The top city in Canada? Calgary

[moon]

Originally Posted by Muta

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?

What does liking architecture or not have to do with living in a bubble? I have lived and travelled in numerous countries/continents so I am not sure if that qualifies as a bubble or not.

I like music, just not a fan of Death Cab for Cutie. Didn't realize they were the gold standard for liking music or not.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by moon

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 don't believe that. Are you saying that the Burj Al-Arab Hotel isn't something you'd go see? Something tells me that if you actually went to Dubai, your interest would kindle to go see a building like this built on WATER. That's architectural genius right there. If this sort of architecture doesn't do it for you, I am seriously perplexed as to what does interest you!

Originally Posted by moon

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.

Again, that's the attitude of a complacent citizen. "If I don't have to, why should I?" One of the caveats of artistic splendor is proactive thinking. This applies to not only architecture, but a world of other fields such as industrial design, environmental design, and urban planning. If people can't be bothered to get up and think, what's the point of even having imagination in the first place?

Everyone has an artistic touch, some just don't realize it. And refusing to realize it is a sad state of affairs, IMO, and an all too-common story for Calgarians who feel affluence and wealth are more important.

I have a friend who's an incredible artist with a great sense of design, both in drawing and in cooking. His parents are making him go into business though, because that's how he can make the most money the fastest, and they'll shun him from the family if he goes into art. This is a good example of wasted talent and business culture being engrained in people's heads. Sad, really.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I don't believe that. Are you saying that the Burj Al-Arab Hotel isn't something you'd go see? Something tells me that if you actually went to Dubai, your interest would kindle to go see a building like this built on WATER. That's architectural genius right there. If this sort of architecture doesn't do it for you, I am seriously perplexed as to what does interest you!

I have been to Dubai numerous times and stayed at the Hotel. Although we stayed at the smaller part not in the actual tower with the massive rooms, but I have been to those rooms as well. I enjoyed going to Wild Wadi more, going to the Gold Souk, seeing the indoor ski hill. The older parts, what is left interest me more than the new flashy buildings that are going up there now.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by moon

I have been to Dubai numerous times and stayed at the Hotel. Although we stayed at the smaller part not in the actual tower with the massive rooms, but I have been to those rooms as well. I enjoyed going to Wild Wadi more, going to the Gold Souk, seeing the indoor ski hill. The older parts, what is left interest me more than the new flashy buildings that are going up there now.

Well, architecturally, which one is more interesting to you? Dubai or Edmonton?

[moon]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Again, that's the attitude of a complacent citizen. "If I don't have to, why should I?" One of the caveats of artistic splendor is proactive thinking. This applies to not only architecture, but a world of other fields such as industrial design, environmental design, and urban planning. If people can't be bothered to get up and think, what's the point of even having imagination in the first place?

Everyone has an artistic touch, some just don't realize it. And refusing to realize it is a sad state of affairs, IMO, and an all too-common story for Calgarians who feel affluence and wealth are more important.

I have a friend who's an incredible artist with a great sense of design, both in drawing and in cooking. His parents are making him go into business though, because that's how he can make the most money the fastest, and they'll shun him from the family if he goes into art. This is a good example of wasted talent and business culture being engrained in people's heads. Sad, really.

But it isn't that I don't have to it is that I don't want to. There is a big difference. If I wanted to help develop an artistic culture in Calgary I would be all for doing everything I could. you seem to assume that because you want to see more of an artistic culture that everyone else does as well. It has nothing to do with being complacent and everything to do with not wanting the artistic culture there in the first place.

I think that sucks that your friend is in that position and would say he should not worry about his family and go to art. I support others around me that are into artist things. My wife loves photography and I do everything I can to support her in it, whether it is helping her with her shots, buying her classes/equipment, going with her while she goes to places she thinks is cool to take photos of.

I am not some grump that things art should be dead but I am not going to get excited about things that I do not find interesting or that I do not find is that important to a city or society.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Well, architecturally, which one is more interesting to you? Dubai or Edmonton?

Haven't really thought about it but to make you happy Dubai.

Although is was more appealing back in the day when they had more of the older traditional buildings there than now with the modern buildings going up.

Again architecture is not something that interests me or affects me so I really don't think either one is all that much better than the other.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by moon

But it isn't that I don't have to it is that I don't want to.

I apologize if it sounds like I'm arguing with you, but you'll have to excuse me. I'm just perplexed that for someone who's traveled everywhere and sees all these things doesn't take notice to most architecture whatsoever, and isn't the least bit inspired by it. You must be an exception to the rule, because seeing other places in the world would give most people an appreciation for what's different and unique, I guess.

[RougeUnderoos]

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.

"let alone New York or Tokyo".

Ya think?

In other news, Lake Winnipeg absolutely sucks compared to the Atlantic Ocean.

I don't know exactly what it is you expect from a city out in the middle of nowhere, that just broke the one million mark. If you think it'll be anything like effing New York City then no wonder you don't like it.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I apologize if it sounds like I'm arguing with you, but you'll have to excuse me. I'm just perplexed that for someone who's traveled everywhere and sees all these things doesn't take notice to most architecture whatsoever, and isn't the least bit inspired by it. You must be an exception to the rule, because seeing other places in the world would give most people an appreciation for what's different and unique, I guess.

