The top city in Canada? Calgary

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Then you are, as a prime example, one of the complacent citizens of Calgary that will forever keep artistic culture away from this city. It is that kind of attitude that prevents grassroots artistic thinking that's needed to build a young city into a mature one with a unique identity.

But I suppose as long as the City is fueled by money and oil and puts a shelter over your head, it's good enough, right?

But really... what is culture? Everyone seems to have a different opinion.

I don't think a swath of second rate alternative rockers and starving artists constitute culture. Others do. I don't think you need hundreds of restaurants with every single ethnicity possible to have culture. I'd rather have a nice list of quality establishments running the gamut of affordability, with a select list of outstanding restaurants and lounges. Some say culture is an abundance of sports, fine arts and philanthropy and scholastic achievement. For others, its an eclectic mix of past and present with hundreds of years of history weaving a rich tapestry.

One man's trash is another man's treasure.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Then you are, as a prime example, one of the complacent citizens of Calgary that will forever keep artistic culture away from this city. It is that kind of attitude that prevents grassroots artistic thinking that's needed to build a young city into a mature one with a unique identity.

But I suppose as long as the City is fueled by money and oil and puts a shelter over your head, it's good enough, right?

Actually I don't live in Calgary.

Not sure why crappy artists are thought to bring the city a unique identity.

You used Dubai as an example earlier and there is no grassroots artistic thinking there. Only the very lamentable money culture.

Not sure why everything that has to do with money and oil is automatically viewed as evil by many. Especially as it is often that same money and oil that is driving much of the artistic community and progress (as little as it may be in your mind) forward in the city and province.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by moon

Of course it is different, but it isn't because they have better or worse architecture.

Highly debatable. Some of the world's best architecture is in these cities, and when you think about visiting a city, you don't think about how good it's police force, roads, or sanitation services are. You think about the cool, attractive places you can visit and the kinds of things you can see and do.

Architecture has a big, BIG role to play.

Just look at Frank Gehry's work in Spain. That should be reason enough to convince you.

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Then you are, as a prime example, one of the complacent citizens of Calgary that will forever keep artistic culture away from this city. It is that kind of attitude that prevents grassroots artistic thinking that's needed to build a young city into a mature one with a unique identity.

But I suppose as long as the City is fueled by money and oil and puts a shelter over your head, it's good enough, right?

there is plenty of artistic culture in calgary...you just need to know where to find it..start with FFWD...lots of little theatres...hey what about the world famous Loose Moose...Theatre Junction many many many more..lots of good local bands playing Broken City, The Underground, Hi-Fi....Artist like Sam Hester -> http://www.thedrawingbook.com/

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Minus COP, the Oval, and possibly the Zoo, how is any of that stuff different from any other city's entertainment? Seems like a standard list to me. Nothing special offered here, and certainly not the list that a Montreal or Toronto could come up with, let alone a New York or Tokyo.

Well a good thing to do, is stop comparing a city of a million to Toronto/Montreal/New York....no wonder your disapointed...

Banff national park basically trumps anything in NYC ..Montreal ect...but i suppose we take that for granted...just like our Western Heritage.

[BCReefer]

lol - i was going to post this but looks like i am too late.

Congrats Calgary everyone should be proud.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Highly debatable. Some of the world's best architecture is in these cities, and when you think about visiting a city, you don't think about how good it's police force, roads, or sanitation services are. You think about the cool, attractive places you can visit and the kinds of things you can see and do.

Architecture has a big, BIG role to play.

Just look at Frank Gehry's work in Spain. That should be reason enough to convince you.

Honestly I have travelled as much as anyone and architecture has never been a reason for me to go somewhere. Unless you consider things such as the pyramids or Eiffel Tower as architecture.

I have seen Frank Gehry's work and I don't like it. None of his buildings would make me want to go to that city to see it. It does not impress me, it does not intrigue. I find it all very meh.

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by moon

Actually I don't live in Calgary.

Not sure why crappy artists are thought to bring the city a unique identity.

You used Dubai as an example earlier and there is no grassroots artistic thinking there. Only the very lamentable money culture.

Not sure why everything that has to do with money and oil is automatically viewed as evil by many. Especially as it is often that same money and oil that is driving much of the artistic community and progress (as little as it may be in your mind) forward in the city and province.

Anything associated with Bush and the USA Goverment is evil...people need to sit back and get some perspective...

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by moon

Not sure why crappy artists are thought to bring the city a unique identity.

Well, think about this. Sir Norman Foster is the lead architect on the Bow going up on 6th. You think he's crappy? And do you think the Bow won't help establish a unique identity for Calgary? Check out his work, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. One of the few bright spots for artistic development in Calgary, and hopefully the first of many.

Originally Posted by moon

You used Dubai as an example earlier and there is no grassroots artistic thinking there. Only the very lamentable money culture.

I used Dubai as an example of architecture, not grassroots artistry. Dubai is young, growing city, but has far more outstanding architecture than Edmonton, which you seem to think doesn't matter at all.

Originally Posted by moon

Not sure why everything that has to do with money and oil is automatically viewed as evil by many. Especially as it is often that same money and oil that is driving much of the artistic community and progress (as little as it may be in your mind) forward in the city and province.

