We’re not ready yet Mr Piano
After so many years of indecisiveness one would have thought that the idea of rebuilding the most important part of our capital city would go down extremely well with many people.
On top of that, I believed that Renzo Piano’s involvement would have been greeted with enthusiasm, especially by those who are well aware of this man’s capabilities and status in the field of architecture. I was wrong. I now believe that as a nation we are not prepared to have someone like Renzo Piano working on such an important project, which is set to last through a number of generations.
The most contentious aspect of this whole story appears to be the re-building of the opera house. For 60 years we did absolutely nothing to ensure that what the enemy stole from us such a long time ago could be reborn. Now, a government, a Prime Minister, has taken the initiative to give to the nation a treasure it had lost.
This world-famous architect was asked to design the entrance to our capital city, a functional and modern theatre and a modern parliament building. He embarked on this project with zeal and passion thinking that the Maltese are now ready for a Piano project after having resisted his first attempt. But he was wrong. We are not.
To be totally honest I too was taken aback on seeing what he is proposing for Opera House site. I had expected something similar to the original. I would also have preferred it to be a roofed theatre which could be used all year round. But Piano is Piano.
Behind his designs there is a philosophy which you either accept or just refute. For this architect, the ruins of our old Opera House have been lying there for so many years that they have acquired the status of historical ruins. Would we consider re-building our Neolithic temples? Surely not, so why should we demolish the exiting ruins to erect a new building?
Piano is very clear about this concept. I had the honour to discuss this point with him, and I can honestly say that he is convincing. He does not want to re-build the Barry Opera House and we cannot make him do that. If we are not comfortable with this man’s ideas we might as well give him the pay-off.
Granted, this theatre might not be utilised for most of the year, but on the other hand it may give us an opportunity to explore new possibilities extending from late spring to late autumn. We might be able to combine our moderate climate with our rich history to come up with a product no one else can boast of. I acknowledge that there are limitations that need to be seen to. We cannot have a theatre with acoustic problems or with no facilities for the artistes. However, I trust that an architect of Piano’s calibre is already looking into such problems in order to find a practical solution. But do we want him to?
I have also come across negative comments on Piano’s design for City Gate. His use of the Maltese stone seems to have come under fire from a number of quarters. The same treatment was reserved for his idea of going for a ‘gateless’ city. His ideas for a modern Parliament building in lieu of a soul-less Pjazza Helsien, have also been shot down by a number of people who seem to abhor the idea of having the highest national institution housed in a building located in such an important part of Valletta. Some are happy to send their own representatives to the periphery of the capital city probably because they have a thwarted idea of what democracy is all about.
In a nutshell, we want a Piano project but we are refuting Piano’s ideas. This can only mean that we are not yet ready to embrace this renowned architect’s philosophy and ideas. If I were the Prime Minister I would simply ask the nation to decide on this project through a referendum. If we shoot down the project, we would then have to answer for yet another missed opportunity to give back to future generations something to be proud of.
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John Mamo
Mar 15th 2010, 12:57
We have two restoration schools, one at MCAST and one at University of Malta. I am sure the Royal Theatre restoration can slowly but very meticulously be done by the tutors and the students.We also have very good restorers and experts in stonemasonry. We have been assured that most of the stones have been preserved, and if they have not whoever was responsible for their safe keeping should let us know where they are. I do not see why we have to put up with a half baked idea of a semi restored theatre just because we have limited budget, when we have the human resources at hand.
Steve Borg
Mar 14th 2010, 23:45
@J Martinelli
You addressed Mario Philip Azzopardi by writing "Where have you been in the last 68 years?"
Rather that being an armchair critic not worth a bent farthing, he had - to put it in a nutshell - to leave this island due to the inherited medieval mentality that pervaded and stiffled creativity.
I am providing you with an IMDB link so you shall be enlightened about his endeavours:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0044524/
Now being such an authority, be a sport and give us a list of other Maltese people who have such an impressive c.v. in the film industry. We are waiting.
JOhn Grima
Mar 14th 2010, 21:16
You are wrong Mr. Bonnici. We ARE ready for Mr. Piano. But certainly NOT in Valletta.
Lawrence Azzopardi
Mar 10th 2010, 17:13
Having very few limited open spaces in Valletta, I am against having a parliament building in Pjazza Helsien. Just because it is soul-less at present does not mean we should give it up altogether. A public space belongs to the public. We should be embellishing what we have and make sure they are preserved for future generations.
Nothing against Mr Piano, however, why do we have to always look across the water when I am sure we have very capable architects on the islands.
J.Sciberras
Feb 25th 2010, 10:56
Charlo, I don't think Mr. Piano has read the collective sentiment of people with regards to the so called "ruins" of the Opera House.
The collective memory is one of shame for not having done anything about it for so many years and an abhorrence for the shabby state in which the entrance of the capital city is in. For those who walk past this site often enough, memories of stench, people slouching on its steps, or beams holding arches that give you the impression they could fall on you any moment, come to mind.
