Library on Paradise!
Ray Goldenberg
Hi Everyone,
I received this press release from Carnival and thought it might be of
interest. If you have missed any of my new's postings, they may be
found on my web site.
Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
MIAMI (06/05/98) - The era of legendary trans-Atlantic ocean liners
comes alive for cruise vacationers in the Blue Riband Library, a
graceful, museum-like room on Carnival Cruise Lines’ new MS Paradise,
set to debut in November.
Although its elegant interiors are inspired by famous passenger ships
of yesteryear, the 70,000-ton Paradise offers its 2,040 guests the
most modern cruise amenities in an atmospheric on-board setting that
evokes romance and richness.
"The Blue Riband Library is the anchor for the Paradise’s central idea
of classic ocean liners," said Joe Farcus, long-time ship enthusiast
and interior architect of Carnival’s "Fun Ship" fleet. "This room
introduces you to many of the famous liners whose names can be found
throughout the ship," he added.
The coveted Blue Riband traditionally was awarded to the liner that
made the fastest Atlantic crossing. Recipients included such liners as
the stately Queen Mary, the glamorous Normandie and the sleek United
States - the fastest ships of their day.
The winner of the Blue Riband also received the prestigious
gold-and-onyx Hales Trophy. A full-size, one-meter-tall replica of
that trophy is displayed just inside the library’s entrance. The
distinctive prize is ornamented with a globe of the earth,
mythological gods of the sea and miniature paintings of Blue Riband
winners dating as far back as the Arizona (1879), City of New York
(1889) and Deutschland (1900).
The library’s ceiling is decorated with a huge hand-painted mural of
the North Atlantic Ocean and the eastern edge of the European
continent, showing some of history’s great shipping ports like Le
Havre, Genoa and Southampton. Ocean shipping lanes also are depicted,
showing the liners’ routes to New York, with such classic map
illustrations as lighthouses, ships in the ocean, waves and currents.
Displayed in glass cases in the library are highly detailed,
custom-made scale replicas of several Blue Riband-winning ocean
liners, including the noble Rex, stylish Mauretania and regal
Brittania.
And, beautifully displayed in gold-leaf frames throughout the salon,
commissioned oil paintings illustrate more honored winners of the
grand award, including the Acadia, Bremen, Baltic, Europa and Scotia.
Except for a circle of polished stone beneath the Hales Trophy
showcase, the entire room has deck-like teak flooring. The library
also features ship memorabilia lent by the American Merchant Marine
Museum. Other decorative elements include wooden chain moldings along
the walls and large anchors of polished brass surrounding the room.
The showpiece library features leather-upholstered sofas and
custom-woven, fabric-covered wall panels of navy blue emblazoned with
gold embroidered anchors.
Located on Atlantic Deck just off the Paradise Atrium, the Blue Riband
is a gracious salon as well as a functioning library which provides
guests the opportunity to borrow best-sellers, pen a postcard, indulge
in a game of chess or checkers, or simply relax and enjoy the new
ship’s smoke-free environment.
The Paradise will debut in November with a one-time two-day "cruise to
nowhere" from Miami departing Nov. 25 and a three-day Bahamas cruise
from Miami Nov. 27, 1998. Then, beginning Dec. 6, 1998, the ship will
operate weekly cruises from Miami alternating to the eastern and
western Caribbean.
CupCaked
r...@lighthousetravel.com (Ray Goldenberg) posted for us:
>MIAMI (06/05/98) - The era of legendary trans-Atlantic ocean liners
>comes alive for cruise vacationers in the Blue Riband Library, a
>graceful, museum-like room on Carnival Cruise Lines’ new MS Paradise,
>set to debut in November.
<snipped>
>"The Blue Riband Library is the anchor for the Paradise’s central idea
>of classic ocean liners," said Joe Farcus, long-time ship enthusiast
>and interior architect of Carnival’s "Fun Ship" fleet. "This room
>introduces you to many of the famous liners whose names can be found
>throughout the ship," he added.
Agh!
Ray, thanks as always for the worthwhile and timely information, but I
must comment about that last paragraph (I know you didn't write it, so
I'm not after the messenger <smile>).
