A tribute to Jørn Utzon, and the construction of the Sydney Opera House.
Sydney May-June 2014 (9 images)
This is part 4 of my VIVID 2014 series. We return to the main stage from Darling Harbour in my previous post.
During this year’s VIVID Festival of Sydney, one of the nice features of the Lighting the Sails display on the Sydney Opera House, was a visual tribute to Jørn Utzon, and the construction of the building.
In 1957, Utzon won a worldwide competition to design the Sydney Opera House. His submission was one of 233 designs from 32 countries. One of the judges, Eero Saarinen, described it as “genius” and declared he could not endorse any other choice.
The designs Utzon submitted were little more than preliminary drawings. Concerned that delays would lead to lack of public support, the government of New South Wales nonetheless gave the go-ahead for work to begin in 1958. Utzon said his design was inspired by the simple act of peeling an orange: the 14 shells of the building, if combined, would form a perfect sphere. Sadly, as with such projects, a new government hostile to the arts came to power during the construction. Disagreements ensued and ultimately Utzon resigned from the job, closed his Sydney office and vowed never to return to Australia. The project ran over budget and over schedule.
The Opera House was finally completed, and opened in 1973 by Queen Elizabeth II. Utzon was not invited to the ceremony, nor was his name mentioned during any of the speeches. He was, however, to be recognized later when he was asked to design updates to the interior of the opera house. The Utzon Room, overlooking Sydney Harbor, was officially dedicated in October 2004. In a statement at the time Utzon wrote: “The fact that I’m mentioned in such a marvellous way, it gives me the greatest pleasure and satisfaction. I don’t think you can give me more joy as the architect. It supersedes any medal of any kind that I could get and have got.”
Utzon died in 2008, He had never returned to Australia to see the completed opera house. On 2 December 2008 the Parliament of New South Wales passed a special motion of condolence to honour Utzon’s life and work.
The Vivid show included a recording of the original oratory from the local Premier in 1958:
“While it is true that in a changing world, it is necessary for us to equip ourselves with the means, and proper means, to fulfil our destiny by technological development, we must always be on guard to see that those purely material things do not supersede and usurp the humanity, the cultural things, the things we do for the improvement of our minds. I must say that I am personally, as a citizen, glad we have talked ourselves into this project. I think we’ve been like a family debating as to whether they can afford a new house, a new car, or even a television set. These drawings present the concept of an opera house that is capable of becoming one of the great buildings of the world…”
A recording of the voice of Utzon is also heard during the show. The signing of his signature by light beam on the plans and the opera house was a nice touch.
Construction of the supports commences over the design drawing.
Internals appear.
The outer shells are assembled.
Completed.
I hope you’re enjoying this series of posts. The next couple will really dive into the world of colour.
…
My previous VIVID Festival of Sydney photography:
VIVID 2014: Random VIVIDness 2014 (3)
VIVID 2014: Random VIVIDness 2014 (2)
VIVID 2014: Random VIVIDness 2014 (1)
VIVID 2013: Lights. Camera. Action!
VIVID 2013: Random Scenes of VIVIDness
VIVID 2012: Light the Night
Thanks for your introduction to the beauty of the Opera House.
You’re welcome.
Very Interesting. Especially along with the visuals, looked like a mini documentary. 🙂
Thanks, I guess it does. 🙂 But it was a nice change from just a colourful light show.
Great shots (of course) but thanks for the story behind the Opera house – it is difficult to believe that such an icon of Sydney would have ever had so much difficulty in gaining the necessary traction in order to be built. And what a shame for the person who’s design idea this was to never see it in person – recognition after the fact is something, but it is never enough to undo the initial insult – although Utzon seems to have been pleased with the honor.
Thank you. Back in the 50s/60s this was a big investment in the future, which is something governments can be loathe to do. The background story about Utzon and his relationship with Sydney is unfortunate but I’m glad he was recognised and acknowledged finally. As is often the case for great artists, the full recognition of their brilliance doesn’t come until much later, even after death.
Yes, and right now, that’s all I have to hold on to 🙂
At least you have a book to your name. I don’t. 🙂
Yet…
Thanks for the history of this magnificent building.
You’re welcome. Thank you.
Your shots are getting better and better. I like the blue print drawings. It’s amazing how they can project the lasers with a such precision. Your nights and the footpath must be empty now, not anymore occupied by tripods and clicking cameras. I have to forward your link to my Leica fan Swiss friend. He will love this pictures.
