I Guess Philip Glass Was Busy
There's an old, large building in downtown Hamilton that has sat abandoned for well over 30 years.
The Lister Block, first built in 1886, was destroyed by fire in 1923
The second building was erected in 1924. "This Classic Renaissance building is 32,000 square feet (3,000 m2) with Six floors and sits on the corner of James and King William Street. The original building built in 1886 only had Four floors. It was the first indoor commercial mall in Canada.
from Wikipedia
As you might guess the Lister caused quite a bit of controversy; it was an eyesore. A great big statement that seemed to say "Hamilton's best years are behind it". The building was also a physical representation of the dying industrial economy. It loomed in the background of junkies, zombies, urban explorers and residents.
Some said "Tear it down!" Others said restore. At some point one room mysteriously caught fire, but it wouldn't burn (after the fire in 1924, the new building was constructed fire proof). A lot of red tape and ridiculous amounts of meetings later, nothing happened. A labour union that bought it wanted to recreate it in the tackiest fashion..
..with a guarantee of occupancy from the city. The city wouldn't agree on numbers. Nothing much else happened, except the occasional joke.
And the occasional gaggle of attention-seeking, ineffective or otherwise obnoxious protesters bleeding their hearts out all over the street.
Finally scaffolding went up. And it came down.
With a little help, I entered the old Lister and did what I love. 700+ pictures and 5 years later I approached every gallery I could find around town with the photographs. One man (only one) responded. He wanted to use them for an exhibition in time with the re-opening of the building. I was hesitant at first, (very hesitant) as most people faced with handing over a loving creation to someone else surely are.
He doesn't sell anything so he didn't buy them from me. Oddly some people think the lack of monetary reimbursement negates the value or importance of the photographs. I understand their logic, I just don't share the belief.
Since I donated the pictures and no one but a handful of people get to see them anyhow, I'm sure I can't be too elated or disappointed with the end result.
Which is this:
The Lister Block - The Dark Before The Light
Have a great, safe weekend y'all!
There's an old, large building in downtown Hamilton that has sat abandoned for well over 30 years.
The Lister Block, first built in 1886, was destroyed by fire in 1923
The second building was erected in 1924. "This Classic Renaissance building is 32,000 square feet (3,000 m2) with Six floors and sits on the corner of James and King William Street. The original building built in 1886 only had Four floors. It was the first indoor commercial mall in Canada.
from Wikipedia
As you might guess the Lister caused quite a bit of controversy; it was an eyesore. A great big statement that seemed to say "Hamilton's best years are behind it". The building was also a physical representation of the dying industrial economy. It loomed in the background of junkies, zombies, urban explorers and residents.
Some said "Tear it down!" Others said restore. At some point one room mysteriously caught fire, but it wouldn't burn (after the fire in 1924, the new building was constructed fire proof). A lot of red tape and ridiculous amounts of meetings later, nothing happened. A labour union that bought it wanted to recreate it in the tackiest fashion..
..with a guarantee of occupancy from the city. The city wouldn't agree on numbers. Nothing much else happened, except the occasional joke.
And the occasional gaggle of attention-seeking, ineffective or otherwise obnoxious protesters bleeding their hearts out all over the street.
Finally scaffolding went up. And it came down.
With a little help, I entered the old Lister and did what I love. 700+ pictures and 5 years later I approached every gallery I could find around town with the photographs. One man (only one) responded. He wanted to use them for an exhibition in time with the re-opening of the building. I was hesitant at first, (very hesitant) as most people faced with handing over a loving creation to someone else surely are.
He doesn't sell anything so he didn't buy them from me. Oddly some people think the lack of monetary reimbursement negates the value or importance of the photographs. I understand their logic, I just don't share the belief.
Since I donated the pictures and no one but a handful of people get to see them anyhow, I'm sure I can't be too elated or disappointed with the end result.
Which is this:
The Lister Block - The Dark Before The Light
Have a great, safe weekend y'all!
brightredscream:
I love that building.
giggles:
i like old buildings