I don't think that I have ever said that I haven't seen things that were different and unique. Just that architecturally, specifically modern architecture, I haven't seen anything that has inspired me.

I may be being too literal in my view of what architecture is though. As I said things like the pyramids, Eiffel Tower, Tower of London, The Blue Mosque, Notre Dame etc. are all cool things that I really enjoyed.

However, buildings such as the Guggenhiem, London City Hall, the Burj Hotel and other modern buildings do not inspire me.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

I don't know exactly what it is you expect from a city out in the middle of nowhere, that just broke the one million mark. If you think it'll be anything like effing New York City then no wonder you don't like it.

Which is why I can't wait to move again. Calgary is an easy, comfortable city to live in that offers safety and a good job. Hey, if that works for some people, then they can roll with it. I can't wait to move back to a place that has a much more developed identity with unique entertainment and a mature artistic scene.

And this is coming from a guy born and raised in Calgary. After I came back from travelling, I just became disenchanted with this place.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I have a friend who's an incredible artist with a great sense of design, both in drawing and in cooking. His parents are making him go into business though, because that's how he can make the most money the fastest, and they'll shun him from the family if he goes into art. This is a good example of wasted talent and business culture being engrained in people's heads. Sad, really.

i think this reflects more on your friend being a pushover then the culture of the city. tell your friend to grow some stones. Eventually he will have to move out of his parents basement.

[Dan02]

To me architecture is extremely boring on its own. It is history that makes architecture interesting and unfortunately you can just manufacture that and call it a day.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Dan02

i think this reflects more on your friend being a pushover then the culture of the city. tell your friend to grow some stones. Eventually he will have to move out of his parents basement.

Already did, and going to Japan at the end of his degree in April.

His dad is making money in geologic business here, and wants his sone to do the same because now is the time to make money.

An incredibly naive reason to pursue a career path, the almighty dollar, if you ask me.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

"let alone New York or Tokyo".

Ya think?

In other news, Lake Winnipeg absolutely sucks compared to the Atlantic Ocean.

I don't know exactly what it is you expect from a city out in the middle of nowhere, that just broke the one million mark. If you think it'll be anything like effing New York City then no wonder you don't like it.

So doesn't this provide a case for Calgary to start making its artistic / architectural / cultural / social mark on an international level? I think the time has finally arrived for it in this city. With the influx of foreign workers into the Calgary population base, I would hope that this City's priority is to promote the internationality of this city and culturally exploit what we can offer to its fullest extent of its resources.

If there was ever a time to take that next stage in the evolution of a middle-of-the-road city into a world-class one, now is the time with the recent breaking of the 1 million mark in population and the red hot economy that doesn't look to be ending anytime soon.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Dan02

To me architecture is extremely boring on its own. It is history that makes architecture interesting and unfortunately you can just manufacture that and call it a day.

You're arguing two different things here. One, you're saying architecture is all-together boring. But secondly, you're saying that classic architecture is interesting.

You don't like modern architecture then, I'm gathering? You'd prefer the pyramids over a Frank Gehry building then?

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Dan02

To me architecture is extremely boring on its own. It is history that makes architecture interesting and unfortunately you can just manufacture that and call it a day.

You can't just look at a building that displays architectural ingenuity and appreciate it in its wholesomeness? Like, taking the time to appreciate the edges, the curves, the dimensions, the way light is reflected off of it, the way it serves a higher purpose for society?

You are most definitely entitled to your opinion, but if that's your view on architecture then I'm glad you aren't a city planner, because we'd all be living in monotonous cloned huts.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

You're arguing two different things here. One, you're saying architecture is all-together boring. But secondly, you're saying that classic architecture is interesting.

You don't like modern architecture then, I'm gathering? You'd prefer the pyramids over a Frank Gehry building then?

No i didn't say i dont like modern architecture. Yes I would prefer the pyramids 10 times out of 10.

slappin up a random buildin that is completely out of place in downtown calgary is not my idea of interesting architecture. neither are the 1000 cookie cutter condos that were going up in vancouver when i was there a couple years ago.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by Muta

You can't just look at a building that displays architectural ingenuity and appreciate it in its wholesomeness? Like, taking the time to appreciate the edges, the curves, the dimensions, the way light is reflected off of it, the way it serves a higher purpose for society?

You are most definitely entitled to your opinion, but if that's your view on architecture then I'm glad you aren't a city planner, because we'd all be living in monotonous cloned huts.

weird i never said we should all live in cloned hut. Whyd you come to that conclusion?

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Dan02

No i didn't say i dont like modern architecture. Yes I would prefer the pyramids 10 times out of 10.

slappin up a random buildin that is completely out of place in downtown calgary is not my idea of interesting architecture. neither are the 1000 cookie cutter condos that were going up in vancouver when i was there a couple years ago.

Well buildings in downtown Calgary have to follow certain standards (such as the 'shadow' rule), but then would you want rows and rows of similarly-designed buildings? Would that not get boring or monotonous to you?

Sometimes a good city needs some off-the-wall architecture to add contrast to a downtown landscape.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Dan02

weird i never said we should all live in cloned hut. Whyd you come to that conclusion?

LOL. Gee, you didn't say that? What a revelation!

Your view on architecture, however, would not be suited to benefitting any kind of city planning issues, and therefore a city planner is something I'm glad you're not. I thought that was pretty easy to decipher, but I guess not to some.