Thank you very much Erwin. I believe the company responsible creates models to assist in planning this – it does require pinpoint accuracy. Yes, it does seem quieter now, but it’s good to catch up on the sleep again. 🙂
🙂 Do you know where the projectors are located. They must be quite far on the other side of the bay I think. It’s huge. You must see it to believe it.
This year they were above the overseas passenger terminal. Last year there was a standalone projector near the base of the harbour bridge. They must protect them during the day I guess. Any bump to the projectors could potentially ruin the show.
Thank you Draco. I guess so too, Over this distance the smallest movement would ruin it except if they have a self calibrating mechanism or software in it.
Oh!!! I did not know that!! What a sad story,….At least he was recognized after…
I admire artists..>How can they find something so beautiful after the act of something so common as peeling an orange!!
Thanks for making so wonderful photographies, and for writing his story!!!
Yes, often artists aren’t recognised until too late. The background story is sad.
I think I might go buy some oranges and peel them now. Even in a million years, I could never have thought of that idea. Thank you. 🙂
I was thinking about doing the same!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Have a good weekend!
Thank you. Have great weekend too. 🙂
What an artistically creative mind Utzon had – peeling an orange is inspiring. The Opera House is nothing short of remarkable, even though some are saying that it looks tired. Love the shots as usual. I’m sure you get inspired by the littlest things around you too, for photography.
Often it’s the simple things that lead to great ideas. I merely photograph them. 🙂 Thank you kindly.
Wow…these are stunning and I’m loving this series.
Thank you very much. 🙂
This is a neat series of images, and I like the idea of the tribute. My favorite photos are those of the drawings, I suspect partially just because of the vivid blue color they chose. I toured this building several years ago and found it to be inspiring.
Thanks. Yes, I liked the showing of the various plans projected onto the sails too. It was an interesting display. And the background audio really added to the atmosphere. I loved it.
Awesome images, LD! Very interesting accompanying history, too. Would love to see Vivid someday.
Thank you. Seeing the old opera house in a new light does really make you appreciate it more. It really is a festival atmosphere for the Vivid event and it’s getting bigger. Book ahead though – they estimate over 270,000 visitors came on the opening weekend alone, a 170 per cent increase on last year’s opening.
That’s incredible. Sydney knows how to celebrate and deal with huge crowds. New Year’s was impressive.
Glad you got a good vantage point to savour NYE. Some of the shots I saw from you were from a hotel room up high – I think I can guess the one . It certainly is an experience.
I admired, beautiful and very artistic texture. Thanks @Draco!
Thank you very much. It was a wonderful show to see.
Thank you for walking us through the long journey of this grand opera house! I’m in awe of these photos. How sad that Utzon was not invited to the ceremony…
Great post, Dragon!
Thank you very much Amy. I’m glad you came along for the journey. 🙂
I sure hope to see this one day.
These images are gorgeous!
Thank you very much Lisa. The event is getting bigger each year. I do hope you are able to see it for yourself one day.
Once again, a stunning series of images. Quite a story behind this magnificent building. Would love to see it one day…. Bravissimo work!
Thanks very much. The story adds to the interest of the building. I guess major projects like this hardly ever run smoothly. I certainly hope you do get to see the Opera House one day.
LD !!! – thank you a thousand times !!! I’ve been wondering and wondering what some of those projected images were. I never saw the range as you’ve provided it, and it all makes perfectly good sense – apart from being wonderful. As are your photos.
I think it’s part of our problems of division of ideology that governments can behave like that. It’s exactly what TROWC are doing now, of course – disassembling and destroying everything they can that was set up by the previous lot. Bitchily, too – like children. Which is why I call ’em ‘TROWC’ (see my sticky post).
Sensational work, m’boy !!!!
Glad to be of assistance. Whilst the photos can speak for themselves, a bit of background glues the story together. It was a history of the building of the opera house in 4 minutes. Hearing portions of the original speeches by Premier Cahill and Utzon was a wonderful touch. Thank you kindly.
Like how others have already commented, I really loved these series, and learning more about the history behind this very famous building 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
Thank you very much for joining me on this series. I appreciate it. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend ahead.
Thank you for your kind reply! It’s always a pleasure (and learning experience) to visit your site and view your photos & stories behind them. Have a great weekend too 😀
Thank you. 🙂
If I were a judge I would have described it as “genius”, too and not endorsed any other choice. The story behind the Opera house is so intriguing. I got carried away and really enjoyed reading it. What a bureaucratic govt…1958 to 1973 good Lord!
