Robson Square Renovations - Page 17

SpongeG · #**321** Posted **Oct 29, 2009, 10:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by duener

^^the carousel you see in that photo is something else I've wondered about. You see them around Paris and it gives families with small children something to stop and do. I really think the city should put one in Robson square or maybe somewhere along the water.

don't mention caraousels or are those ok? i think its if you mention a ferris wheel perhaps... lol

CBeats · #**322** Posted **Oct 29, 2009, 10:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Even our big ugly stepsister Seattle...

Bahahaha

jlousa · #**323** Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 4:06 AM**

Carousels are okay, only until they become the next fad and every city needs to have one though. Be innovative though, we already have waterfalls at Robson Square, lets build a few water slides, in the winter freeze them and rent mats to slide down them. Let other cities then copy us.

duener · #**324** Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 5:20 PM**

Well if anyone has some spare cash or wants to do a bottle drive, it looks like you can pick up a carousel for as little as $50K.

See here:
http://www.italintl.com/category.php?category=Carousels

Get it in time for the Olympics. Charge 50 cents a go and you'll be profitable in no time.

officedweller · #**325** Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 8:32 PM**

Wasn't there a carousel and Vander Zalm's Fantasy Gardens castle on the Art Gallery lawn during Expo 86 - or am I imagining things?

trofirhen · #**326** Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 9:36 PM**

I've mentioned it before, and I'm going to mention it again, as almost nobody seems to react: WHAT ABOUT LIGHTING UP THE VAG BUILDING ITSELF? This is a neo-classical heritage treasure that links in with Robson Square, yet sits in obscurity at night, especially the Georgia Street side. Where else in Vancouver downtown can you find Grecian columns and regal stone lions? And yet it just sits there, wasted ! ! ! ! For Shame.

SpongeG · #**327** Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 9:36 PM**

well if caraousels make a city world class than burnaby as vancouver beat - since they have one

SpongeG · #**328** Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 9:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trofirhen

I've mentioned it before, and I'm going to mention it again, as almost nobody seems to react: WHAT ABOUT LIGHTING UP THE VAG BUILDING ITSELF? This is a neo-classical heritage treasure that links in with Robson Square, yet sits in obscurity at night, especially the Georgia Street side. Where else in Vancouver downtown can you find Grecian columns and regal stone lions? And yet it just sits there, wasted ! ! ! ! For Shame.

it is lit up isn't it? they have some godo lighting on it on the georgia side

Stingray2004 · #**329** Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 10:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Wasn't there a carousel and Vander Zalm's Fantasy Gardens castle on the Art Gallery lawn during Expo 86 - or am I imagining things?

The carousel that you are referring to was originally constructed in the early 1900's, IIRC, and was painstakingly restored for Expo '86. It was one of those large monster carousels and was actually situate east of the BC Pavillion on the Expo '86 site. I'm sure that it would fetch a good buck today.

The replica castle was originally a gift from the Netherlands (IIRC) and was situate in front of the Four Seasons Hotel at the corner of Georgia/Howe. Vander Zalm later bought it for his Fantasy Gardens site.

EdinVan · #**330** Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 10:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

it is lit up isn't it? they have some godo lighting on it on the georgia side

Doesn't seem very "godo" at all to me. What they have is better than nothing, but it's still quite minimal. The entire area is really quite dead at night, especially since they refuse to repair burn-out signage (entrance signs, etc) and insist on turning off the water fountain. For such a prominent site, the ambiance is quite pathetic. The Art Gallery certainly won't be getting a membership renewal from me this year.

delboy · #**331** Posted **Oct 31, 2009, 12:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trofirhen

I've mentioned it before, and I'm going to mention it again, as almost nobody seems to react: WHAT ABOUT LIGHTING UP THE VAG BUILDING ITSELF? This is a neo-classical heritage treasure that links in with Robson Square, yet sits in obscurity at night, especially the Georgia Street side. Where else in Vancouver downtown can you find Grecian columns and regal stone lions? And yet it just sits there, wasted ! ! ! ! For Shame.