"Long-time ship enthusiast and interior architect" Joe Farcus wouldn't
know how to transpose famous liners' interiors to modern day
newbuilds if his life depended on it. He has no concept of the word
"classic". I guess putting his "creations" in the library onboard
Carnival's new Paradise will ensure no one onboard actually sees them,
so they won't know anyway.
CupCaked, disgusted
Cal Ford
'CupCaked' wrote in message <6lmhok$3s6$1...@supernews.com>...
>r...@lighthousetravel.com (Ray Goldenberg) posted for us:>
"Long-time ship enthusiast and interior architect" Joe Farcus wouldn't
>know how to transpose famous liners' interiors to modern day
>newbuilds if his life depended on it. He has no concept of the word
>"classic". I guess putting his "creations" in the library onboard
>Carnival's new Paradise will ensure no one onboard actually sees them,
>so they won't know anyway.
You are probably right CupCaked.... I just thought it was a misprint and
should have read.... "Long-time ship enthusiast and inferior architect...."
Cal Ford
Lido Deck Cruises
CRUISECO
<<"Long-time ship enthusiast and interior architect" Joe Farcus wouldn't
know how to transpose famous liners' interiors to modern day
newbuilds if his life depended on it. He has no concept of the word
"classic". I guess putting his "creations" in the library onboard
Carnival's new Paradise will ensure no one onboard actually sees them,
so they won't know anyway.>>
I disagree. The hallmark of a great architect is the ability to take the ideas,
wishes, and vision OF THE CLIENT and turn them into reality. Nobody has any
idea of what Mr. Farcus would come up with if he was playing with his own
money.
Also, as an example of his versatility, you can look at any of the newer
Holland America ships and find public rooms every bit as elegant as anything
you'll find on the other mass market lines -- RCI, Celebrity or Princess.
I'd be willing to bet that if ever he was given a commission to create
something "classic" in the Cunard mold he wouldn't have any trouble doing it.
After all, classic implies doing what has already been done -- recreating the
style and ambiance of a previous era. It would probably bore rather than
challenge him.
In the world of art (and what we're talking about here is an art form)
greatness isn't defined by the ability to do the same old, same old
exceptionally well. What made Van Gogh, Mozart, Picasso, and Warhol great (or
horrible according to the viewer) was their ability to produce works that could
infuriate, exasperate, annoy, and make one wonder about the artist's sanity. No
great work of art in the last century was created to appeal to everyone -- the
very idea implies a bland lack of daring and emotion. And if great art is about
eliciting an emotional response then Farcus can be considered a great one. You
can love him or you can hate him but when you're on one of his ships you can't
ignore what he, in concert with Carnival Corp's management, has done.
CupCaked
On 10 Jun 1998 19:48:54 GMT, crui...@aol.com (CRUISECO) wrote:
>I disagree. The hallmark of a great architect is the ability to take the ideas,
>wishes, and vision OF THE CLIENT and turn them into reality.
Mr Farcus is NOT an architect. He is an interior designer (at least
that's what he calls himself). If his "vision" is the ideas of the
client, then that certainly speaks more about the type of passengers
who are regularly onboard Carnival ships than anything else.
>Also, as an example of his versatility, you can look at any of the newer
>Holland America ships and find public rooms every bit as elegant as anything
>you'll find on the other mass market lines -- RCI, Celebrity or Princess.
Wrong again. Farcus had nothing to do with HAL newbuilds. Dingemans
did, who (incidentally) is almost as bad.
>I'd be willing to bet that if ever he was given a commission to create
>something "classic" in the Cunard mold he wouldn't have any trouble doing it.
"Willing to bet"? Don't. At present, he's not slated to get the
chance, thank the gods.
>In the world of art (and what we're talking about here is an art form)
>greatness isn't defined by the ability to do the same old, same old
>exceptionally well.
My undergraduate degree is in art education and my minor undergrad
area of concentration is in art history. I'm familiar with the "world
of art". Mr Farcus is not included in that world by anyone else who
would be.
_________________________________________
http://members.ultracom.net/karens/
( please leave out the POTATOES to e-mail )
George Leppla
CupCaked wrote in message
>
>Wrong again. Farcus had nothing to do with HAL newbuilds. Dingemans
>did, who (incidentally) is almost as bad.
