The Eye of the Fish

Maximus
January 14, 2013

Bus stop

Before we really get into the swing of things this year – one delightful piece of urban frippery – community design at its best – Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, the Ohiro Road bus-stop.

Just delightful.

I was surprised and a little disappointed that WCC had advised that it was to be removed forthwith – and then I think that was quietly rescinded – hopefully it is still there. I’m cautiously optimistic that the good people of Brooklyn / Happy Valley will savour the goodness that is community action, and not spoil it for others. We even got sent a short film, before Christmas, which I have only just found in our emails – and if I can, I’ll insert a link to the clip: here. <-- Please click on this link and watch - its a lovely wee film.

There is a history of community design, all over the world, from a time when we all did things ourselves, rather than wait for the Council to come and do it for us. I look forward to more examples of this turning up amongst our vibrant arty community!

Turning bus stops into libraries has a fine heritage, as these examples show:

and this one, in Israel:

and here in Brazil

or even this little rustic beauty in Finland.

Our number in Ohiro Rd looks the most comfy though!

andy foster
14 - 01 - 13

Hi Maximus and Happy New Year to you and all the other contributors. I hope that there is plenty to get our collective teeth into in 2013 !

Also just to say I was disappointed to see the Council comment that the Owhiro Bay bus shelter furnishing would have to go. I confess I haven’t checked over the holiday season to see whether that has happened, but I think we should be celebrating the quirky and the fun and being a bit less regimented and orderly – especially when nobody (at least nobody reasonable) is harmed. Sure remove it if it all gets sodden in the wonderful summery weather we are having but … meantime a big ‘well done’ to the creative people who brought this bus shelter to life and no doubt put some smiles on the faces of passers by and bus patrons.

Maximus
14 - 01 - 13

Thanks Councilor Foster – and welcome back to you too.
I checked tonight on the way home – its all still there. In fact, looking closely at it, there is not just a sofa, a lounge chair, a bookshelf and some books, but there is also now a clock on the wall, a framed picture, a DVD player (but, I suspect, no power to play it and no screen), and when I saw it, there was a pair of reading glasses, and a hot water bottle. It’s got more creature comforts than my home! Well done team Ohiro!

Yvonne
15 - 01 - 13

Hi Maximus
You need to have a photo of the Lyall Bay Bus Stop on Queens Drive. Its got a book shelf in it. Its been there for over a year and even made it into the Weekender of the Dominion Post. It got ripped out by vandals in the middle of last year and was promptly replaced by a new one a couple of weeks later. I must admit to finding some really nice books to read from this book shelf. Its also an excellent way of recycling your books and magazines.

Waiting
15 - 01 - 13

[...] via Eye of the Fish [...]

m-d
16 - 01 - 13

This appears to be it – although it is a while since I have bussed to the bay…

http://campl.us/ca4O

Megapope
6 - 02 - 13

Down the hill from my house, so glad that it’s lasted this long.