19th and 20th centuries? It cans't be done Captain!!!
We have to move on. I daresay that when the Town Hall was built many in the towns people would have moaned and groaned at the cost and the finished product for not having wattle and daub walls and a thatched roof. Chill out. Incidentally the same was said here in Wales as regards the new Assembly buildings when viewed alongside the Norwegian Church -. It canna be done Captain - - - .