Ruby Wax - creative genius

ugly and spoils the view says Sir Norm

first published 10 December 2005

Isn't it wonderful to see such artistically minded people as Ruby Wax and Norman Foster try to stifle creative expression. Now, while some of you may doubt Ruby Wax's contribution to the arts, no one can doubt that Norman foster is reasonably talented. So, why are the pair of them trying to evict the Couper gallery from it's present location on the bank of the Thames?

Since the mid-eighties when artist Max Couper bought some disused barges moored them in Battersea and created an exhibition space, the Couper collection has been hosting performances by such heavy weights as Dame Judi Dench as well as displaying it's own permanent collection. So, why are such art connoisseurs as the former chairman of Railtrack Sir Robert Horton (or, in the vernacular, Big Rhoten Dick.) opposing the gallery's current placement on the Thames with the classic tag line "it's ugly and spoils the view".

Come come children, now let's not throw our toys out of our 10 million pound Penthouses. For goodness sake it's a working river, are you seriously suggesting that all "ugly" boats are removed from London's waterways in case they offend the sensitivities of a few? And, while I appreciate big Norms contribution to British architecture let's be honest he's also contributed a great deal to the blandishment of the British urban landscape. At last, the point I hear you sigh, after all that all I really wanted to say was that the urban landscape needs to grow naturally, to paraphrase "one mans ugly barge is another mans barge of beauty". Oh, and Sir Normsky, if you can't fit your buildings to the surrounding - don't build them.

visit the coupercollection.org.uk here

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