0040, 1215 AUSTRALIA (New South Wales) - Sydney Opera House (UNESCO WHS)

0040 Sydney Opera House (1)

"There is no doubt that the Sydney Opera House is his masterpiece. It is one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century, an image of great beauty that has become known throughout the world - a symbol for not only a city, but a whole country and continent", wrote Hyatt Foundation in the memo supporting the granting of Pritzker Architecture Prize (architecture's Highest Honor) to Jørn Utzon in 2003. But many had to bear the danish from the Australian authorities during the construction of the Sydney Opera House, although just these authorities have chosen his project following a design competition.

1215 Sydney Opera House (2)

Lack of vision of the construction firms, politicians obtuseness, politically lowballed construction budget (final costs amounted to 102 million AUD, while the initial budget was 7 million) and poor communication between the involved parties were just as many reasons for Utzon to resign in 1966, seven years after the construction begining and exactly seven before it ends.For various reasons, the costs being the main, Danish's plans weren't respected to the interiors achievement, which later turned out to be a mistake. As a supreme disregard, Utzon not only wasn't invited to the inauguration, but nor was his name mentioned.

In the late 90s the Sydney Opera House Trust has attempted a reconciliation with the architect, and in 2007 was even approved the proposal to rebuild after its original plans. On June 28rd, 2007 the Sydney Opera House was declared a World Heritage Site. Jørn Utzon was first person to was still alive while one of their works was added to the List. Utzon died on 29 November 2008. According to Christian Norberg-Schulz, in Architecture: Meaning and Place, "Jørn Utzon represents a true continuation of the new tradition opened by these pioneers [Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Alvar Aalto and Louis Kahn]. Because of his concrete, phenomenological approach to the world in which we live, he has been able to rescue architecture from the sterile impasse of late-modernism. In his works the basic elements of lived space become present: the earth, the sky and the between of human existence.”

About the stamps
On the postcard 0040
The first stamp is part of the series Australia Day, issued on January 23, 1987 and consists from two stamps, both with the value of 0.36 AUD:
• Australian Flag on Printed Circuit Board - It’s on the postcard 0040
• "Australian Made" Campaign Logos

The second belongs to AUSSAT National Communications Satellite System set, issued on January 24, 1986 and consist from two stamps:
• AUSSAT Satellite, Moon and Earth's Surface (0.33 AUD)
• AUSSAT Satellite in Orbit (0.80 AUD) - It’s on the postcard 0040

The third is part of Living Together definitive set (issued, it seems, between 1988 and 2004), containing not less than 27 stamps (reproductions of caricatures made by several authors and illustrating human preoccupations and institutions):
• Religion (0.01 AUD)
• Industry (0.02 AUD)
• Local Government (0.03 AUD)
• Trade Unions (0.04 AUD)
• Parliament (0.05 AUD)
• Transport (0.10 AUD)
• Sport (0.15 AUD)
• Commerce (0.20 AUD)
• Housing (0.25 AUD)
• Welfare (0.30 AUD)
• Postal services (0.37 AUD)
• Tourism (0.39 AUD)
• Recreation (0.40 AUD)
• Health (0.45 AUD) - It’s on the postcard 0040
• Mining (0.50 AUD)
• Primary Industry (0.53 AUD)
• Education (0.55 AUD)
• Armed Forces (0.60 AUD)
• Police (0.63 AUD)
• Telecommunications (0.65 AUD)
• The Media (0.68 AUD)
• Science and Technology (0.70 AUD)
• Visual Arts (0.75 AUD)
• Performing Arts (0.80 AUD)
• Banking (0.90 AUD)
• Law (0.95 AUD)
• Rescue and Emergency (1.00 AUD)

On the postcard 1215
The stamp is one of the two issued by Australia Post on July 2, 2014, to celebrate the Royal Visit to Australia of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with HRH Prince George of Cambridge. The 10-day royal visit began on 16 April 2014 when the family arrived in Sydney. This was the first official visit to Australia for the Duchess of Cambridge and the third for the Duke. The designer of the stamps is Simone Sakinofsky of the Australia Post Design Studio using photographs by Samir Hussein/WireImage (0.70 AUD) and Chris Jackson/Getty Images (2.60 AUD).
• Domestic base-rate (70 AUD)
• International rate (2.60 AUD) - It’s on the postcard 1215

References
Sydney Opera House - Wikipedia
Between Earth and Sky: The work of Jørn Utzon... - VBN Publication

Sender 0040: Sharon Busuttil (direct swap)
Sent from ??? (Australia), on 31.10.2011
Sender 1215: Deborah / deb0rahanne (postcrossing)
Sent from Nerrigundah (New South Wales / Australia), on 24.08.2014