I must start thinking outside the box, if the peeling of an orange, would result in such a spectacular building, then some of us look too far, and miss things right under our noses. Your photos are amazing Lignum. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you very much Liz. Yes, sometimes simple objects provide the best inspiration for artists. I’ll have to ponder the egg shell when I start cooking breakfast in a few minutes. 🙂
And governments the world over can be ridiculous.
geat photos LIGNUM DRACO..
Thank you very much Leyla. 🙂
Amazing shots, Lignum!
Thank you very much. 🙂
Spectacular!
Thanks. 🙂
Enjoying this series very much!
Thank you Liz. Have a wonderful weekend ahead. 🙂
What an extraordinary story…I am so glad that you included that background with your photos. And…Holy Mother of Pearl!…what beautiful photos they are.
Thank you very much. Things never run smoothly when governments are involved. 🙂
Incredible building! It’s really cool what they have done with the lights. I find it genius as well! Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos of it 🙂
Thank you very much. The history is a bit chequered but it is a beacon for the city. The lights are a wonderful way to highlight the building.
What really caught my eye in these photos was the relative scarcity of people around the Opera Bar — and then I downloaded a couple and checked the ‘created’ time in the file info. 11.27pm! You are dedicated, indeed. I couldn’t face the crowds so never got close enough to know there even was a commentary, so thanks for sharing it here.
I’m intrigued to know where you photographed the opera house from if you avoided the crowds and couldn’t hear the commentary. The entire show was choreographed to music and loudspeakers were set up at multiple locations from the opera house to the base of the bridge.
I guess event photography is like landscape photography. A little bit of planning is required, to get free parking and to get the best spots. And it also helps to have the next day off. 🙂
I laughed at your final line! Yes, that would help.
I couldn’t avoid the crowds (unless I had taken a corner room at the Shangri La and insisted on clean windows), but I lingered on the fringes. The closest I got was the roundabout at the bottom (top?) of Macquarie St, but I heard no commentary. Snatches of music, but not words.
Incredible shot and story. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Such brilliant photos and an amazing story behind! I’m glad I’m back to WordPress 🙂
Thank you. And even better to hear you’re back. 🙂
🙂
Wonderful photos Draco and very interesting to read the story behind Sydney Opera House! Have you been inside?
Yes, several times. There are several areas within it for operas, theatre, symphonies and plays.
Thank you Elina.
Cool! Must be a great experience to go to a performance there.
Yes it is. Quite impressive at night too with the views.
This series has been magnificent!!
Thank you.
long story, short and direct: this is a masterpiece post, Sir! my true admiraiton and deep respect… cheers, Mélanie
Thank you so very much Mélanie for your very kind sentiment.
Wonderful photo and great story of this great architect. Money and power are problem with art, they change and didn’t give the time to end or begin wonderful think.
I really like this set, wonderful Draco 🙂
Have a nice sunday
Thank you Sophie. Very true. New governments have a policy of changing decisions of previous ones, which can really upset major projects. Have a great Sunday too. 🙂
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Incredible photos … and yes, I’m loving the series. I do think the story of Utzon is a shame!! So glad he was finally recognized
It is a shame particularly as they changed some of his original designs regarding internal acoustics, and the such. Which is why they had to consult him again for alterations.
This series has shown your talent in a completely different direction. I always claimed to love your black/white work the best but, I can no longer say that. These are simply stunning.
Thank you. I try to be a jack-of-all-trades. 🙂
You are not disappointing!
Thank you.
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These are magazine cover photos! Blew me away…
I thought I clicked the Like and commented on this one, not sure what happened 😕
Thank you. No problem. I have problems with the reader and like button too.
thank you, woody dragon.
i learnt a lot about the sydney opera house from reading this post.
what is most interesting for me is the fact that the building’s main design elements, the shells were inspired by the act of peeling an orange! what an eureka moment for utzon. btw, what is the typical f-stop/exposure time for the photos published?
Thank you kap. Great minds often find inspiration in the simplest objects.
Factors for #3: aperture priority at about f4, 1/8 second. iso 320. -2 stops exposure compensation, adjustments in lightroom. The Leica has too much noise beyond iso 640 so I underexpose to reduce noise and movement blur (the lights change quickly) and restore in lightroom.
i think so too, newton discovered gravity watching an apple fall 🙂 . thanks for the technical details, i wish you a good weekend.
Have a good weekend too kap.
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You must have taken hundreds of shots! Why wouldn’t you?
We just need a big screen projector and we’ll all come right over 🙂
The Opera House shells are as big a screen as you can get. You’ll have to visit and see it live.
great shots
Thanks.