Sunday, May 08, 2022

The Sunday Five - The Vessel




 These photos are the Vessel at Hudson Yards in New York city.  To put it mildly it is controversial and raises more questions than it answers.  

1: Is it art? 

2: The elevator runs up the inside moving back as each level steps out, have you ridden an elevator like that? 

3: Everything above the ground floor is closed, because of jumpers, aka suicides.  Any idea how it could be made safe? 

4: Would you climb it? 

5: How long do you think it will be there? 

My Answers: 

1: Is it art? Probably, it makes you look and think. 

2: The elevator runs up the inside moving back as each level steps out, have you ridden an elevator like that? Yes, the first one in the world is inside the George Washington Masonic Memorial just down the hill from home.  

3: Everything above the ground floor is closed, because of jumpers, aka suicides.  Any idea how it could be made safe?  Nets? Can it be done without destroying the look? 

4: Would you climb it? I'd take the elevator to the top and walk down. 

5: How long do you think it will be there? My guess is it will take them 20 years to decide to tear it down. 

Please share your answers in the comments. 


19 comments:

  1. I rather like it
    I’d call it The pine Cone

    ReplyDelete
  2. 1: Is it art? Sure
    2: The elevator runs up the inside moving back as each level steps out, have you ridden an elevator like that? Never
    3: Everything above the ground floor is closed, because of jumpers, aka suicides. Any idea how it could be made safe? That would be take an expert... or seven.
    4: Would you climb it? Definitely
    5: How long do you think it will be there? I had heard there were already plans for it to be removed.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous5/08/2022

    1. It is interesting and creates conversation so I would say yes, it is art.
    2. I've never heard of a lift like that, let alone experienced one, but I would like to.
    3. I don't know. Suicide by jumping prevention usually involves some ugly infrastructure.
    4. I don't do climbing at my age.
    5. It could become an iconic building and perhaps not pulled down.

    ReplyDelete
  4. 1. It is art.
    2. I haven't ridden one like that - of which I know.
    3. They made is safe(r) with the lucite partitions. I think it lost some of its appeal by having those. But I also get the liability part.
    4. I have climbed it. About a month after it opened. We didn't use the elevator.
    5. I think it will be there a while. However, it might be just seen and not allow folks inside to climb.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One of the rare people who climbed it

      Delete
  5. 1: Is it art? Like you said, it makes you think, so, yeah, it's art.

    2: The elevator runs up the inside moving back as each level steps out, have you ridden an elevator like that? I haven't, but it reminds me of a funicular.

    3: Everything above the ground floor is closed, because of jumpers, aka suicides. Any idea how it could be made safe? Sadly, I think plexiglass walls, but then you lose that sense of air as you go higher. You'd think the designers might have thought of that!

    4: Would you climb it? Yeah I would ... because it's there.

    5: How long do you think it will be there? Sadly, I think it's days might be numbered.

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  6. It looks amazing and I do think it's art but the first time I ever saw a photo of it, the jumpers problem was immediately obvious. Each level needs to be entirely glassed in to prevent that issue.

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  7. 1: Is it art? Yes

    2: The elevator runs up the inside moving back as each level steps out, have you ridden an elevator like that? Yes, in the St. Louis Arch.

    3: Everything above the ground floor is closed, because of jumpers, aka suicides. Any idea how it could be made safe? No ideas.

    4: Would you climb it? No. Maybe 30 years ago but not now.

    5: How long do you think it will be there? I think it will stay for a while.

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  8. yes it is art and no Would not climb or enter it.

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  9. My husband and I were in NYC when The Vessel opened. We had been at the High Line and then walked to Hudson Yards to check it out. A young man handed us tickets; we climbed the steps and walked all the levels. The Vessel is art (looks like a big honeycomb to me) and it's unfortunate that people can't participate in its intended experience. Beautiful views/perspectives of the river and city.

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  10. 1: Is it art? Yes. I find it very creative.

    2: The elevator runs up the inside moving back as each level steps out, have you ridden an elevator like that? I didn't take the elevator when I visited.

    3: Everything above the ground floor is closed, because of jumpers, aka suicides. Any idea how it could be made safe? I had no idea it closed. Enclose it completely.

    4: Would you climb it? DID!

    5: How long do you think it will be there? I may stay there, but if it doesn't re-open, it give it 20-30 years.

    Friends of mine who live in the city say the city is very disappointed in the Hudson Yards development and is not going as well as they would have expected. Even the Neiman Marcus store didn't last a year...to fault their own. But it is now jump starting other retail to leave. Of course many locals find that whole area to touristy and they will avoid it.

    ReplyDelete