For 10 years Chris Bangle has been the car designer everyone loves to hate. Here was the man who gave us flame surfacing, who totally reshaped BMW form language and in the process tore up the car design rulebook.
As design director of BMW, more than any other car designer Chris Bangle made the headlines. Not just in the automotive media, but in all forms of media. He eloquently espoused his contentious design direction for what was once the doyen of reserved German sports sedans, while simultaneously deflecting or ignoring more criticism than any other car designer has ever received.
And now, as he embarks upon his final day at the German company (indeed, his last day of working within the car industry) the media is reminding us of his accomplishments: from Fiat Coupe, through flame-surfaced X-Coupe, third-generation 'Bangle-butt' 7 Series and the fabric-surfaced Gina, to a range of cars that's very far removed from the sobriety of early '90s BMW design. We've also been reminded of his peers' criticisms of his designs - not least J Mays' derogatory view of the 1 Series - as well of his charisma and intellect.
But there is an unusual ambiguity about the public farewell Chris Bangle is receiving, just as there often is when the wider media focuses its gaze on car design. As the rest of the media second-guessing his status as villain or hero of car design, Car Design News wanted to hold up to the community a few unarguable truths that Bangle's time at BMW should perhaps be best remembered for.
In the early 1990s the BMW range comprised what were generally regarded as near faultless designs in harmonious coexistence. When Bangle became design director in 1992, he was bound by BMW management to continue this conservative ‘cookie cutter' approach. But with the BMW sedan aesthetic so mature, and with the 7 Series looking like a large 5 Series, which appeared in turn resembled an enlarged 3 Series, Bangle succeeded in persuading management that it was time to innovate and also change its design strategy, regardless of the reaction this might cause among customers, BMW executives and other car designers.
This new approach, to make step-change design innovation and to move away from a monolithic design strategy, is unarguably the cornerstone of Chris Bangle's achievements at BMW. It underpins the brand's position today, generating the most progressive design identities of any car range on the market and a disparate, but connected, line-up of vehicles that appeals to a far wider customer base than ever before. And yet all of this innovation and diversification has been achieved while consistently maintaining distinctive BMW design cues, from the trademark kidney grille, quad circular headlamps, Hofmeister kink, front-engined rear-wheel-drive proportions, to an overall ‘premium sports' identity.
But this design innovation, if not the new design strategy, has been extensively criticized. Off-record, about half the design directors we know are critical of the approach Chris Bangle took at BMW, and these criticisms are often expressed strongly. At the heart of this is a view that many of ‘his' BMW designs are ugly, or have unnecessarily ugly aspects to them - the 1 Series, X3 and previous-generation E65 7 Series being the most frequently cited examples.
Dig a little deeper and the disquiet so many of Bangle's peers have with his work stems from the way they think he changed what wasn't broken, in the process side-stepping the unspoken assumption that car design is all about chasing beauty. They might also have been a little piqued at the world's interest in his work. Google 'Chris Bangle' and, at the time of writing, there are over two million results - more than for any other car designer by a significant margin.
Speak with younger car designers and a different picture emerges. They don't focus on the form of individual designs but instead on the bigger picture of BMW and of the wider discipline of car design. For most of those we spoke with, BMW now stands as a brand that is innovative, modern, diverse, rich, and very much of-its-time. They find individual BMW designs generally fresh, engaging and attractive. When pushed, many agree that there are some aspects of the designs they're not totally convinced by, but most see this as a necessary part of pushing forwards; avant-garde design cannot please all the people all of the time.
It must be tough to have so much personal and professional criticism leveled at you, to have a 'Stop Chris Bangle' petition created and face threats of violence because of your work. There would have undoubtedly been considerable internal pressure on the American designer as a result of this, yet his decisions are arguably vindicated by the sales performance of the company and, even more demonstrably, by the large influence BMW design continues to exert on other brand's designs.
Perhaps the jury will forever remain out on the more expressive and contentious designs that have emerged from BMW during the last 10 years of Bangle rule. But there can be little doubt of his contribution to the progression of car design, or of his skills as a leader. Only with the respect and hard work of his colleagues has he been able to effect such radical change in the face of adversity and criticism.
Bangle has also championed the value of design inside and outside the company, as a result moving design further up the automotive industry's agenda to the benefit of all car designers. And if he is not a hero of car design for all these reasons, then perhaps he is for a more prosaic reason: If the common man has one singular, oft heard, criticism of car design it is that ‘they all look the same nowadays'. By listening to the needs and wants of the wider automotive design audience instead of those in the industry, he's played a huge part in addressing this complaint.
