Piano’s is not just a “building”

My sincere apologies to Chris for misunderstanding his post and thanks to Baxxter for putting me right.

My only excuse for the error is that my mind was still stunned and muddled up after listening to Zaren tal-Ajkla on radio speaking so stupidly and irrationally about the Piano project.

I reacted without thinking because I had no idea then who this Zaren was.

Now that I know something about him, I realize it would have been better to ignore him.

I apologize to Chris again.

Beside the fact that the area was cluttered up with monuments way before some genius thought to plop a “mafkar” for V18.

You have the cenotaph, two RMA plinths, the RAF monument and Dun Karm all within a 50-metre radius. You have a massive open carpark that’s tangle of cars, concrete, service stations, pipes and signs, ten metres away. You have a congested bus station to the left.

And a very busy road full of noisy traffic to the right. The backdrop to the monument is not a smooth surface or a wide vista, but a jumble of vehicles.

All in all, the worst spot ever. It would make even the most beautiful of sculptures look out of place.

That V18 monument (it’s not an installation – that would imply temporary) is but an example of horror vacui.

Beside the fact that they had to chop some of those pine trees to make space.

Chris was referring to the “V18” monument just off the bus station. I agree with Chris – it’s hideous.

Unfortunately filling spaces up to the brim seems to reside within the Maltese genetic makeup. It is really a sign of stinginess and the need to squeeze something completely dry and beyond the last drop.

It is what many people think is value for money and it is not restricted to architecture nor is it limited to a specific class of people.

History teaches us that the most influential and successful civilizations did not thrive on the value for money concept but rather on the value of splendour.

Regrettably, yes, culturally we are still in the Dark Ages and Chris Briffa’s V18 installation does not lighten it by one femtowatt.

Chris, every time I go to Rome, and I have gone there quite a few times, I go to a particular spot in St Peter’s Square from where you have the most astonishing view of the basilica and the colonnade.

Maybe you consider even Michelangelo or Bernini as lifeless, ordinary and plain architects.

The creators of that architectural marvel, still admired by millions all over the world, lived much closer to the Dark Ages but they had a mind full of light and vision. And I strongly believe that their works and inspiration will still be there to be admired long after a certain Chris and his strange architectural ideas are gone and completely forgotten.

And in years to come, Renzo Piano’s masterpiece for the entrance to Valletta will appear in international brochures and press when you can no longer pass such silly remarks to publicise your lack of an aesthetic sense.

As for the so-called grey slabs, well I pass that every day and happen to like it. Takes all sorts.