[RWin]

How about an art thread?

To start with, how 'bout that upside down church?

I ask because there has been some interesting points made in the other thread but theres all the other off topic stuff about construction to filter through.

I think most have said they like like. What do you like about it?

Where do you think it should go?

As art, does it matter what the artist intended? Or is our interpretation what counts?

What do you all think?

[RWin]

(Notice the lack of the word Calgary in the first post.)

[DizzyEdge]

How about an art thread?

To start with, how 'bout that upside down church?

I ask because there has been some interesting points made in the other thread but theres all the other off topic stuff about construction to filter through.

I think most have said they like like. What do you like about it?

Where do you think it should go?

As art, does it matter what the artist intended? Or is our interpretation what counts?

What do you all think?

It's tricky, because quite often it's our interpretation that counts, but if we don't like our interpretation, we blame the artist regardless of their intention :)

[Wooster]

Here's something for our new art thread. This one should certainly provoke some discussion.


Toronto artist awarded $1 million Arriva public art commission
Calgary Herald
Published: Thursday, June 05, 2008

CALGARY - A $1 million public art competition to design a work for the Arriva residential site in historic Victoria Park has been awarded to Micah Lexier for a sculpture that takes the playful form of a giant scribble, developer and arts patron John Torode announced Thursday.

Lexier's linear sculpture, Half K, brings a unique approach to the site, which takes in a full city block, and will become the largest and most innovative public artwork in the city.

Bounded by 12th and 11th Avenues S.E. and by 3rd Street S.E. and Olympic Way, the arriVa project includes one of the three residential towers slated for the project, a podium and two heritage school buildings, Victoria Park School and Bungalow School.

The half-kilometre-long sculpture, made of 500 metres of painted steel pipe, will twist, curl and flow around the Bungalow School in a series of arabesques and arch up into the air above it. The school is located on the 12th Avenue side of the site.

The $1 million arriVa commission is the first in a series of public art projects that will raise the Torode Group of Companys' commitment to the arts by bringing public art into the urban spaces in which Calgarians live, work and play, Torode said.

Lexier, an internationally known Canadian artist, based in Toronto, has close ties to Calgary where he is represented by TrepanierBaer Gallery. One of his earliest public works, A Portrait of My Grandfather, was commissioned by the University of Calgary for its Scurfield Hall in 1994.

Half K, which is Lexier's 12th public art commission, will be completed and installed on the site sometime within the next two years.

© Calgary Herald 2008

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=6f574db9-1593-44a8-9da4-aa2e3bb7a862


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/joshwhit/Arrivaart2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/joshwhit/Arrivaart1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/joshwhit/Arrivaart3.jpg

And, Bigtime's View
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/joshwhit/Arrivaart4.jpg

[ST1]

Hmm, not sure about that one? If was LED lighting that glowed at night :cool:

[RWin]

I like it.

But then I like the trees by Bankers Hall too.

[Wooster]

It's interesting that it is described as a 'playful scribble'. Perhaps a homage to children that used to occupy the school it seems to play with? It's kind of an absurd scribble, but perhaps that's appropriate given the sort of absurdity of moving this school building and its placement among a forest of skyscrapers.

Aesthetically, it's hard to judge until it's actually installed.

It's been an interesting week for public art in Calgary, that's for sure!

P.S. I also love the Stephen Avenue Trees.

[Bigtime]

My wife and I went to the unveiling tonight. A very positive reception by all attending!

When Micah was describing it he said us residents can now say they "live at the Scribble" instead of arriVa :haha:

Both Mrs. Bigtime and myself are very excited to see this going forward! They said they were shooting for installation by September '09.

[Xelebes]

I actually like it. It's big enough you can actually play in it.

[Surrealplaces]

Interestingly enough, it'll be across the street from The height of Stampitecture, the Stampede Casino.

It'll make a great jungle jim for the drunks leaving the Stampede :)

I didn't like it at first glance, but I'm liking it, the more I look at it.

[240glt]

^ Neat. I like it.

[freeweed]

I absolutely love the scribble.