NEW YORK - Clay Aiken appears on the cover of the latest People magazine holding his infant son, Parker Foster Aiken, with the headline: “Yes, I’m Gay.”
The 29-year-old former “American Idol” runner-up, multiplatinum recording artist and Broadway star credits his son, conceived by in-vitro fertilization with friend and producer Jaymes Foster, with making him realize that he could no longer hide his homosexuality from the world.
“It was the first decision I made as a father,” Aiken told the magazine, which arrives on newsstands Friday. “I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things. I wasn’t raised that way, and I’m not going to raise a child to do that.”
Aiken, who rose to fame on “Idol” in 2003, has long been the subject of rumors and tabloid fodder that he was gay, but usually refused to acknowledge them. In an interview with The Associated Press two years ago, he said of the talk: “I don’t really feel like I have anybody to answer to but myself and God and the people I love.”
Aiken said he only told his family that he was gay four years ago. He recalled a tearful discussion with his mother in a car after dropping off his brother, who was being sent to Iraq, at a military base.
“It was dark. I was sitting there, thinking to myself. I don’t know why I started thinking about it ... I just started bawling. She made me pull over the car and it just came out,” he said. “She started crying. She was obviously somewhat stunned. But she was very supportive and very comforting.”
Aiken said his mother “still struggles with things quite a bit, but she’s come a long way.”
The magazine cover features Aiken holding his son, who was born in August. The baby’s mother is Aiken’s record producer, whom he met while performing on “Idol.”
Aiken, who considers himself a born-again Christian, said he knows he may turn off some fans — known as Claymates — with his admission and his decision to have a child outside traditional marriage.
“I’ve never intended to lie to anybody at all,” he said. “But if they leave, I don’t want them to leave hating me.”
Gay groups applauded Aiken’s public admission.
“We congratulate Clay for making this decision and for setting an example for others and his family,” said Neil Giuliano, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. As we’re seeing, more and more gay people, including celebrities, are living openly and honestly, and this has tremendous impact in terms of creating awareness, understanding and acceptance.”
Aiken’s hardcore fans — known as Claymates — are taking the news very seriously. As of Wednesday afternoon, there were reportedly more than 2,000 entries on the message board for Aiken’s official Web site.
“We’ll ‘talk’ more later, but, suffice it to say, for the first time in recent memory, I am speechless,” Aiken writes on his Web site’s fan page ClayOnline, according to People. “I’m so proud to know and love all of you.”
To read Aiken’s newest blog and post a message, the site requires you to join his fan club. Membership fees range from $14.99 plus tax to $29.99, plus shipping and handling for a Clay Aiken tote bag, lip balm and set of Clay Aiken buttons.
Meanwhile, the Aiken fan site ClayManiacs was open for viewing. Response in a thread on the site’s “ShoutBox” was generally supportive, though at least one fan was shaken by Aiken’s public confession.
Shimao Olive Garden is situated to the north of the Olympic Forest Park, the north end of Beijing axle line. There are infinite mountain ranges to the north, while the south provides the view of the national Olympic Forest Park. Residents will be able to enjoy a bird-eye view of Olympic stadiums and Olympic torch.
Shimao Olive Garden is an international luxury residential community. Shimao Olive Garden is formed by 6 luxury houses, which are 40-90 meters high and plate-style construction. Internal Gardening is designed by British designer Atkins. There are 6 themed gardens. The inspiration comes from the Aegean Sea, sport passions from Athens, and the Chinese Royal Graden. The 324,000 square feet garden surrounds the 108,000 square feet lake.
Shimao Olive Garden adopts slab-type building based on a 26 stories in design. The apartments have an open hall, spacious bedrooms, open kitchen, open bathroom and several balconies. The apartment is also furnished with a large glass window facing the Forest Park and one-step balcony, expanding your vision to the maximum extent and combining the internal space with external field of vision. It adopts luxury-based design with three elevators for two households. A special elevator is accessible to nurses, who directly enter the operating room. With an IC card, the owners directly reach the special elevator hall for owners in the story where the owners live. It guarantees privacy and safety for the owners.
Luxurious world-class amenities include:
-ALNO cupboard from Germany
-Valenti electric appliances from Italy
-Kohler cleaning devices from USA
-Roca cleaning devices from Spain
-Hans Grohe sprayer from Germany
-Lennox air-conditioner from USA
-Otis elevator
-24 Hour Security System
-British Style Housekeeper
-Tropical Landscape Club
In order to hold the 2008 Olympic Games, about RMB 280 billion yuan has been invested into the Beijing real estate. According to the statistics of business departments, some of the world's top 500 enterprises are looking have relocated their office closer to the Olympic Garden area. These companies include Samsung, Siemens, Philips and Morgan Stanley.
