Y-BLOCK / The perspective of the Y-block's symbolic value has changed in the time since the demolition decision, without it becoming apparent to central politicians.




(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)

Security has been the main argument for the demolition of the Y-block. The decision was initially initiated by the Cabinet of Ministers Rigmor Aasrud in the Ministry of Renewal, Administration and Church in the Stoltenberg II Government in 2013. The demolition decision is historic.

In the past, the perspective of the symbolic value of the Y-block has changed, without it becoming apparent to key politicians. In the struggle for the preservation of Wye block the Labor Party should have been at the forefront.

Today, there is a cross-political art environment (and more) that fights for the Y-block's continued existence in an argument that should be carefully listened to. As is well known, counter-movement is also part of democracy. The Y-block movement is a powerful political signal.

The international community is also responding to the demolition decision. cultural heritage organization Europa Nostra looks at the Y block as one of the 14 most endangered European cultural monuments. The cultural heritage experts in Icomos Norway / UNESCO will maintain the Y-block.

That the Labor Party does not understand the enormously strong symbolic power of the Y-block's survival is incomprehensible.

More than urban development and Picasso

For the Y-block there is no trifle. Conservation is about something more than urban development, about preserving Picasso's art and ingenious architecture. The Y-block was the main target for the terrorist attack in 2011. The plan was the annihilation. Why did he choose this particular place? Why not other equally strong signal buildings?

The attack was directly aimed at the Labor Party, but also against a democratic Norwegian public symbolized by precisely the H-block and the Y-block. The two buildings are one of the Norwegian architectural miracles of world history. The invention of natural concrete, the use of river stones, and Picasso's art are the main arguments alone in the conservation case.

A worldview

When Erling Viksjø drew H-block (1958) and Wye block (1970), it was in a likely design line to the UN headquarters in New York (1952) and the Y-shaped UNESCO building in Paris (1958). As UN building and the Unesco building also represents the H-block and Y-block a symbolic whole, a compressed version of a worldview.

UNESCO building in Paris
The UNESCO building in Paris, seen from the Eiffel Tower. (Wikipedia)

UN and Unesco are strong signal organizations in a world community, as a social force developed from the 1700th century until the time after World War II, in a view of society as a collective individualistic, humanistic and universal and international system.

It was these values ​​the terrorist attacked. A demolition of the Y-block will support the terrorist's plan to attack, and preferably obliterate it. We are many who want to fight for those values. Fortunately for us, Viksjø's architecture was too solid; it was meant to last for 1000 years.

The symbol of values ​​the terrorist hated. We can justify the terrorist in one thing; The Y-block is the symbol of values ​​he hated, which is why he directed his attack on such a community society. He failed. Therefore the Y-block must stand!

The H-block has become the symbol of persistent resistance and survival against terror from the outer right. The Y-block, associated with the Y-shaped UNESCO building in Paris, has symbolic power greater than capital or explosive power.

That both inner and outer right forces want the Y-block destroyed because of its symbolic value is understandable, but that the Labor Party does not understand the enormously strong symbolic power of the Y-block's survival is incomprehensible.

The security argument is falling

The whole of Oslo is built on underground traffic systems. The Parliament stands at a subway station, and the Castle is built over the subway race. Oslo S, the National Theater and the new National Museum are also located above tunnel systems. We can't look back anyway, we have to look forward. We cannot tear the Y-block because Grubbegata was not secured in 2007. Maybe the Y-block is no longer suitable for housing the government apparatus, maybe a peace center would be better suited.

As memorials, the Y-block and the H-block are already among us: as pillars, as hopes for solidity, steadfastness and for survival.

Maybe we don't need any "memorials" over July 22, 2011 as long as the Y block and H block are. They are our memorials, and as memorials, these are already among us: as pillars, as hopes for solidity, steadfastness, and for survival. They arouse resistance to destructive forces. The Y-block is our hope.

Terror creates anxiety

Anxiety is the main purpose and foremost instrument of terror. When the fear of society again being attacked, terror has won. When terror forces us into new thought and behavior patterns that change our natural, safe and trusting everyday behavior, the terrorist wins. The terror creates and owns the anxiety. This is exactly why we should not be intimidated. Therefore the Y-block must stand!

Eradication is a known power-historical grip. The best way to forget is to get rid of the matter the memory attaches to. To tear the Y-block is to erase it from our consciousness. Erasing means the same thing as crushing, destroying, annihilating and annihilating, destroying, utterly destroying, breaking.

The pain of the events in 2011 does not disappear by avoiding the reminder.

The Y-block MUST stand. Let Y stand!

Also read: The Y-block: The tragedy of the nation

External links:

The tear permit for the Y-block is not granted deferred implementation (26.2.2020)

Decisions on demolition of the Y-block remain standing (19.12.2019)

Adoption of a state regulation plan for a new government quarter (2017)

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