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The New England Conservatory's vulgar sign
By adamg on Tue, 12/18/2007 - 8:49pm
Thomas Garvey vows the Conservatory won't get a dime from him until it takes down the giant "New England Conservatory" sign that now forms a prominent part of the stage at Jordan Hall:
... Vulgar in conception, the sign is likewise crass in execution: big block letters reading "NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY" loom behind the artists at every concert, just in case we happen to forget, as we're transported by the music, just where we are and who we should be donating our dollars to. ...
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Comments
Talk about The Princess and
Talk about The Princess and the Pea.... I was expecting a neon sign.
It is absolutely vulgar, and
It is absolutely vulgar, and totally ruins the ambiance of Jordan Hall, and the enjoyment of a concert. When you're trying to concentrate on the music, it's extremely distracting to read the "NEC" sign. It is much more jarring from a frontal view - totally antithetical to what the Jordan Hall concert experience should be. But don't trust me or this guy - check it out for yourselves. For the most part, Jordan Hall concerts are free.
Thank you, Chris . . .
. . . for backing up what most folks at Jordan Hall concerts have been saying for weeks. (It's rather telling that none of the people defending this sign have actually seen it, isn't it?) The precedent the sign sets is even more irritating - the idea that a masterpiece like Jordan Hall should be marred purely for the sake of self-advertisement is very troubling, and as for the implied sense that somehow Jordan Hall "belongs" to the NEC - please; Jordan Hall belongs to the city now, and any enlightened or cultured administration would be able to see that. Even considered as advertisement, the piece is breathtakingly stupid - anyone who goes to Jordan Hall is already well aware of the NEC, and advertisements for the school, or requests for donations, are everywhere outside and around the hall (and appropriately so!).
Not sure people are that aware of NEC
Folks in the know, obviously, will be well aware that Jordan Hall is essentially an academic space serving a wonderful music school. As will anyone arriving early enough for a show who sees the students still buzzing around with instruments in tow. However, I'm actually not convinced most concert-goers really put much thought into it. A lot of people come to Jordan because Celebrity Series, BSO Chamber Players, Handel and Haydn, etc. are performing there. (Disclosure: I work for an ensemble that performs at Jordan) They just think of it as where that group puts on a concert. Its not so much ignorance as a lack of awareness. Where knowing people see a conservatory, others just see a performing hall.
That said, I'm not saying I'd have done it nor will I argue if NEC decided to pull it down. I again reiterate that the photo doesn't do the sign justice. When you are there for a concert, it is VERY obvious and not at all subtle. I'd suggest you go there tonight for a show to see for yourself, but I gather the concert is sold out.
Trust me, people who go to Celebrity Series know the NEC . . .
. . . and if they don't, the way to reach them is to insist that Celebrity Series or H&H educate them by adding the information to their publicity. And I have to disagree that Jordan Hall is "essentially an academic space serving a wonderful music school." It's more than that. NEC is always happy to ride along on the profile of its unique performing space - and so it should respect said space as the treasure it is.
Some folks don't pick up much on CS or HHS, though
Believe me, at their shows at Symphony Hall, both will run into plenty of ticket holders who assume they are the BSO or at least some extension of the BSO. I don't mean this judgementally. I think its great that people who aren't as knowledgable about the Boston music scene are still coming out to concerts. It speaks to the strength of our performing community that it reaches past the experts. Unfortunetly, it also means people think CS is "Boston Symphony and Friends" and Handel and Haydn is "BSO with funny looking woodwinds and brass".
I also would stress that I didn't mean "essentially an academic space" as a slight. I think education is tremendously important and having a space like Jordan Hall is an amazing tool for the students of NEC. Yes, its more than that, but I do think its a great thing that such an extraordinary performing space was built to serve the need of students.
What?
Honestly, I went to the site to see the "vulgar" sign and couldn't figure out what he was talking about. The writer may be emotionally attached to the interior of Jordan Hall and upset with the change, however, a simple typographical treatment of the venue name is hardly "vulgar".
Try going to a concert at
Try going to a concert at Jordan Hall - there really is no avoiding looking at the sign during a performance. It's highly distracting, and makes a concert much less enjoyable. I don't think you can judge it just by looking at the picture on the website, you have to experience it. If the BSO decided to place a "Boston Symphony Orchestra" sign at the back wall at Symphony Hall, it would be much the same thing.
NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY
I was taken aback when I peered into Jordan and saw the sign. Thomas is right that its MUCH more blatant when viewed head on. But ultimately, I didn't find it that obnoxious. I'd have rather there been something more sedate or retro, but it was more or less consistent with the look of the hall. I wouldn't object if they decide to remove it, but I'm not that upset that its there, either.
I disagree on the
I disagree on the consistency with the hall - the NEC font isn't very elegant, and doesn't fit in with the elegance of Jordan Hall. The hard-edged rectangularity of the sign doesn't fit in with the hall's design. Also, the brown shade of stain on the sign sign does not quite match the stain on the surrounding wood. Nitpicky, sure, but this is what happens when you're at a concert and can't help but look at a glaring advertisement at the back of the stage. NEC has gone overboard with their branding campaign.
I agree on that
I wish if they had done this that they chose a presentation which was more timeless rather than a blatant extension of a a branding effort. I like branding. I think its good. But I agree that it wasn't the right choice here. Still, getting past that, the panel was designed to look basically appropriate. A perfect match, no, but we've seen a lot worse. Heck, I still want to see the caramel floor come back to Symphony Hall.