The Olympic Park, 867 hectares 2.5 times bigger than the one in New York Central Park Olympic Forest Park, will be the No 1 eco-garden in Asia.
Past Olympic Games Facts and Figures
Beijing Olympic Game Facts and Figures
Sales for these home have already begun! Please call 626-964-8302 to reserve a unit today!
ShiMao Convention Schedule:
September 9-11 (Friday- Sunday) 10AM-5PM
Location: Wilshire Grand Hotel (Downtown LA)
930 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90017
The new James Bond movie Quantum of Solace release draws closer. Omega now announced a limited edition Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean carrying the Quantum of Solace James Bond signature on the dial.
The dial of the new James Bond watch features a Walther PPK grip structure pattern.
Only 5,007 James Bond Quantum of Solace Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean watches will be made. The features of the James Bond Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean are the same as the standard 45mm Planet Ocean.
Via TimeZone.
I can't blame USC's Dwayne Jarrett getting tired of the questions: "So, how does it feel to be really slow? And how much money do you think it will cost you on Draft Day." Alright, no one has asked him these specific questions, but he's heard every variation thereof.
Dwayne Jarrett doesn't understand it. He found the end zone 41 times during his three years at Southern California - the fourth-most for a receiver in NCAA history. But as the NFL draft approaches, all he has heard this spring are questions about his speed, or the perceived lack thereof.
Yeah, it's hard to dismiss 41 touchdowns, and I don't have a problem with Jarrett being slow (he ran a 4.62 and 4.67 in the forty at his Pro Day). Like he points out, Jerry Rice ran a 4.5-forty back in the day, and his NFL career turned out okay.
But it will be the question about Jarrett's speed -- specifically, his ability to get off the line of scrimmage -- that could haunt him on Draft Day. And then there are the endless -- and mindless -- comparisons to former USC Trojan, Mike Williams.
Williams was the 10th-overall pick of the Lions in 2005, but he has, to put it kindly, struggled in the NFL because he's slow-footed (though, I suspect, a lot of that has to do with being one of the league's fattest wideouts ... apparently, by design). I don't think Jarrett will "pull a Williams in the NFL," but I think he might have a tough time adjusting to the pro game. Not because he's slow, but because NFL teams often overvalue height and put too much emphasis on speed. I guess we'll see in three weeks.
Like it or not California, it's about time you folks ponied up for a serious rail system. With the recent passage of Proposition 1A, the wheels have started to churn on a sophisticated bullet train system that will eventually link San Diego in the south with Sacramento in the north, with stops at most every major city in between (LA and San Francisco included). The 800-mile network of trains would operate at upwards of 220mph and cost around $45 billion to construct, but it'll create 320,000 permanent jobs by 2030 and reduce the state's reliance on fossil fuel by 12.7 million barrels of oil per year. Unfortunately, there's no set time frame for completion just yet, but we wouldn't be surprised to see this one finished before that Anaheim - Las Vegas maglev project even gets off the ground.
www.engadget.com
A Kentucky college campus was on lockdown for several hours Wednesday after false reports of armed men at the school.
Kentucky State Police told FOXNews.com that police were not able to corroborate earlier claims of shots being fired or gunmen on the loose at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green — after initial reports of an incident near Pearce Ford Tower on the school's main campus.
"What we think happened was a group of individuals got in a fight, somebody called guns, we ran, no guns, no indication of guns," Lt. Phil Crumpton of the Kentucky State Police told FOXNews.com. "Meanwhile this group moves to another location for a fight, someone calls guns again. We all go running over there, hold the first location, nothing."
A third call off campus also yielded no evidence of weapons or shots fired, he said.
Earlier, police and school officials received reports of armed men spotted in a building on the school's South Campus and of gunshots near the tower.
"No one was shot," university spokesman Bob Skipper told FOX News.
Crumpton told FOXNews.com that police believe someone may have brandished a gun during the altercation, but weren't immediately able to confirm that either.
The incident prompted an advisory for students to remain indoors in secure areas until an "all clear" could be issued, according to the school's Web site. An earlier text message also falsely said that shots were fired near the Tower.
"Police have confirmed that there was a physical altercation not involving weapons between individuals that occurred in or near PFT, but the police are interviewing witnesses on the scene to determine if weapons were or are present, or if shots were fired," a message on the school's Web site said.
Students who called a local newsroom said there were two announcements over the university's P.A. system warning them that they were in immediate danger and should take shelter.
Classes were canceled for the day as police investigated.
www.foxnews.com
