finishing ...

... never happens. design is never complete, the artistry moves from one to another. the architect hands over to the manafacturer. the manafacturer to the client. the client to the user. year to year.

the handrail on the rialto bridge in venice was 'completed' by antonio da ponte in 1591. but it is still being completed to this day. the side of each handrail closest to the steps is being crafted by millions of subtle artists every year. the side closer to the water is being crafted by the weather and age. over a short distance the same material is taking on different characteristics. veiny and tough on one side, smooth and cold on the other.

the patience of construction is paramount. in a culture of the immediate, of the design award going to the product that hasn't left the factory or had the scaffolding removed, the concept of bedding in and of time as an artist are being lost.



also ...

the world institute of slowness
the jake and dinos chapman reworkings of goya and hogarth
damien hirst's 'a thousand years'
the at-risk skatepark on london's southbank