Piano's proposals are surely better than the sore state in which the site is in today, but fall short of what people expected after so many years of deliberation. Its a quick fix solution. Seen from another perspective, perhaps it is Mr. Piano who still does not understand people's sentiment about the collective memory of the shambles in the Opera House site.
Astrid Vella
Feb 24th 2010, 18:57
Hi Charlo, I know you to be an honest politician and I'm sure you'r convinced of what you say:
"We cannot have a theatre with acoustic problems or with no facilities for the artistes. However, I trust that an architect of Piano’s calibre is already looking into such problems in order to find a practical solution" So was I convinced of this, until I met Dr. Piano.
The first subject we broached was this issue of how the festa bangs would be blocked out, imagining that he had some high-tech solution in mind. I was hugely taken aback when his answer was "When the festa enthusiasts see the theatre, they will so fall in love with it, that they will stop their festa bangs spontaneously" I kid you not. There were journalists present who can confirm this. He also said that it hardly ever rains in Malta. That is how well Renzo Piano has been briefed. Further comment is superflous.
J Martinelli
Feb 23rd 2010, 21:15
@ Mario Philip Azzopardi
I take it that you are an architect, otherwise, your comments are also worthless!
Where have you been in the last 68 years? Happy with the status quo and the shambles on the old Opera House site?
Michael Monsky
Feb 23rd 2010, 20:03
In an era of "unbridled" egotism in design, especially when exhibited in urbanism and urban architecture, there have been many cities experiencing the consequences of the rapid aging and dating of the prosthetic design implants which are the fruits of a commercialized architectural culture. Perhaps the better part of wisdom, not to say civic and cultural leadership would be to have Malta stand as an example of higher standards to the world, hungering after the mythic tourist dollar, and resist the fashion of the moment, resist the fear of criticism and value Malta and enhance its fabric in a different way.
The objectors who extoll the celebrity of fame, in this arena as in others, miss the point of urban interventions, does the scheme augment the nature of the place, even with boldness or is it arbitrary, an implant. soon to be seen as not Malta, but an example of a period of a designers work? So who or what is served in undertaking the project : the responsibility to future generations, or the politics of the moment?
Mario Philip Azzopardi
Feb 23rd 2010, 15:10
"then there is me"....meaning "do not consider my thoughts and dreams and aspirations...I have none, I will takwe what I am given. Shame.
J Martinelli
Feb 23rd 2010, 13:51
" If I were the Prime Minister I would simply ask the nation to decide on this project through a referendum..." Dangerous words you are using, Charlo'! And what if the result is 50-50, who will have the tie-breaking vote?
Here is a world renowned architect coming up with some well thought out designs and fully endorsed by the Chamber of Architects and then there is me and others like me with little or no knowledge of architecture, suddenly become experts and with a vote to cast to boot!
No, Charlo' the Prime Minister should go ahead with the project which will have Piano's reputation backing it. We have waited sixty-eight long years and it is time, to see the rebirth of the Valletta entrance and a general tidying up of the bus terminus which has been an eyesore ever since I was a child!
Indeed, we are ready for some long overdue changes!
Tony Mangion
Feb 22nd 2010, 19:24
"To give back to future generations something to be proud of ", come on Charlo', that's what your Government told us when the scandalous Mater Dei was being built and now patients are dying on stretchers in the corridors, or mothers giving birth in an open area in front of other inmates and visitors. Would you or any of your colleagues in the N.P. group like his wife to go through this unfortunate experience?. Are you happy with the very long list of patients awaiting operations?. Consequently, one should be ashamed of himself discussing Piano's Valletta projects surrounded by these realities let alone the tariffs on the utility bills, which Tonio Fenech said that they are making good for the deficit. Surely your constituents voted for you so that in return you look after their interests and provide for them a decent living. Piano's capabilities should be discussed when we are in a better position.
Mario Philip Azzopardi
Feb 22nd 2010, 18:47
By all means, please respectfully give Piano the pay off. Whatever philosophy is behind his design may sound very philosophical but it's a damn stupid idea for a theatre. No the valleta ruins are NOT of any historical value, they have been and remain an ambarrasement to years of neglect. Are you REALLY comparing the neolithic temples to the valletta rubble. Tsk Tsk Mr Bonnici. But then you do NOT like it but are so ready to accept it because it is Piano"s. LISTEN TO THE people who will make use of it. They WANT a theatre not THAT.
Jonathan de Maria
Feb 22nd 2010, 13:50
Renzo Piano's project is as I see it based around the brief given to him by the Government to rebuild City Gate and the old Opera House building and to construct a Parliament building on Freedom Square.
Given these constrictions I believe that Piano has come up with a great project - a project that could have been far greater if he were allowed to utilise Freedom Square as open space with a car park underneath it. After all, we have more than enough land which is built up within Valletta and all over Malta for that matter. I cannot see why we cannot emulate other great nations who covet open space and develop it with street furniture to make it attractive as a congregation point for locals and tourists alike. We have taken a great leap by enhancing the square in front of the President's palace. I think that the time has come to do the same at City Gate!
In any case, whatever the decision is to be as to the which space is to be developed and how it is now time for implementation. Otherwise another great architectural project will be shelved "sine die"!