Sun shines out of its

Posted on January 20, 2012 by AHC McDonald

Even in 1971, surely this creation couldn’t have been the largest sundial in the world? Created by Elwyn Hawthorn and Dr. Guy Hamilton, it was the showpiece for the opening of the Dianella Plaza shopping centre. It’s still there, although now sadly relegated to behind the Supa (N) IGA. I  have a personal connection with this event. Mum and dad both had sculpture pieces in the centre for the Plaza opening in August 1971 as part of a competition. Dad’s won, and was kept on display. A few years later it was apparently dumped in the pond out the front. A correspondent who didn’t seem to give a name, pointed me to  these wonderful shots on State Library archive. Some awesome shots, well worth a search and scroll for fashion, architecture and style. The shorts! The socks! The carrots for 5c!

Searching for Messrs Hawthorn and Hamilton, I also came across this marvellous piece from the Sydney Morning Herald which covers it for some reason. Has many wonderful worsts on the page, including Penfolds Sweet Sherry for 95c, a two stone cat and the fight for late night trading in Melbourne 1971. All in all, the sundial is actually not bad, even now. Stacks up well against the Smiths’ hideous version down at the waterfront, which may be bigger, but may also be world’s shittiest sundial. Another search for Elwyn Hawthorn is even more intriguing, turning up this from a UK art online site, saying Kalgoorlie 1962. Once again, that’s not bad either. The same Elwyn? Who knows? How many are there? The same one who also wrote Atheism for Survival? Whoa.

Wait, the painter is him. He’s got stuff everywhere. Pretty amazing dude really.

Posted in not worst | Tagged , , , , | 35 Comments

Two Jockeys

Posted on January 19, 2012 by AHC McDonald

Clem P saw Knob Jockey in Basso, and Pete F Saw the rurotard inseminator 09 wagon  at of all places, the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht  Club, which is in Peppermint Grove I think. And also full of knob jockeys.

Posted in worst car, worst graffiti | Tagged , , , , | 34 Comments

Loch Wilson

Posted on January 18, 2012 by AHC McDonald

Maybe this is not worst? Another by Whinging Pom. Wilson.

Posted in not worst, worst house | Tagged , | 33 Comments

Or do I?

Posted on January 17, 2012 by AHC McDonald

Enigmatic piece from The Whinging Pom. Is it meta graffiti, or is it a statement regarding what things he graffs? Easier to get to a palm frond or railing than trying to catch and tag flange.  But someone who graffs is probably not likely to get near “flange one” anyhow, so perhaps that statement is moot. Wait, there’s an apostrophe! That takes it up a notch. At least we can rule out Mike Hussey as culprit. Ferndale.

Posted in worst graffiti | Tagged , | 8 Comments

The Life Journalistic

Posted on January 16, 2012 by AHC McDonald

“Now that I have a sheep, a cow, and a Sigma, everyone bids me, “GOOD DAY SIR!””
Benjamin Franklin 

Will the “new journalism” relegate the Sigma – once as vital a part of a journalist’s armoury as a belt made of twine and twigs – to the scrapheap? Look at this example. The decals and roof rack make me think it might have once been the magnificent wagon-lit of a restaurant critic or editor. (Actually only an editor would rate an orca. Dolphins for lower ranks.) Now even a Community news reporter might aspire to a Honda Jizz or Hyundai Night Crawler. By Dylan H.

Posted in worst car, worst journalist | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments

Outrage Sunday 37 to market

Posted on January 15, 2012 by rottobloggo

A commercial designer associate ranted about Morley’s Coventry Square markets: “heinous” was one of the adjectives. I was sceptical, as the pre-opening buzz was intense. Krazy Kym and I checked them out, and we are pleased to report they are a triumph.

The artists’ impressions were very promising, and the CSM website had all the facts: “Coventry Square Markets are one of Australia’s premier markets. Situated adjacent to Centro Galleria in Morley, the markets will be a veritable mix of restaurants, cafes and specialty shops. It will be a focal point for both local and overseas tourists, a meeting place for families, friends and a cultural experience for all.”

The media know a good story when they see it, and in 2010 confident predictions were being made CSM would generate “more vibrancy”. And it was thus: this report in the paper of record quoted the developer, a successful businessman, saying the project would “actually dwarf” something in Melbourne.

The art engages the eye before you’re inside.

These superb friezes are a feature throughout the markets.

The Friendly Industrial Arching Shed-ist Connecting Outside style is like a European cathedral.

Lots of stuff to buy, including boozies.

And dolphins.

And exotic fruit. Everyone involved is to be commended and our commercial designer associate needs to have a good hard look at herself.

Posted in not worst | Tagged , , | 58 Comments

Weekend Worstoff 184

Posted on January 14, 2012 by AHC McDonald

Orbea saw a happy woman in his community. 

As we have seen, it’s a different world mattress wise on the Eastern seaboard. As seen by Meccano. 

And Rob F saw some organic moisturiser. 

Worst well

 

k

Posted in weekend worstoff, worst advertising, worst newspaper, worst objects | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Willy on Willy

Posted on January 13, 2012 by AHC McDonald

The Churn of worsts.This now vanished hostel on William Street next to the mosque was demolished and is being replaced by a kind of Islamicy looking (apartment?) building. The ghost of the previous hostel graffiti seems to have seeped through to the new building. Old worst shot by me. New by Jane.

Posted in worst graffiti, worst of perth | Tagged , , | 34 Comments

I still can’t Swallow

Posted on January 12, 2012 by AHC McDonald

(Alarmingly) small small bar Swallow, (aka Madcuntz MadKûntz aka Knobgoblins) is still nowhere near completion. The photo makes it look twice the size it actually is. I looked in the other day and there’s not even a bar in there yet. I did like the old timey lettering, but It’s a bit hard to see where the 75 patrons would go if you did install an actual bar in there. The toileting arrangements seem to have been completed, with a sandy patch outside, (There’s a rotary hoe which you use to churn your waste into the soil.) but seems to me that the actual bar is months away. This is disappointing, as it is a venue I would actually be interested to go to. Can’t you pull some strings Alannah? You are seriously missing out on substantial portions of my disposable income! I want tapas and (cheeky) mojitos at a bar I can ride my bike to. Now.

Posted in Uncategorisable Worsts | Tagged , , , | 109 Comments

Back on the Asia Beat

Posted on January 11, 2012 by AHC McDonald

Don’t forget to visit The Asia Beat, The Asian News other Asians don’t dare print. I’m back into Asia baby! Twitter @theasiabeat

Posted in worst of perth | Tagged , , | 4 Comments