The Spike
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I know this is probably a really stupid question, but are the lights at the top of the Spire permanent? Its just when one looks at the images in the construction of Dublin its lighting is so very different.
Yeah, it was meant be a soft glow, but it’s a harsh light in reality. And there was never any explanation (that I read or heard anyway) of why they couldn’t make it like it was in the images. Does anyone know? I think this came up before way back in the thread – dunno what page.
Also irritating (and raised before) is the strip of light around the middle. Is it permanent? It looks silly. If there’s a danger of something missing the light at the top but crashing into the middle, why can’t they light it gently from the roofs of the buildings instead?
Arrgh, just knew I’d forget it when the time came came but anyway: the Spike was exactly two years old as of last Friday the 21st of January – the day when the final segment was hoisted into place in 2002.
Seems like it was yesterday!
I was reading back on many of the pages in this thread and oh the innocence of it all 🙂
Pleased to say that the report from RTE News on the Big Day is still available here and is well worth a look (as is the old pinky set & graphics that look so 1999 :))So what do people think of it now two years on? Do you even look at it anymore?
Can you contrast your first sight of it complete with your perspective on it now?
Irritatingly I can’t remember the first time seeing it complete, but can recall walking away from it afterwards, looking back from D’Olier St & then from Westmoreland and being amazed at its magnificent impact. I didn’t want to walk away south to get the bus!The fact that it’s still a work in progress because of outstanding issues like lighting and cleaning probably still keeps it alive for most of us here – to the extent it’ll almost be a pity to see it actually finished!
Overall I think Shane O’Toole summed up the Spike nicely recently – you simply cannot imagine the street without it.
I think it’s just fantastic. It’s the dogs gonads. It’s even more satisfying to hear friends who moaned incessantly about the Spire while it was being built, start to come around. It changes the entire street. Give that Richie guy a medal.
James
I’m a fan too…but am disappointed by the different materials used between the base and upper part, the fact the tip is lit too harshly and by that annoying strip of light half way up it. Other than that it looks great though!
Anyone seen the table tennis yet?
They have had to put railings up around the table. Takes away from the starkness of having the table isolated on the central median!
I think that stray balls were causing trouble for motorists!!!
There is also a sign now warning players not to throw balls at cars!@emf wrote:
They have had to put railings up around the table. Takes away from the starkness of having the table isolated on the central median!
I think that stray balls were causing trouble for motorists!!!
There is also a sign now warning players not to throw balls at cars!That is absolutely classic!
I seem to remember that in the original plans for the Spire, it was to be illuminated from tip to toe. All we have now is a shitty strip of light at the top and that annoying sliver of light half way up. Anyone know of any plans to light it up completely? Maybe after Upper O’C is finished??
Anyway, how’s about this :p
heheheh – as screwy as ever Morlan 😀
AND you’ve managed to satisfy all the whingers by providing that all important viewing point – they can all climb up the service ladders!
The concrete would’ve matched the archie lampposts too were they still in place 🙁As an aside that’s one of the very few viewpoints on the street that really captures the beauty of Johnston’s portico – I really like it, a lot of people don’t I know, but much of the ‘weight’ that’s often criticised is lost from this position, a view no doubt Johnston considered when draughting. It is imposing rather than heavy when observed from here.
O’Connell St was afterall a very different place in 1814…@Graham Hickey wrote:
they can all climb up the service ladders!
:d Haha, yeah I can just imagine it. “20 euro up to the top, common now, move along! move along!”
Anyway, it’s my photoshop job but not my original photo. It’s almost impossible to get a shot from this angle. The photographer must have been waiting a loooong time for the traffic to clear, and spitting venom at pedestrians too!
No offence….
What a waste of money…
Ppl come to Dublin and see a huge pin, 😮
It’s even difficult to get a full picture of it 😡Anyway a can of beans would look architecturally better in my view
Yours Sincerely
David123
I saw this on Boards http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054948826
A good idea or frivolous humour?
The Spire is a waste of money if it continues to look as it does.
Taken by: http://flickr.com/photos/alistercoyne/26134125/The Spire has to be an important and focal part of the city centre. The whole sculpture MUST be floodlit from top to bottom in order for it to have a notable impact to tourists and locals at night.
As it stands, 80% of the sculpture is practically invisible at night. The illuminated top part of the monument looks, and to be totally honest, stupid. 🙁
A few simple floodlights mounted on the GPO and surrounding buildings would have an immense impact on the monument for little cost.
The many comments I’ve read about the Spire (from non-Dubliners) over at Flickr.com suggests that the monument is seriously underperforming at night.
So what’s going to happen? The DCC will do nothing for as long as possible. They will probably employ the cheapest electricians in town to bang up a few 500W floodlights instead of hiring professional lighting designers.
Oh Dublin. So much potential but nobody’s arsed really, are they? :rolleyes:
When it comes to politics and a will to see public issues dealt with efficienctly and competently, we are shockingly poor. I am sometimes so ashamed at the amateur nature of this country.
I have always been a big fan of the spike (did you see the runners up’s ideas??) and I cannot believe that the floodlighting that was planned SO many years ago has still not been put up.Dublin is meant to be the capital city of a Western nation….how can we not even do this?
@Hugh wrote:
The floodlit Spike will be a wonder. I’m assuming they are lighting it, now?
You would’ve thought that at some point in the last 4 years they would indeed have done so. Come back Britain, all is forgive.
Originally posted by fergair
You would’ve thought that at some point in the last 4 years they would indeed have done so. Come back Britain, all is forgiveCome back Britain? Because you are upset about lighting a piece of junk like the Spike? Oh yes, with all the money flowing into London things would be much better..:rolleyes:
It’s pitch black at night..it’s like something from 1980s Eastern Europe; as if we can’t afford to light it.
For all Britain’s problems, they seem a bit more clued in about completing cultural projects and I wish we had the same reserve of ability in that regard here.http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/exhibitionroad/home.html
It has been cloned!
@PVC King wrote:
http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/exhibitionroad/home.html
It has been cloned!
I don’t understand this post.
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