Sadly, I give it less than 6 months before some stupid kid seriously hurts or kills himself by climbing it or trying to skateboard down one of the more level lengths. Then just watch the parent groups trying to have it removed or heavily fenced up.

That thing just SCREAMS "climb me!". :haha:

[You Need A Thneed]

The scribble will look great. Fitting for an old school site.

[DizzyEdge]

I'm the only one that thinks it only looks slightly better than if they covered the school in a tangle of barbed wire aren't I...


.. now that I look at it more.. I think it's the fact it sort of.. interferes with the view of the historic school that bugs me... as I study it I think if it was alone in an open space, I would like it a lot more.

[Wooster]

Art changing face of Calgary
Displays will raise cultural profile
Nancy Tousley, Calgary Herald
Published: Friday, June 06, 2008

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/joshwhit/art.jpg

A $1-million public art competition to design a work for the Arriva residential site in historic Victoria Park has resulted in one of the largest and most innovative works of public art destined for Calgary.

The commission was awarded to Canadian artist Micah Lexier for a major sculpture that takes the playful form of a giant scribble he calls Half K, the project's developer John Torode announced Thursday.

With the announcement on Monday that Dennis Oppenheim's Device to Root out Evil is on its way to the Glenbow Museum from Vancouver, this has been a good week for Calgary, a turning point that is raising the quality of the public art here a hundredfold, and with it, the city's profile.

The Arriva project, bounded by 12th and 11th Avenues S.E. and by 3rd Street S.E. and Olympic Way, includes one of three residential towers slated for the project, a podium and two heritage school buildings, Victoria Park School and Bungalow School.

Lexier's linear sculpture brings a unique approach to the site, which takes in a full city block, and will become a focal point for public art in the city. If the "scribble" were untangled and stretched out into a straight line, the line would be a half-kilometre long, hence the work's title, Half K.

As it is, the sculpture, to be made of 500 metres of painted steel pipe, will twist, curl and flow around the Bungalow School in a series of arabesques and arch up into the air above it. Its open volumes will occupy space in a dynamic way that creates maximum visual impact by engaging and moving the eye, unlike solid, static sculptures dwarfed by the towers they adorn.

"My original thought was to go tall because there wasn't a big footprint," said Lexier, who has used scribbles in his One Minute of My Time series. "Then it occurred to me that I could go into the air."

The $1-million Arriva commission is the first in a series of public art projects that will raise the Torode Group of Companies' commitment to the arts by bringing public art into urban spaces where Calgarians live, work and play, said Torode.

He is putting art, most of which he selects himself, into all of the Torode properties.

This time, however, "Instead of commissioning one sculpture, I thought 'Why don't we have a competition?' " he said. "I'm hoping it will inspire other developers."

Mayor Dave Bronconnier praised the project Thursday, saying it satisfies two city objectives by preserving heritage buildings and installing a major work of public art that "will certainly be a talker in the community."

"I think it's fantastic with a private sector firm coming forward with a significant public art installation," Bronconnier said.

"I think it will invoke a sense of place within the restoration and revitalization of the east part of downtown."

The Arriva commission is the fruit of a juried international competition that opened last September. Lexier was chosen from a short list of five artists, which included Oppenheim and fellow Americans Alice Aycock and Donald Lipsky and Canadian artist Noel Harding.

Torode headed the seven-member jury that selected Lexier's work. The other jurors were Lance Carlson, president of the Alberta College of Art & Design; David Lis, director of the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art in Toronto; Calgary artist Chris Cran; Heather Saunders, with the city's public art program; Mary L. Beebe, director if the Stuart Collection at the University of California in San Diego; and Rene Marcous-Devine, former art program director for the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle.

Lexier, an internationally known Canadian artist, based in Toronto, has close ties to Calgary, where he is represented by TrepanierBaer Gallery. One of his earliest public artworks, A Portrait of My Grandfather, was commissioned by the University of Calgary for its Scurfield Hall in 1994.

Half K, which is Lexier's 12th public art commission, will be completed and installed on the Arriva site sometime within the next two years.

