Joern Utzon (Jørn Utzon), the architect who designed the UNESCO heritage-listed Sydney Opera House (see photos in lights) with its unique sail-design died last night. One of the most iconic and identifiable travel wonders of the twentieth century, and along with many superb buildings crafted in his own country of Denmark, the Sydney Opera House will remain as a legacy to Utzon's creative genius for many centuries to come. Sadly, in dispute with the local government (since settled), he never returned to Australia to see the final result of his prize-winning design. Utzon was awarded the Pritzker Prize (the "Nobel Prize of architecture") and the keys to the city of Sydney in his distinguished career.
The lights will be dimmed this evening to honour the memory of this visionary man.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Sydney Opera House Designer Passes Away
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6 comments:
So we lose another genius!
Sydney is the only city I have visited in Australia, I love the angle to see Sydney Opera House from the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
I believed even he never returned to Australia to see the final result of his design, he could see it from everywhere at any kind of media, and knew how people loved it!
I never knew his name, but his artistry is certainly world-renowned. How sad that he never saw its physical completion, but I'm guessing that, as "creator", he could see it in all its glory in his own head and heart. Hope so...
that is tragic. he made a good building, even if he left he project half way!
@iwalk: I'm sure he could see it in his mind.
@footsteps: His name is not very well known even in Sydney. It is a good story of the whole process with the usual government indecision.
@nomadicmatt: It all worked out OK in the end.
A genious architecture indeed, which is high on my wish list of places to visit.
One day.... *dreaming*
@lifecruiser: It is a long way by boat!!
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