No - but this is MacRumors - so you're likely to read a lot of stories that both praise and criticize Apple.
That aside - personally I think removing artwork that is clearly a part of history there isn't the wises PR move Apple could make.
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Apple's Plans for New Flagship San Francisco Store Receiving Criticism
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No - but this is MacRumors - so you're likely to read a lot of stories that both praise and criticize Apple.
That aside - personally I think removing artwork that is clearly a part of history there isn't the wises PR move Apple could make.
You literally just get finished typing "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and then you immediately attack someone else's point of view using the long overused "reality distortion field" crap.
Cool.
You're missing the point entirely. He was just saying (and I agree) that any news about Apple generates nothing but negativity. Even when the store change was announced (which would better serve people since it's larger and in a better location) received criticism. This never ending hatred needs to calm down. People don't have to like the company but criticizing their decision to move the building and the way they want it to look (as long as it doesn't violate city guidelines) is their decision and people have to respect it.
apple should respect the city
[a repeat of comments made earlier elsewhere...]
ruth asawa is one of the city's most important living artists, in the twilight of her career, and should be shown the respect she deserves.
but, an interloper from the valley comes in and displaces this beautiful work of art provided to the City and her people by a beautiful native artist? and, mayor lee gushes over his "win?"
these apple stores, while perhaps commercially efficient in that bf skinner, pavlovian-dog sort of way, are glass boxes staffed by pubescent still-not-shaving techno-arrogants wearing cultish blue polo shirts shilling the latest shiny toy. and, at the risk of alienating apple fan boys, i would hardly call these boxes as "exquisite examples of what a modern retail space can be"...
an attempt to become part of the city, and not alienate the beauty and tradition of union square, should the main goal of apple as it expands.
[a repeat of comments made earlier elsewhere...]
ruth asawa is one of the city's most important living artists, in the twilight of her career, and should be shown the respect she deserves.
but, an interloper from the valley comes in and displaces this beautiful work of art provided to the City and her people by a beautiful native artist? and, mayor lee gushes over his "win?"
these apple stores, while perhaps commercially efficient in that bf skinner, pavlovian-dog sort of way, are glass boxes staffed by pubescent still-not-shaving techno-arrogants wearing cultish blue polo shirts shilling the latest shiny toy. and, at the risk of alienating apple fan boys, i would hardly call these boxes as "exquisite examples of what a modern retail space can be"...
an attempt to become part of the city, and not alienate the beauty and tradition of union square, should the main goal of apple as it expands.
It's drivel.
Much like this building's design. It doesn't fit in with the rest of Union Square. There's some beautiful architecture in SF but this building would stand out in a bad way. I think it could be fixed with some minor cosmetic changes.
Allow me to add some context - I live in these parts of SF, just a few blocks north of Union Square.
1 - This will be replacing the Levis flagship store, which is a large, drab, chunk of a store that provides no visual interest to this area. This location is a great choice. It will be at the 'top' of Union Square, from a visual standpoint and will really give the corner some personality.
2 - The Asawa fountain is a brown blob that nobody gives a second thought. It doesn't strike one as 'art' in this context and there are several other Asawa examples like it in the city. There's lots of stuff to see around Union Square, this fountain isn't one of them unless you're an Urban Design Critic.
3 - Heat-wise, this glass facade construction isn't an issue in SF. This city doesn't get hot.
4 - The Stockton Apple Store is really small for its foot traffic. This is long overdue.
Anything, and I mean ANYTHING, that's done in SF to alter existing buildings, parks, thoroughfares, bike-lanes, dog-runs, etc is subject to bellyaching. There's a whole subset of SF dwellers who believe that the city is some kind of living museum and anything done to change the appearance, complexion or demographics therein is heresy.
For real.
1 - This will be replacing the Levis flagship store, which is a large, drab, chunk of a store that provides no visual interest to this area. This location is a great choice. It will be at the 'top' of Union Square, from a visual standpoint and will really give the corner some personality.
2 - The Asawa fountain is a brown blob that nobody gives a second thought. It doesn't strike one as 'art' in this context and there are several other Asawa examples like it in the city. There's lots of stuff to see around Union Square, this fountain isn't one of them unless you're an Urban Design Critic.
