Foreign architects invading Italy - perhaps
Ah, this is really one of my favourites.
I feel good when I read this stuff, since the media every now and then wakes up and realises our country is going to the bog. There's uproar for about 2 months, then everyone forgets the issue in the name of other much more compelling stuff, such as whether a party named UDC is going to run together with mr. Berlusconi's Forza Italia in the next elections or not. I'm not talking bullshit, unfortunately.
Back to the initial issue, it's damn serious in itself: Italian architects claim foreign designs are invading Italy.
Now you may be tempted to feel bad about this. Think about it: we taught the world how to build sports arenas, villas, sewage systems, aqueducts, churches, temples, cities and you name it, and now we're succumbing to foreigners. We built the first artificial canal when the Germans didn't even know how to eat with one hand instead of two, and we invented the concept of water distribution when the English were still wondering how to get to the other side of the Thames and now we're losing ground to Iraqis and Japanese.
So it may sound serious that foreign architects are now building in Italy. But stop for a moment and think. Renzo Piano's work is acclaimed worldwide, and it was him they chose for the rebuilding of Berlin's Potsdamer Platz (the Sony Center is absolutely stunning - go there if you haven't seen it!). When the Chinese want to add a new residential area in Shanghai (called Pujan) they ring Vittorio Gregotti's bell. And many times have the Belgians commissioned work from Ettore Sottsass.
So what's the big deal about? we're still exporting architecture and creativity! Who cares if we don't get work in Italy! This is the nice part of globalization, why complain about it? tired of travelling perhaps? In fact, this smells suspiciously of a protectionism request, and these times it's not fashionable. Is there a reason why red tape and delays for Italian commissions should not affect foreign firms as well? ok, for sure having your company registered in Italy does mean a lot of unnecessary bureaucratic achievements, but does this really justify appealing to the President?
Mr. Architects, we are proud of you. Don't spend your precious time moaning about this stuff. As Dante Benini rightly puts it, whoever presents the best work wins.
I feel good when I read this stuff, since the media every now and then wakes up and realises our country is going to the bog. There's uproar for about 2 months, then everyone forgets the issue in the name of other much more compelling stuff, such as whether a party named UDC is going to run together with mr. Berlusconi's Forza Italia in the next elections or not. I'm not talking bullshit, unfortunately.
Back to the initial issue, it's damn serious in itself: Italian architects claim foreign designs are invading Italy.
Now you may be tempted to feel bad about this. Think about it: we taught the world how to build sports arenas, villas, sewage systems, aqueducts, churches, temples, cities and you name it, and now we're succumbing to foreigners. We built the first artificial canal when the Germans didn't even know how to eat with one hand instead of two, and we invented the concept of water distribution when the English were still wondering how to get to the other side of the Thames and now we're losing ground to Iraqis and Japanese.
So it may sound serious that foreign architects are now building in Italy. But stop for a moment and think. Renzo Piano's work is acclaimed worldwide, and it was him they chose for the rebuilding of Berlin's Potsdamer Platz (the Sony Center is absolutely stunning - go there if you haven't seen it!). When the Chinese want to add a new residential area in Shanghai (called Pujan) they ring Vittorio Gregotti's bell. And many times have the Belgians commissioned work from Ettore Sottsass.
So what's the big deal about? we're still exporting architecture and creativity! Who cares if we don't get work in Italy! This is the nice part of globalization, why complain about it? tired of travelling perhaps? In fact, this smells suspiciously of a protectionism request, and these times it's not fashionable. Is there a reason why red tape and delays for Italian commissions should not affect foreign firms as well? ok, for sure having your company registered in Italy does mean a lot of unnecessary bureaucratic achievements, but does this really justify appealing to the President?
Mr. Architects, we are proud of you. Don't spend your precious time moaning about this stuff. As Dante Benini rightly puts it, whoever presents the best work wins.
posted by mac | 19:10
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