I already confirmed this, the fact that corporations are doing more for art in this city than the citizens themselves. Why does the corporate world have to drive artistic development? This is exactly my point, there's not enough grassroots artistic movements in the city to create a homegrown identity yet.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

Well a good thing to do, is stop comparing a city of a million to Toronto/Montreal/New York....no wonder your disapointed...

Banff national park basically trumps anything in NYC ..Montreal ect...but i suppose we take that for granted...just like our Western Heritage.

No kidding... even comparing Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal to London, NYC or Tokyo is like comparing a Kia to a Mercedes Benz.

Calgary is not going to have the amenities of a city twice, five times, or in Tokyo's case, 25 times the size. Calgary has its substantial flaws, but pound for pound it does fairly well. I think Banff alone counts for quite a bit.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

Well a good thing to do, is stop comparing a city of a million to Toronto/Montreal/New York....no wonder your disapointed...

Banff national park basically trumps anything in NYC ..Montreal ect...but i suppose we take that for granted...just like our Western Heritage.

You're telling me to not compare Calgary to any of those cities, but yet you just compared Banff to New York City.

Unbelievable.

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

You're telling me to not compare Calgary to any of those cities, but yet you just compared Banff to New York City.

Unbelievable.

I never compared anything...just answered your question. lol

[Muta]

Originally Posted by moon

Not sure why crappy artists are thought to bring the city a unique identity.

Originally Posted by moon

Honestly I have travelled as much as anyone and architecture has never been a reason for me to go somewhere. Unless you consider things such as the pyramids or Eiffel Tower as architecture.

I have seen Frank Gehry's work and I don't like it. None of his buildings would make me want to go to that city to see it. It does not impress me, it does not intrigue. I find it all very meh.

Death Cab for Cutie is a crappy artist? Wow. Frank Gehry's work is 'meh'? Holy smokes.

For someone with such a such a sky-high standard for artistic talent, you sure are contradicting yourself quite well in this thread....

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

I never compared anything...just answered your question. lol

What question was that? I said that list of Calgary attractions was almost a standard list for most similar-sized cities. Nothing unique except for a couple of places.

And yes, you're saying Banff beats anything in NYC. How can you even say that? What kind of comparison is this? You're comparing a mountainous terrain with pine trees to....Radio City Music Hall? And you say Banff has that beat? Apples and oranges man, APPLES AND ORANGES!!! Wow...

[moon]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Well, think about this. Sir Norman Foster is the lead architect on the Bow going up on 6th. You think he's crappy? And do you think the Bow won't help establish a unique identity for Calgary? Check out his work, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. One of the few bright spots for artistic development in Calgary, and hopefully the first of many.

I don't know what to say. I don't think the buildings look that great. I personally don't see them looking any better than what we have downtown now and some look way worse. I don't find architecture that appealing so I don't think I am going to be swayed by someone who is suppossed to be great.

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I used Dubai as an example of architecture, not grassroots artistry. Dubai is young, growing city, but has far more outstanding architecture than Edmonton, which you seem to think doesn't matter at all.

I don't go to Dubai for the architecture. When I think about why I like it better than Edmonton the buildings don't have anything to do it with it.

I was just pointing out that you don't have to have the grassroots movement to get the architecture that you want.

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I already confirmed this, the fact that corporations are doing more for art in this city than the citizens themselves. Why does the corporate world have to drive artistic development? This is exactly my point, there's not enough grassroots artistic movements in the city to create a homegrown identity yet.

I am not sure why the citizens should be forced to do something that they don't want for the city. artistic development or movements are way overrated and not important to most people. It should be up to those that want it to be part of the city to develop it, not the regular joe to do it just because someone told him it would make the city a better place.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Muta

Death Cab for Cutie is a crappy artist? Wow. Frank Gehry's work is 'meh'? Holy smokes.

For someone with such a such a sky-high standard for artistic talent, you sure are contradicting yourself quite well in this thread....

When have I said that I have sky-high standards for artistic talent?

[Muta]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

I never compared anything...just answered your question. lol

Well... that's quite the opinion. New York is arguably one of the greatest cultural hotspots on the planet. I'm sure there's TONS and TONS of people that would disagree with you that Banff National Park trumps anything NYC has to offer.

This is getting into 'homer' territory now, lol!

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by moon

When have I said that I have sky-high standards for artistic talent?

His point is that if Frank Gehry's work or other creative artists don't do it for you, what does?

[Muta]

Originally Posted by moon

When have I said that I have sky-high standards for artistic talent?

You've implied it by saying one of the greatest architects of our time (Frank Gehry's work) is 'meh'. DCFC is a very talented band, and they are 'crappy' accoridng to you. The Bow doesn't look that great, and it doesn't matter that a great (internaional awarding-winning) architect Sir Norman Foster designed it. It's just not that impressive, even though I'm sure you don't even know the reasoning that went into designing it and the other ideas that were considered before this was chosen.

Do you live in a bubble or something? Like, seriously... what impresses you if music and architecture don't? Daytime TV? The jumbalaya of fast-food joints in one big clusterf--k on any given road because that's 'functional'? What?

[moon]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

His point is that if Frank Gehry's work or other creative artists don't do it for you, what does?

I would say that overall art is not something that interests me, impresses me or inspires me.

I guess I have other things such as sports, movies, TV, family, books that "do it for me."

I am not sure why it is so important that someone think architecture is cool or why it means that you are somehow "more cultured."