Meanwhile, Oppenheim's provocative Device to Root out Evil, a glass, steel and aluminum sculpture of an upside-down church whose steeple is plunged into the earth, was removed this week from its former location in Vancouver's Green Harbour Park, after complaints that it was blocking the harbour view of condo owners.

The Glenbow, where the Oppenheim will be on long-term loan, is currently seeking sponsors and an appropriate site on which to relocate the 22-foot high sculpture.

ntousley@theherald.canwest.com

- - -

Tell Us What You Think:

What are your thoughts about the new public art planned for Calgary?

CalgaryHerald.com

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=8f5ac94f-33a8-4bb0-9fcb-d84150fb85c3

[Bigtime]

I absolutely love the scribble.

Sadly, I give it less than 6 months before some stupid kid seriously hurts or kills himself by climbing it or trying to skateboard down one of the more level lengths. Then just watch the parent groups trying to have it removed or heavily fenced up.

That thing just SCREAMS "climb me!". :haha:

Mrs. Bigtime thought the same thing as well! Although Micah told us they are trying to design it in a way to minimize the ability to climb up on it. But as for interacting with it you could easily sit on the lower portions and look up at the rest of it.

Actually the more I think about it the more excited I am to see this coming to our neighbourhood.

Now we'll have to wait and see what Torode comes up with for the art piece for 8 West. Although he may have given me a little peek at that already ;)

[RWin]

Now we'll have to wait and see what Torode comes up with for the art piece for 8 West. Although he may have given me a little peek at that already ;)

Any hints?

[Wooster]

Mrs. Bigtime thought the same thing as well! Although Micah told us they are trying to design it in a way to minimize the ability to climb up on it.

I could imagine some pretty wicked parkour happening on that thing!

[Bigtime]

Any hints?

An interesting take on trees. I can't say anymore. :)

[RWin]

An interesting take on trees. I can't say anymore. :)

So its going to be big then?

[Bigtime]

So its going to be big then?

I don't think so. I haven't seen any conceptual renderings or drawings, just the way Torode was describing it to me.

[Innersoul1]

Kudos to John for setting the bar for other developers in the city. The art is unique some will love it and I am am sure some will hate it but that is just the nature of art. Any idea if the steel will have colour to it or will it be as shown in the renderings?

I a now waiting to see some art incorporated into the exterior of a building. Something really amazing could be done. For example one of my fave buildings in Victoria is the Mosaic Building on Fort Street.
http://www.mosaicvictoria.com/images/exterior.jpg

[Cowtown_Tim]

I like it.

[WeavedWeb]

I like it.

But then I like the trees by Bankers Hall too.

Me too.

P.S., Why do so many people hate those trees?

[Jimby]

Me too.

P.S., Why do so many people hate those trees?

Oh, I always thought they were giant spatulas! I think they make good photo opps for me.



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2223/2387670844_f34055a8ed.jpg


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/490983064_0cd5810c32.jpg

[RWin]

Me too.

P.S., Why do so many people hate those trees?

Not sure. In the beginning I didn't like them either. Did they take out some real trees to put those there? That may be it.

Over time though, I've come to really like them.

[Boris2k7]

Kudos to John for setting the bar for other developers in the city. The art is unique some will love it and I am am sure some will hate it but that is just the nature of art. Any idea if the steel will have colour to it or will it be as shown in the renderings?

I a now waiting to see some art incorporated into the exterior of a building. Something really amazing could be done. For example one of my fave buildings in Victoria is the Mosaic Building on Fort Street.

That building is art itself, even without the front

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/9027/img6908dn0.jpg

[Innersoul1]

I always called it the peep show building as people on the upper floors rarely use their blinds! LOL

[RWin]

I hope these works of art will be seen as art rather than just roadside attractions.

[KONYS]

I have always loved the trees and cannot understand the aversion. My GF hates them! The scribble is unconventional and dare I say dynamic. I love it. A great week for Calgary. Thank you Torode.

[Innersoul1]

Did the winning piece of art HAVE to incorporate the old bungalow school?

[lubicon]

Re: the sculpture (or whatever) at Arriva.

