Let's start with the building itself, the actual architecture. Union Station is a neo-classical mix of styles — European styles. The symmetry, arched windows, ornate cornice and stacked, stone walls have their roots in the glory days of France, England, Greece and Rome, in empires that were nearly absent of ethnic minorities and who felt fully at ease invading, exploiting and actually enslaving the people of Africa, subcontinent Asia and South America. — denverpost.com
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Wow, local newspapers turn to race-baiting for attention....omg neoclassicism equals genocide! Let's just burn down the country and start over.
This is just ridiculous. Please stop with the "classical architecture is racist" stuff.
The author leads with the "architecture of racist, colonial Europe" canard, but then goes on that there may be other reasons why the project is not popular among non-Caucasians. Like the mix of restaurants and shops may not be right. Like there is no authentic Mexican or Latin food there. Like the restaurants are super high-end and expensive. But no.... The prime reason is that ethnic minorities associate the architecture with European colonialism. LOL.
I have been to Union Station, and I have to say the renovation is pretty glitzy, a bit over-the-top, but the neighborhood is really happening. Across the street is a district of old warehouses that have been rehabbed into mixed use, with some cool restaurants and clubs. The street life is very vibrant. And the ethnic mix is diverse. Could it be that Union Station simply neglected to get the right mix of tenants to attract an ethnically diverse crowd? No, it must be the evil classical architecture that's scaring them away. :eyeroll:
That article is hilariously clueless and tone-deaf. What a fool.
I wonder what architectural style the author thinks would correct the problem.
Slum chic, maybe?
Exactly.
Go to the NY Public Library in Manhattan on any typical Saturday afternoon. One of the crowning achievements of the American Beaux Arts. People of all economic and racial backgrounds flock to the place, to lounge on the beautiful terraces, sit by the fountains, gaze at the beautiful sculpture, or to sit in the amazing Reading Room to browse a book. I guess the New Yorkers are somehow able to choke back their revulsion as they are subjected to the Architecture of Oppression.
The return of the Derelicte aesthetic..
Possibly the stupidest article I've read in a while. First off, it's completely retarded...but lets just pretend for a second that architecture really could be racist...if so, the most racist and inaccessible architecture would be the sleek trendy hipster crap and the starchitect crap that's that has basically been used to gentrify "ethnic" neighborhoods from Brooklyn to almost every decent urban neighborhood in the US. While this classical building may have a slight after taste of indigenous tears, that fancy Barclays arena, that Zaha condo tower, that vegan pizza joint with 12$ slices, is being systematically used as a tool of economic imperialism.
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