The Sydney Opera House – Jørn Utzon’s Unfinished Masterpiece

Jørn Utzon was forced to leave his Sydney Opera House project in 1966. Since his departure from Australia, Utzon's developed ingenious proposals for both the Major and Minor Halls and the Glass Walls, which have all been ignored.

Now, in 2013, we are asked to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the “completed” Sydney Opera House. We question these celebrations, and ask why Utzon's masterpiece cannot now be completely realised?
With participation of his former colleagues and new archival evidence, we present Utzon’s proposals for his unfinished masterpiece; as well as crucial incidents surrounding his tragic departure. This Symposium let us revisit Utzon’s vision and establish the next steps towards bringing his still unrealised Opera House to fruition.

Speakers include
MAA Mogens Prip-Buus and RIBA Oktay Nayman, Jørn Utzon’s principal surviving assistants from his Sydney studio .

Organisers:
Associate Professor Thomas Bo Jensen, Royal Academy, School of Architecture, Cinark.
Dr. Chiu Chen-Yu, Aalto University, Department of Architecture.

Supported by:
The Royal Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture
Aalto University, Department of Architecture
Nordic Institute of Asian Studies
Ministry of Culture, Republic of China (Taiwan)
Taipei Representative office in Finland
Edition Bløndal

Agenda

10:00 – 12:00
Danish premiere:The Sydney Opera House - Autopsy on a Dream (1968).
John Weiley's long-lost 1968 film about the crises of Jørn Utzon forced departure from his Sydney Opera House project, followed by the discussion with John Weiley, Pi Michael and Daryl Dellora.

12:00 – 13:00
Lunch

13:00 – 13:20
Opening and Introduction
Presenters: Peter Thule Kristensen , Thomas Bo Jensen and Chiu Chen-Yu .

13:20 – 14:30
My time with Utzon : His personality and creativity
Presenter: Mogens Prip-Buus and Oktay Nayman
Jørn Utzon’s two principal surviving assistants from his Sydney studio tell us how they have been inspired by Utzon, and what they have learned from Utzon.

14:30 – 15:15
Letters from Steen Eiler Rasmussen: Do you believe in Utzon’s vision?
Presenter: Una Canger, Oskar Feldbæk Kristensen and Chiu Chen-Yu
The crucial letters between Jørn Utzon , Steen Eiler Rasmussen , David Hughes and Ove Arup will be presented for showing why and how Utzon was forced to leave his Sydney project in 1966.

15:15-15:45
Coffee Break

15:45 – 16:30
Utzon’s unfinished masterpiece: Its inspiration, evolution and future
Presenter: Chiu Chen-Yu
What has and what has Utzon not realized for his Sydney Opera House? Let us revisit Utzon’s vision and establish the next steps towards bringing his still unrealised Opera House to fruition.

17:00 – 18:00
Discussion and Conclusion
Panel Discussion chaired by Thomas Bo Jensen and Chiu Chen-Yu

18:00 – 19:00
Wine and Farewell