June 10th, 2014: Selfie at Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro.

[Carruthers]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

I suspect 99% because of their heebie jeebies, and 1% for the skill behind the showmanship.

In the US, OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration), would have sent a swat team to take him out, if he garnish that much attention.

He wouldn't get away with his casual approach today. Quite rightly all manner of safety precautions would have to be in place.

However, even if he had not been well known I suspect that he would have operated in the same way.

A few weeks ago there was a picture of construction in progress on the Post Office (now BT) Tower in central London.

I think it was to commemorate the building's fiftieth anniversary. The lack of safety precautions would make your hair curl. I'll see if I can find it.

[xoxoxoBruce]

However, even if he had not been well known I suspect that he would have operated in the same way.

Agreed, the skill behind his showmanship is the way it was done. They knew if you fell 50 feet or 500, it's the same dead.

[Carruthers]

Originally Posted by Carruthers

A few weeks ago there was a picture of construction in progress on the Post Office (now BT) Tower in central London.

I think it was to commemorate the building's fiftieth anniversary. The lack of safety precautions would make your hair curl. I'll see if I can find it.

Found it:



No hard hat,
No overalls,
No hi-vis clothing,
No gloves,
No safety footwear,
No safety harness,
No fencing around the perimeter.

Horrifying.


Whilst searching for the above image, I stumbled across several more here:

50 years of the BT Tower

Just look at the crane operator in the third picture. At least he had a hard hat!

[xoxoxoBruce]

One of Britain's best-loved buildings turns 50 this week

I love that line, I see it used a lot, everywhere.
Did they take a poll? Do you remember being asked what buildings you love, and which one the most? I don't remember being asked about any of the things the press says I love/want/need.

We look at those pictures or the ones of the steel erecting in NYC, and cringe at the possibilities. But remember most of those guys survived.

[Carruthers]

Back to Christ the Redeemer.

There's comprehensive information about the statue, its construction and maintenance plus a good selection of photos here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/20...141/index.html

[xoxoxoBruce]

But the original pale grey-green stones that make up the mosaic surface have run out - so there is a possibility that the statue will gradually turn a darker shade.

Seems to me they could have synthetic ceramic tiles that mirror the properties of the original stones, and in the exact shade they want. Would that be an social/artistic faux pas?

They say they want to keep the statue in tip top shape for the tourist revenue, but I suspect the reasons from the people of Rio would place that second at best. To me, that Art Deco look is always cool, and it's a great visual for the city, as Rainier is for Seattle, or the Empire State Building for NYC.

I hope if the statue is ever destroyed, it's in a spectacular Cecil B. DeMille fashion. You know Earth quaking, lava spewing, wind howling, a white whale, and 7,000 Macedonians dressed in full battle array, rather than deteriorating neglect. It deserves no less.