3 - Heat-wise, this glass facade construction isn't an issue in SF. This city doesn't get hot.
4 - The Stockton Apple Store is really small for its foot traffic. This is long overdue.
Anything, and I mean ANYTHING, that's done in SF to alter existing buildings, parks, thoroughfares, bike-lanes, dog-runs, etc is subject to bellyaching. There's a whole subset of SF dwellers who believe that the city is some kind of living museum and anything done to change the appearance, complexion or demographics therein is heresy.
For real.
Hi,
Art is subjective and can become "obsolete" in function and form.
The fountain may now be obsolete. Not my call.
Anyway, architects draw pretty pictures and engineers tell them it can't be done. The problem with some architects is that they are so hell bent on their designs not being modified that you get crappy structures.
Example - Frank Lloyd Wright
He designed beautiful buildings with great lines.
Lines that have roofs that go downhill into a wall. Guess what? They leak.
Beautiful buildings with flat roofs. Guess what? Water puddles and they leak.
Architects bear responsibility in designing buildings that are functional. You can have faulty design, that no matter how good the construction techniques, will have problems. Architects are trained in construction techniques.
Apple just got carried away with the glass box thing. A good design incorporates and uses the environment, in this case fountains and sculptures.
Why not build around them? This is not a good design at all and indeed somebody should make them stop.
Bashing Apple? I am a stockholder and have an all-Mac house, but Apple does get arrogant and lazy at times and sometimes needs to be refocused.
Someone else already gave you the right answer to your reply. Although, it would be funny to see Foster building the thing himself! ;-)
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The mass aesthetic sense (fashion) varies, through time, but what we have from the past should be respected. Having seen a fair number of irreplaceable, characterful, vintage buildings destroyed and replaced with what is currently fashionable (around here that's some kind of mock-cottage) I know it's a mistake to destroy items of cultural significance too lightly.
Of course some old things need to go to make way for new ones, but destroying this seems to be something that should be avoided if at all possible. It is culturally significant, and such stylings will surely become fashionable again in the not too distant future.
Yeah, that makes sense. Those idiots at Apple don't know anything about making money in their retail locations. Has Tim called you yet to hire you as their new VP of retail?
Trying to up your post count by adding the typical "slow news day" comment.
Guess you can't say, I thought this was MacRumors since this is a story about Apple!
The "new" Union Square design doesn't look new or innovative. I like the fountain better. Far more interesting to the eye.
Some day we'll look back on this mall-appropriate and ubiquitous Apple box and laugh.
Some day we'll look back on this mall-appropriate and ubiquitous Apple box and laugh.
Let's not get into a whole 'He/She who has the most money can do whatever they want' thing here.
There are some things greater than money. Just because apple can afford to do whatever they want, should they? That's the discussion. Because eventually someone with more money and less taste will come along...and if we've sold out once we'll sell out again.
People may not like the fountain but that isn't the point. The point is the fountain has been in that location for 40 years. It is a work of art in it's own right like it or not. I addition to that is a unique piece that should be protected. Apple should have worked that landmark into their design instead of axing it completely. Being sensitive to history and your surroundings is pretty important and I'm shocked that Apple didn't take that into account when approving this design.
There are some things greater than money. Just because apple can afford to do whatever they want, should they? That's the discussion. Because eventually someone with more money and less taste will come along...and if we've sold out once we'll sell out again.
People may not like the fountain but that isn't the point. The point is the fountain has been in that location for 40 years. It is a work of art in it's own right like it or not. I addition to that is a unique piece that should be protected. Apple should have worked that landmark into their design instead of axing it completely. Being sensitive to history and your surroundings is pretty important and I'm shocked that Apple didn't take that into account when approving this design.
You do realize that the Levi's store there now is just a grey box with a largely glass front already, right? It seems to have fit in there for decades just fine.
The Levi's Store is pretty ugly. No matter what you think about the apple store being just a box, I think it's WAY better than what's currently there.
The Real Headline
"Unemployed Architect Doesn't Like Apple; Says They Left Cracker Crumbs in His Bed."
"Unemployed Architect Doesn't Like Apple; Says They Left Cracker Crumbs in His Bed."