Modernist temple brings new gods to an old city

Article Abstract:

The mayor of Nimes in France, Jean Bousquet, asked four of the leading architects in the world to design a new arts centre for the city and when the design by an English architect, Norman Foster, was chosen the local people and architectural profession were furious. They were especially upset by one of the other, rejected, designers being French. Now that the centre is ready to open after taking six years to build, even French critics are admitting it is one of the best new buildings in the whole of Europe.

Buildings and facilities, Nimes, France

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One good functionalist deserves another

Article Abstract:

Publisher Paul Hamlyn asked modern architect Sir Norman Foster, designer of the Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts at the University of East Anglia and the new Stansted airport terminal, to plan the alterations to his listed house, 64 Old Church Street, Chelsea, London, England. It was designed by Erich Mendelsohn, a contemporary of Le Corbusier. Only three of his buildings remain in the UK. English Heritage approve Foster's design but the Twentieth Century Society find him unsuitable.

Planning, Design and construction, Architecture, Modern, Modern architecture, Mendelsohn, Erich, Hamlyn, Paul

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One man's work is another man's opera

Article Abstract:

Giorgio Battistelli's modern opera 'Experimentum Mundi' was first performed in 1981, and since then has been performed 40 times in 37 European venues. It is soon to come to the UK for the first time. It has a 20-strong orchestra make up entirely of craftsmen. They literally work throughout the performance, laying bricks, hammering metal, cobbling shoes and grinding knives. The music is based on the rhythms of the sounds of these traditional craftsmen working.

Performances, Experimentum Mundi (Opera), Battistelli, Giorgio

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