BAM Cultural District: Alive If Not Exactly Kicking
The most recent headline-grabbing news about the BAM Cultural District was that the Enrique Norten-designed library was not going to happen after all because of a lack of funds. As an article in the new issue of The Architect’s Newspaper points out, other pieces of the puzzle are finally coming together, thanks is part to…
The most recent headline-grabbing news about the BAM Cultural District was that the Enrique Norten-designed library was not going to happen after all because of a lack of funds. As an article in the new issue of The Architect’s Newspaper points out, other pieces of the puzzle are finally coming together, thanks is part to the Bloomberg gang getting more hands on by moving the BAM LDC under the umbrella of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP).
First up, the Theatre for a New Audience (at right), designed by Frank Gehry and Hugh Hardy, will move next door to the Mark Morris Dance Company on Lafayette, which opens up room for a decent-sized park at the corner of Lafayette and Ashland. This open space, currently being referred to as Grand Plaza, will act as an entry way to the three major cultural institutions; parking will go underneath the park. In addition, HPD has finished taking proposals for a new mixed-used building on the corner of Fulton and Ashland whose anchor tenant will be the contemporary dance company Danspace. In addition to financing, the big question in all this is timing. In addressing why it’s been nine years since planning began, DBP Prez Joe Chan said, Coordinating development with cultural groups is a lot more complicated than private developers.
A Second Act for the BAM Cultural District [Architect’s Newspaper] GMAP
“my decision to focus on the real estate business and make some real money. As for being an academic – I’ve never had the desire. Tis hard to fail at something you have never attempted. ” But according to you, you can’t find an apartment even with your “6-figure” salary- if you’re in real estate and you can’t even do that, sounds like failure to me.
E- you always manage to sound like a pompous ass. That’s your real legend. Over and over again you have made statements that simply show you to be a kid with an ego bigger than his knowledge or experience. You are the worst know it all in Brooklyn- all mouth, no ears.You never say anything positive, you write polemics and rant incessantly. A perfect example of “sound and fury, signifying nothing.” If you think that makes you legendary you haven’t set your bar very high.
Arts Supported: I didn’t make the comment about the paint, but I share the opinion that the place needs a major renovation. Pretty much all art venues in the city need a major renovation, but that isn’t the point.
My only point is that rather than expanding the cultural offerings, we should work to make the existing facility better than it is. A total gut renovation that allows for an orchestra pit is to me, of utmost important. BAM will never spectacular as long as operas are performed to recordings.
As for my personal support, I do what I can. I teach lessons for free to kids from disadvantaged homes, and refuse to accept the meager payments from organizations like the Brooklyn Philharmonic. I am but one man, but I try to bring the gift of music to a few. I only perform if it music that interests me, or if requested by a friend or colleague.
Anon 11:58 AM: I’m not a failure of a musician. I’m quite happy with my involvement in the world of classical music performance, and my decision to focus on the real estate business and make some real money. As for being an academic – I’ve never had the desire. Tis hard to fail at something you have never attempted.
Do not confuse polemics with bitterness. One is a rhetorical approach, the other is a state of mind. In any event, the many insults here have no effect on me. If anything, they private cheap entertainment. Kepp ’em coming…
Anon 4:01: I may have a humble BA, but my desire has always been to be a musician, not an academic.
it’s too bad that NEITHER of those worked out for you, huh?
still bitter about it too…it’s painfully obvious.
actually eryximachus…it’s people like who who denounce BAM who are a major reason why such venues might be hurting. as a musician in new york city, what benefit have you given the arts by badmouthing brooklyn’s premier arts institution??????
because you don’t like the paint color of the front doors? or your precious ears have been caused damage by hearing a car honk during one of these brooklyn philharmonic concerts you seemingly love so much?? are you serious??obviously you have not been to carnegie hall where you can hear the subway trains rumbling underneath it yet it remains one of the preminent venues in the world.
you are a disgrace to the arts for your lack of support.
your comments disgust me.
Oh also – I too have played with the Brooklyn Philharmonic. It’s not a regular, full-time orchestra. You’re paid (a low rate)per gig and they do relatively few performances per year. It’s a nice orchestra, but it walks that fine line between professional and amateur. Certainly, no one can work their full time. It is not the real Phil.
They have always played at BAM and the organization does support them. When I say they play there by default, I mean just that. That is their venue, and it has always been their venue. Not only that, there is really no alternative in Brooklyn. So let’s not overstate things here – it’s not like there are concert halls all over Brooklyn begging the Brooklyn Philharmonic to relocate.
you need to stick with curbed.com erychimachus.
you’re a moron of the highest order.
Again, we see how the average Brownstoner reader thinks. We have nothing but conjecture, anecdotal evidence, and of course the ever popular ad hominem attacks. I’m misinformed, I’m a fool, a liar, untalented. I’m even a pipsqueak ass!
Is it possible to have a rational discussion here? I’m still undecided.
Anon 4:01: I may have a humble BA, but my desire has always been to be a musician, not an academic.
The reality is the people who make the music have little respect for anyone who has a doctorate. You either can play, or you can’t. People like you are the reason fine art in this country are in major decline, and the fact you delude yourself about the quality of BAM is evidence of this. As I originally stated, BAM has been ruined by educational types and you are one of them. Yes, it’s true. People who waste their entire youth pursuing worthless degrees simply lack real vision. Just look at your intolerance to reasonable criticisms. Classical music and even opera are rapidly declining in cultural relevance, and survey after survey indicates you and those like you have failed to make the arts important to the current generation. Attendance and revenue is in decline. By any reasonable measure, the class to which you belong has failed. A true leader accepts criticism and new insight, realizes their failures, and works to overcome them. A musician should know this – I’ve spent most of my life constantly returning to the great works like Bach’s Partitas and Sonatas always striving to make them a bit better.
Art by its very nature is an ephemeral ideal, and one that can never truly be attained. How do you not know this? I have no idea.
I am thrilled however that my name has achieved legendary status on this site. Funny how the truth hurts.
In a very general sense, the inability of the managerial class of the city to adapt city regulations to meet housing demand is rooted in the same failure of the managerial class of the arts world to make their craft relevant to the people.
Both are thoroughly conservative in their views and unable to alter them. Worse, they personally attack any and all dissent.
And thus we are left with the constant, ever present social dichotomy – the artist versus the bureaucrat. One strives to forever improve the world and achieve the ideal, the other follows a rulebook, the law, and seeks to preserve the status quo.
That area is going to be awesome in a few years when these buildings go
up. It may be worth looking at buying an apartment at Forte on Fulton &
Ashland before the area gets too expensive.
That area is going to be awesome in a few years when these buildings go
up. It may be worth looking at buying an apartment at Forte on Fulton &
Ashland before the area gets too expensive.