Last year I wrote about the reasons why modern/contemporary architecture is so often dreary, devoid of soul and downright ugly. I used Malta as an example since at the time I was studying Maltese architecture and meeting with many architects and artists working in Malta. Now you can read my long overdue architect manifesto in which I present solutions to this problem.
Continue reading “Architecture as a cure for nihilism”From National Geographic to Instagram
One day, you might put your feet on this beach, and take in the same stunning view. One day, but not any time soon. Because pristine views come with strings attached. In contrast to Disney movies, pure nature isn’t very friendly. It is an indifferent force, feeding you as much as it is trying to destroy you. And my job is to neutralize those destructive forces so that perhaps only a few years from now, you get to stay in a beautiful eco-resort in a remote region of Panama.
Continue reading “From National Geographic to Instagram”Free T-shirt design: Sheep your distance
As highlighted in my previous post, lockdown measures are very harmful to society and do not seem to have much effect to stop the spread of the coronavirus. It is not a choice between the economy and our health. A healthy economy allows us to pay for good healthcare: a large economic crash means thousands of people will die. Both directly from anxiety, overdose and suicide, as well as indirectly: hazards and diseases for which we no longer have the funds to prevent or treat. In poorer countries some people are already starving. Continue reading “Free T-shirt design: Sheep your distance”
All aboard flight Covid-19
Even though most of the world has closed down in response to the coronavirus, flights are still leaving to a few destinations. Last week I went to Mexico City leaving from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. What’s it like to fly when the whole world is in fear? And how do they deal with the coronavirus in one of the biggest cities in the world? Continue reading “All aboard flight Covid-19”
Invest in Nature
Is it possible to restore nature, not as a charity, but as a profitable investment? For many years, living in the interior of Panama, watching virgin forests disappear before my eyes, I contemplated this challenging problem. And I believe to have found the solution. Not production forests or vague CO2 schemes, but a real way to restore nature, benefiting the local population as well as your wallet.
The secret lies in making nature a product that can be bought with the same ease as buying a can of soda, for roughly the same price. This might sound horrible to idealistic minded people, but think about it for a minute: if people can buy a piece of rain-forest by phone, from the comforts of their own home, for just a few dollars, how many people would be willing to do so?
How about we take it a step further, and make it resalable too? It would make nature a real and tangible commodity, and give it value. For what is nature right now? Just an abstraction. Valuable in our collective conscience but not in the real world. Mankind has a terrible track record protecting it. Mowgli will change that.
Contact me to find out how you can benefit or leave a comment below.
Architecture and development of Malta
A few weeks ago I left Malta to try my luck somewhere else. I would have loved to organize the event I intended to hold, a conference regarding Maltese contemporary architecture (or rather lack thereof), however circumstances do not allow me to pursue such an interesting but unprofitable venture. I would like to thank the people who offered their help with organizing it: Norbert Attard, Narcy Calamatta and Eduard Duca. Their support gave me really warm feelings towards Malta.
In order to repay the favour I’ll share with you some observations regarding the problems of Maltese developments and offer suggestions for change.
Vansuyle.com 