Yes it could be quite stunning. Imagine purples and greens ect - they could change the colours to match events etc.

officedweller · #**332** Posted **Oct 31, 2009, 12:43 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

it is lit up isn't it? they have some godo lighting on it on the georgia side

It has a bit of an odd lighting sceheme - the windows are lit up - not the columns or architecture - so it doesn't appear as prominent as it could. However, it did look very cool a couple of years ago when the windows were lit with strobes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stingray2004

The carousel that you are referring to was originally constructed in the early 1900's, IIRC, and was painstakingly restored for Expo '86. It was one of those large monster carousels and was actually situate east of the BC Pavillion on the Expo '86 site. I'm sure that it would fetch a good buck today.

The replica castle was originally a gift from the Netherlands (IIRC) and was situate in front of the Four Seasons Hotel at the corner of Georgia/Howe. Vander Zalm later bought it for his Fantasy Gardens site.

Thanks! I've got a failing memory...

Prometheus · #**333** Posted **Oct 31, 2009, 11:11 AM**

It is incomprehensible that the Vancouver Art Gallery is not properly lit up.

The play of light and shadow across its lion sentries and classical portico would be magical.

osirisboy · #**334** Posted **Oct 31, 2009, 2:18 PM**

yup instead they keep it dark, shroud it in trees, and close all the main entrances so that bums can camp out on the steps 24/7. Ever since moving here I could never understand why the city/gallery seem to want to hide the building.

trofirhen · #**335** Posted **Oct 31, 2009, 3:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by delboy

Yes it could be quite stunning. Imagine purples and greens ect - they could change the colours to match events etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prometheus

It is incomprehensible that the Vancouver Art Gallery is not properly lit up.

The play of light and shadow across its lion sentries and classical portico would be magical.

Quote:

Originally Posted by osirisboy

yup instead they keep it dark, shroud it in trees, and close all the main entrances so that bums can camp out on the steps 24/7. Ever since moving here I could never understand why the city/gallery seem to want to hide the building.

If we approach Robson Square from a 'holistic' aspect, it becomes apparent how all these different elements - in this case the gallery exterior lighting - all become a cohesive part of the "package" that would draw people. It's really great that folks are using their imaginations and visualizing how magic-looking and regal it could be!

It would be rather like the "front door" to Robson Square with the square itself (and hopefully more accessibility, activities, restarants, etc etc) round the back. The object is to tie it all in together, and people are starting tho think that way, which is great.

s211 · #**336** Posted **Oct 31, 2009, 4:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trofirhen

I've mentioned it before, and I'm going to mention it again, as almost nobody seems to react: WHAT ABOUT LIGHTING UP THE VAG BUILDING ITSELF? This is a neo-classical heritage treasure that links in with Robson Square, yet sits in obscurity at night, especially the Georgia Street side. Where else in Vancouver downtown can you find Grecian columns and regal stone lions? And yet it just sits there, wasted ! ! ! ! For Shame.

I'd love to light it up also, but the hacky-sack vampires that litter the property would surely have a right royal freakout that would cause the city to reverse course.

trofirhen · #**337** Posted **Oct 31, 2009, 4:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by s211

I'd love to light it up also, but the hacky-sack vampires that litter the property would surely have a right royal freakout that would cause the city to reverse course.

Think so? Perhaps, but please don't be negativistic about it. ASSUME that everything will turn out OK, and cross that bridge (if indeed it happens at all) when we come to it.

Negativism is what kills ideas, so please forget the "hacky-sack vampires" and push for the lighting up of the VAG ! ! Thank you

seaJ · #**338** Posted **Nov 1, 2009, 1:22 AM**

Even our big ugly stepsister Seattle

Funny, I always refer to Vancouver as our pretty and cultureless/souless stepsister.

CBeats · #**339** Posted **Nov 1, 2009, 1:36 AM**

I'm honestly ok with that, it's better than the alternative!

delboy · #**340** Posted **Nov 1, 2009, 2:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by seaJ

Even our big ugly stepsister Seattle

Funny, I always refer to Vancouver as our pretty and cultureless/souless stepsister.

But at least its not in the US