Santiago Calatrava, World Trade Center Transportation Hub, Digital Rendering
Remember the last architecture history course you took? The images of Ancient Greek Parthenon, Egyptian Ziggurats, Gothic cathedrals, etc. are all flashing into the back of my mind and reminding me the origin of western architecture and the guidance of how buildings should construct in perfect symmetries and harmony. Ironically, art history proved that art takes path like a pendulum. Modern architecture is an example of going back to organic forms, falling out of central axis and avoiding the impractical symmetry.
World famous modern architect, Santago Calatrava is having a exhibition in the Metropolitan Museum of Art displaying his new approach of "Sculpture Into Architecture" (subject of the exhibition). It showcases the sculptures in bronze and marbles, drawings, and most excitingly, the digital rendering of The World Trade Center Transportation Hub, a new generation architecture.
August 2005.Image: Port Authority and STV Inc. via LowerManhattan.info
According to the government source, the new WTC transportation hub will not only restore the essence of public station but also enhance the level of services prior to September 11, 2001. In comparison to the old Grand Central Station, the new hub will be able to serve more than 20,000 daily commuters traveling to the WTC and Memorial. This modern hub is have state-of-the-art technologies such as advanced signal system, climate-controlled platforms and mezzanines with special lighting. This thing must be good in both look and function.
If the pendulum of art stops at the organic stage of what we see today, this masterpiece of "art work" must be pleasing to our eyes and becomes an icon of a new era for the society. However, if this revolution should cost 3.4 billion dollars, would it be benefitial or neccessary for the society? Is a 3.4-billion-dollars-art-icon working out for the society? According to the news, Calatrava's WTC Transportation Hub is one billion dollars over budget. And with that kind of money, it will allow you to buy 120 apartment towers in Brooklyn.
And if the question ends up in asking is that the newer the better? I guess only the overall expense result could tell.
http://www.metmuseum.org/special/Calatrava/view_1.asp?item=1&view=l
http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/transportation_hub.html
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2007/02/now_calatravas_transit_hub_too_1.html
World famous modern architect, Santago Calatrava is having a exhibition in the Metropolitan Museum of Art displaying his new approach of "Sculpture Into Architecture" (subject of the exhibition). It showcases the sculptures in bronze and marbles, drawings, and most excitingly, the digital rendering of The World Trade Center Transportation Hub, a new generation architecture.
August 2005.Image: Port Authority and STV Inc. via LowerManhattan.info
According to the government source, the new WTC transportation hub will not only restore the essence of public station but also enhance the level of services prior to September 11, 2001. In comparison to the old Grand Central Station, the new hub will be able to serve more than 20,000 daily commuters traveling to the WTC and Memorial. This modern hub is have state-of-the-art technologies such as advanced signal system, climate-controlled platforms and mezzanines with special lighting. This thing must be good in both look and function.
If the pendulum of art stops at the organic stage of what we see today, this masterpiece of "art work" must be pleasing to our eyes and becomes an icon of a new era for the society. However, if this revolution should cost 3.4 billion dollars, would it be benefitial or neccessary for the society? Is a 3.4-billion-dollars-art-icon working out for the society? According to the news, Calatrava's WTC Transportation Hub is one billion dollars over budget. And with that kind of money, it will allow you to buy 120 apartment towers in Brooklyn.
And if the question ends up in asking is that the newer the better? I guess only the overall expense result could tell.
http://www.metmuseum.org/special/Calatrava/view_1.asp?item=1&view=l
http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/transportation_hub.html
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2007/02/now_calatravas_transit_hub_too_1.html
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