I guess the wind must have shifted in New Jersey because Cuppers wrote this
on 05/07/98 when she was whining about the decor on the new Rotterdam:
>The ship shows it's connections to Carnival/Farkas too often and much
>too colorfully, although he allegedly had nothing to do with the
>interiors.
So what is it going to be Cuppers? Did he or didn't he? Allegedly or for
sure? Do you really know or are you just venting bile because Carnival is
involved?
Will the travesties never cease? The shame, the horror, the proud
traditions, the workmen rolling in their graves, immigrants gnashing their
teeth... yadda, yadda yadda....
George in PA <--- thinks Karen is turning into a one trick pony ala AF.
Anything Carnival MUST be bad.
George Leppla, MCC
http://www.cruisemaster.com
rec.travel.cruises Information Center
http://www.chesco.com/~hbtravel/rtcinfo.htm
CRUISECO
Not to beat this to death but:
Joe Farcus, AIA (the architecture profession's version of the AMA or the Bar
Assn.) graduated with a degree in architecture, practiced architecture prior to
his association with Carnival, and has the position of Design Architect with
the company when working on the Carnival ships. The reason for this distinction
is that his work encompasses structural components which require more
engineering expertise than would be expected from an interior designer. When
he's working on the Holland America ships his work is design only -- F.C.J.
Dingemans is indeed the ships' architect. However, on the Statendam, Maasdam,
and the Ryndam III Farcus did a variety of the public rooms. I'm sitting here
reading an interview in which he describes the process of designing the Vermeer
lounge on the Ryndam (I classified that as a newbuild) -- actually pretty
interesting reading.
As to the comment about the Carnival's ships' design elements reflecting their
clientele, that's exactly my point. I think it's very unfair to commission a
designer/architect or whatever you want to call him to design a minivan and
then knock him for not giving birth to a Rolls Royce. The determining factor in
evaluating his professionalism should be: did he succeed in fulfilling the
wishes of his employer? The answer is yes -- the bigwigs at Carnival love him.
Everything else is secondary. Farcus has to please Arison and Dickinson, it's
their job to please the vacationing public.
As for the art world not embracing him I doubt he'd care. When the art world
can find genius in someone who can paint a tomato soup can accurately, or
encase a crucifix in urine, or (I'm in Northern CA remember -- these things
happen) stage a performance featuring someone being sodomized with a coke
bottle then that's world he may not wish be a citizen of.
CupCaked
On 11 Jun 1998 00:33:46 GMT, crui...@aol.com (CRUISECO) wrote:
>Not to beat this to death but:
>Dingemans is indeed the ships' architect. However, on the Statendam, Maasdam,
>and the Ryndam III Farcus did a variety of the public rooms.
Did you know that some of his "designs" for the public rooms onboard
Statendam were actually pulled out and replaced before the first
season was half over for that ship? The passengers complained...
right after management did.
>As to the comment about the Carnival's ships' design elements reflecting their
>clientele, that's exactly my point.
..and that's indeed very sad.
> -- the bigwigs at Carnival love him.
>Everything else is secondary. Farcus has to please Arison and Dickinson
I think his bosses' tastes may be maturing and expanding. He may not
be their Golden Haired Boy for very much longer.
>As for the art world not embracing him I doubt he'd care. When the art world
>can find genius in someone who can paint a tomato soup can accurately, or
>encase a crucifix in urine, or (I'm in Northern CA remember -- these things
>happen) stage a performance featuring someone being sodomized with a coke
>bottle then that's world he may not wish be a citizen of.
The art world you and I are speaking about acknowledge the (sometimes)
dubious messages in some of the types of work you cited ( and remember
I'm in the metro NY area...when I was in college, Christo 'wrapped'
our campus!), but Farcus is the joke. I can't say I see humor or
satire or social comment or beauty or political observation or emotion
in what he does. The sorry part of it all is that he's serious! He
actually thinks that what he's done is good; meanwhile, folks board
the ships he's bastardized and cry out "too much orange! too much
purple!"
Even the ships he's had nothing whatsoever to do with but are complete
messes interiorly are said to be "Farcus"-ed. There's actually been a
new adjective coined in the ship design world and it ain't
complimentary.
