Dali Disappointment

Almost as much as Gaudi impressed me I have to say that Dali disappointed me. Instead of being creative and ground breaking he felt like a child without thoughts or ethics. It felt as he was more a reflection of the time a creator of something new. Especially the way he treated animals made me feel really bad. Of course the phenomena of Dali is still fascinating and many of his paintings thought provoking, but I have carried a feeling that he had an agenda that he wanted to say something.

Gaudi for the 21st Century

Two things happened in Barcelona. I got deeper respect for Gaudi, especially after visiting Casa Batlló. This is an absolute amazing building, finalized 100 years ago (built 1877 and remodelled in the years 1905–1907) it feels more modern than anything today.

The organic shape and reflection on human relation to nature (everything from ventilation to letting in the sun) make me think that this house should be seen as a role model for anyone building a house today. I believe that that the buildings (and especially those we live in) can be turned from the worst threat to the planet to the main driver that can deliver a resource efficient society. The question is where we will find the Gaudi of the 21^st Century and those willing to pay for it?

The picture is from within Casa Batlló and shows a window that let sunshine in.

From word to promise and now time to deliver?

It looks as if an increasing number of companies are now moving from just words to actually promise that they can deliver sustainability... 2008-2009 will be crucial as it will be up to us to ensure that we will not only see green washing and PR, but actual results (in money and nature).

How much money will companies earn and how much CO2 will they reduce? We need to start to see numbers very soon...

Behind the Scenes

One thing that I like about my life is that I get to look behind the Scenes. The fascination with the real and the projection is something that I have started to look into and I hope to get together a project about those who shape our reality (not those visible on TV and in media, but those who actually formulate new ideas and those making things happen).

When looking from the world from behind the scene it usually looks very different, and the wizard of Oz is not so impressive.

On the picture are a few of those that made presentations at technology@work look more professional that those on the stage (including me) would manage on their own.

Rewind

I'm not the best blogger... I have been trying to get some projects off the ground and deliver some results. So here are some reflections and photos since Barcelona (only two weeks ago, but a lot is happening these days).

I'm writing this from the 19th floor at Mandala Bay (where the Gartner Symposium is). Simon Mingay was bumped off his plane as it was full, but just arrived so we will probably go through our presentation tomorrow, "How 'Green' is your technology or service provider?". Until then I'll post a few reflections and pictures from the last two weeks. Maybe the search for something "real" gets more important in a place like Las Vegas.

Even if everything is big here, and the Aquarium in the basement of this hotel is the biggest I've ever seen (I almost did not feel sick for all the animals captured), it feels as if it is hard to breath. Maybe it is a lack of oxygen?