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Last update - 21:06 19/05/2008 Bridge over troubled city / Jerusalem braces for unveiling of oft-maligned monument By Tamar Rotem, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Israel, Jerusalem  "We the writers, artists, and architects who love are city have come to protest with all of our power this monstrous, tasteless eye-sore in the heart of our capital." Although this quote may bring to mind the rampant opposition that has met the construction of Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava's suspension bridge in Jerusalem, it appeared in a manifest published in the French newspaper "Le Temps" in 1887, bemoaning the unveiling of the Eiffel Tower in the heart of Paris. The planners of the Calatrava bridge, nicknamed "The Bridge of Strings," can only hope that in time the bridge will be seen with kinder eyes and become a symbol of the capital much like the Eiffel Tower is for Paris. Love it or hate it, "The Bridge of Strings" set to be unveiled at the entrance to Jerusalem on June 26th is sure to be a hot topic in the capitol for years to come. Advertisement The structure is said to resemble a harp, and is held in the air for all of its 360 meters by dozens of iron strings. A soaring flagpole reaching out to the heavens will anchor the bridge and provide a landmark and symbol for a city that has never had a shortage of either. Many see the pole as a symbol of power but its main purpose will be to ensure the bridge can be seen from all points in the city. Without the flagpole, the bridge, surrounded on all sides by tall buildings, would be nearly impossible to see unless one was on the verge of approaching it. It could be argued that from most vantage points, the flagpole will appear to be little more than a crane on a construction site, indistinguishable from many of those that dot the expanding city. "You cannot force a symbol" "When people try to force a symbol upon the public, there is a real danger that the monument will become merely a farce," posits Professor Micah Brut, a city planner and lecturer at the Technion Institute in Haifa. "The Calatrava Bridge cannot become a symbol. A symbol comes from a culture. People see a cultural purpose in a monument only after a long period of time. The Statue of Liberty was not considered a symbol at first, though it spoke to a central principle in the ethos of the United States." Brut continued, "building a bridge like this that covers an expanse of only 140 meters at a height of 118 meters is a farce. It reminds me of totalitarian regimes that try to manufacture monuments and force them upon their citizens." Architect Hillel Shocken a Jerusalem resident, has referred to the bridge as fascinating, but with a troublesome location. "Calatrava's works are organic and easy to connect to, but for Jerusalem, the bridge's location is a failure. It's impossible to get a majestic view of the structure. If it was built in an open spot, where it could be seen in its entirety, it would be possible to be impressed by it," Shocken stated. Shocken also echoed the sentiment that Jerusalem is in no need of additional symbols. "Frank Gehry's building in Bilbao, Spain put the city on the map, because before it was a city that didn't really have any significance to most people. The Opera House put Sydney on the map. Jerusalem is on the map, it doesn?t need a symbol to put it there." The reviews haven't been all bad however, as Jerusalem historian and architect David Kroyanker for one has said "I love it. Jerusalem doesn't need the bridge in order to brand the city, she's a historic city due to its walls, the Dome of the Rock, and its churches," Kroyanker said, adding that the city could use a secular symbol however. Kroyanker also expressed his belief that the project could have been much worse, saying "at least we built something in good taste." The question remains though, is the building attractive or ugly? Professor Brut said that in the end, people will come to love the bridge. "With architecture, you never know. We have something aggressive in our culture. Someday it could be seen like the Arc de Triomphe. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Fear of extinction The state of over 20 species of birds in Israel has worsened considerably. Taking advantage Jerusalem police probe possible gang rape of disabled woman.   1.   Its Hideous 20:02  |  Leor 19/05/08   2.   It`s beautiful 20:56  |  Jerry 19/05/08   3.   Its AWESOME 21:07  |  Nephtaly 19/05/08   4.   The Bridge that Creates Divisions 21:08  |  David 19/05/08   5.   Good and bad 21:48  |  Michael 19/05/08   6.   VIAGRA TOWER 21:55  |  Alan Lurie 19/05/08   7.   the finger 22:16  |  Zeev 19/05/08   8.   Resembles a Harp????? 22:17  |  B`Galil 19/05/08   9.   The bridge is ugly 22:36  |  Carsten 19/05/08   10.   It`s got grace and beauty... 23:01  |  Esther 19/05/08   11.   A WASTE OF PUBLIC MONEY THAT COULD GO TO THE POOR 23:19  |  Sid Emess 19/05/08   12.   Monstrosity 23:29  |  Stacy 19/05/08   13.   It is growing on me! But...will it help traffic?? 23:40  |  Jewish State 19/05/08

Read & React Arens: Truce with terrorists - ludicrous, self-destructive Responses: 3 Amos Harel: Iran's fingerprints all over Gaza strife Responses: 17 McCain blasts Obama for Iran threat comments Responses: 14 Jerusalem, Petach Tikva ban 'Sex in the City' film adverts Responses: 21 Rosner's Domain Harel & Issacharoff: Can Israel deter Hezbollah and Hamas? What makes Nancy Pelosi pro-Israeli? The hysteria over talking to Hamas (WTR) Poll: Was Bush attacking Obama? Israel, the largest Jewish ghetto? (WTR) More Headlines 10:45 Gaza boy, 13, said killed in IAF strike; IDF: Aircraft fired at militants 06:51 Gaza cease-fire could take effect later this week 07:58 McCain blasts Obama for saying Iran poses lesser threat than Soviets 10:50 Al gore, in Israel: We face a planetary emergency 09:11 Handcuffed burglar killed after abducting Ashdod policewoman 02:24 PA sources: Status of kidnapped soldiers delaying prisoner swap 10:08 Police to question Olmert Fri. for second time in Talansky probe 10:49 German Muslim sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for stabbing Rabbi 09:49 Jerusalem, Petach Tikva ban 'Sex in the City' film adverts 07:14 ANALYSIS: In Gaza conflict, Iran's fingerprints are everywhere 07:30 New bill would sentence migrants and refugees to five years in jail 07:32 FM Livni to Pelosi: No peace agreement with PA likely in 2008 07:23 Female corporal prevents suicide attack at checkpoint Previous Editions Select Day 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may

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