If you ever do anything of a creative nature, just hope someone
doesn't say it's been Farcus-ized.
You're a fan of his and obviously, I'm not. It has been very
interesting sharing ideas with you, however, and I do thank you for a
lively exchange.
Russ Patterson
Very well put. CCL ships are in a style by themselves and they are
definitely not boring!
Russ
Russ Patterson
On Wed, 10 Jun 1998 22:36:12 GMT, karen...@ultracom.net (CupCaked)
wrote:
>My undergraduate degree is in art education and my minor undergrad
>area of concentration is in art history. I'm familiar with the "world
>of art". Mr Farcus is not included in that world by anyone else who
>would be.
>
At least Mr. Farcas is working in the area of study that his degree is
in. In your line of work, I would have expected a degree in some form
of social work or criminology. Do your clients know what your degree
is in?!
Russ
Russ Patterson
On Thu, 11 Jun 1998 03:24:23 GMT, karen...@ultracom.net (CupCaked)
wrote:
>The art world you and I are speaking about acknowledge the (sometimes)
>dubious messages in some of the types of work you cited ( and remember
>I'm in the metro NY area...when I was in college, Christo 'wrapped'
>our campus!), but Farcus is the joke. I can't say I see humor or
>satire or social comment or beauty or political observation or emotion
>in what he does. The sorry part of it all is that he's serious! He
>actually thinks that what he's done is good; meanwhile, folks board
>the ships he's bastardized and cry out "too much orange! too much
>purple!"
Christo must have 'warped' the students. Sorry I just couldn't resist
the temptation.
Russ
Russ Patterson
In case anyone was wondering, I snipped too much. I was responding
to:
On 10 Jun 1998 19:48:54 GMT, crui...@aol.com (CRUISECO) wrote:
><<"Long-time ship enthusiast and interior architect" Joe Farcus wouldn't
>know how to transpose famous liners' interiors to modern day
>newbuilds if his life depended on it. He has no concept of the word
>"classic". I guess putting his "creations" in the library onboard
>Carnival's new Paradise will ensure no one onboard actually sees them,
>so they won't know anyway.>>
>
>I disagree. The hallmark of a great architect is the ability to take the ideas,
>wishes, and vision OF THE CLIENT and turn them into reality. Nobody has any
>idea of what Mr. Farcus would come up with if he was playing with his own
>money.
>
>Also, as an example of his versatility, you can look at any of the newer
>Holland America ships and find public rooms every bit as elegant as anything
>you'll find on the other mass market lines -- RCI, Celebrity or Princess.
>
>I'd be willing to bet that if ever he was given a commission to create
>something "classic" in the Cunard mold he wouldn't have any trouble doing it.
>After all, classic implies doing what has already been done -- recreating the
>style and ambiance of a previous era. It would probably bore rather than
>challenge him.
>
>In the world of art (and what we're talking about here is an art form)
>greatness isn't defined by the ability to do the same old, same old
CupCaked
I was writing above about my undergraduate degree.
My graduate degrees are in sociology/anthropology and yes, my employer
(the State of New Jersey) knows what my educational background is.
They should, since I've been employed by them for over twenty years.
I have no "clients". I'm a manager with the Civil Division of the
Superior Court of New Jersey.
Any further questions?
Andy Vlad
I agree. Joe Farcus designs to his market. His Carnival ships reflect the
Carnival concept of "fun, fun, fun." As a matter of fact he knows a great deal
about classic ships - has been an enthusiast since he was a teen ager.
Russ Patterson
On Thu, 11 Jun 1998 11:55:23 GMT, karen...@ultracom.net (CupCaked)
wrote:
>
>I was writing above about my undergraduate degree.
>
>My graduate degrees are in sociology/anthropology and yes, my employer
>(the State of New Jersey) knows what my educational background is.
>They should, since I've been employed by them for over twenty years.
>
>I have no "clients". I'm a manager with the Civil Division of the
>Superior Court of New Jersey.
>
>Any further questions?
>
Pardon me, I thought you worked as a parole officer or something to
that effect. Maybe I had you mistaken with someon else.
Russ
Remove "deletethis" to send e-mail.