I can't say I like it. I don't get it, and it does nothing for me. Looks like someone hauled over a scrap piece of twisted metal from some building that was demolished.

But whatever, we all have our opinions and I DO like the fact that someone has the vision to at least try something. It's better than nothing at all.

[240glt]

The one thing I don't like is that the article mentions it will be painted metal. Painted sculptures tend to start looking shabby after a while. I would have prefered to see this in stainless steel or aluminum.

[Bigtime]

Did the winning piece of art HAVE to incorporate the old bungalow school?

No it did not. About 4 months ago I was talking with Torode about the competition, and he said he was amazed at the scale some of the projects would be. Showing us on the model at the sales centre that they could pretty much set it up anywhere on the site between the towers as they liked. Obviously it would be tweaked a little due to site constraints or restrictions, but they had complete freedom. Something Micah made mention of last night when he was talking. It was completely free to the artists to decide what to do, no pre-requisites.

[Holden West]

The one thing I don't like is that the article mentions it will be painted metal. Painted sculptures tend to start looking shabby after a while. I would have prefered to see this in stainless steel or aluminum.

Aluminum is a great material for public art in urban areas but it needs to be cleaned every few months with soapy water in order to remove dirt and sulfur deposits caused by exhaust fumes or the surface will become pitted and corroded. Unfortunately, cities rarely incorporate this cost into their budgets. We should treat our art infrastructure with the same care we put into our road and bridge infrastructure. Oops, looking at our roads and bridges, I take that back.

The upside down church ("Device to Root Out Evil") is a powerful work of art. Its appearance is arresting, and makes you think. Is it pro-religious, or anti-religious? Or is it about something else altogether?

This is a shameful episode in Vancouver's art history, and a triumph for Alberta. I hope it has a long life there.

[Innersoul1]

Aluminum is a great material for public art in urban areas but it needs to be cleaned every few months with soapy water in order to remove dirt and sulfur deposits caused by exhaust fumes or the surface will become pitted and corroded. Unfortunately, cities rarely incorporate this cost into their budgets. We should treat our art infrastructure with the same care we put into our road and bridge infrastructure. Oops, looking at our roads and bridges, I take that back.

The upside down church ("Device to Root Out Evil") is a powerful work of art. Its appearance is arresting, and makes you think. Is it pro-religious, or anti-religious? Or is it about something else altogether?

This is a shameful episode in Vancouver's art history, and a triumph for Alberta. I hope it has a long life there.

With that being said stainless steel is PRICEY as HELL at the moment! I am trying to build a stainless steel fireplace that burns denaturized ethanol and the cost for a sheet of stainless is nuts!http://www.vangasfireplaces.com/upload/Vision/Vision-Euro-Homes.jpg

[240glt]

I was just wondering what a half a kilometer of 4-5" stainless tubing would cost. I can't even remember the last time I purchased a bulk amount of it. There's company in Kelowna where I get all my various metals. (copper, aluminum etc) They're pretty reasonable.

ETA: ^ Looks nice I1!

[Holden West]

Kudos to John for setting the bar for other developers in the city. The art is unique some will love it and I am am sure some will hate it but that is just the nature of art. Any idea if the steel will have colour to it or will it be as shown in the renderings?

I a now waiting to see some art incorporated into the exterior of a building. Something really amazing could be done. For example one of my fave buildings in Victoria is the Mosaic Building on Fort Street.
http://www.mosaicvictoria.com/images/exterior.jpg

The Mosaic condo was originally an office building built in 1963 by local modernist architect John Di Castri (http://www.maltwood.uvic.ca/Architecture/ma/design_story/images_story/town/1962-1968/m63rtb.jpg), who died recently. Here's how the building looked originally:

http://www.maltwood.uvic.ca/Architecture/ma/design_story/images_story/town/1962-1968/m63rtb.jpg

Note on the right how the motel-style baconies were eliminated and the exterior wall pulled out to the surface. Also note the added penthouse.

The murals were not part of the original plan but were proposed by the developer. When Di Castri heard of the plan he was angry, saying the kitsch of the murals detracted from the building's pure modernism.

In the late 90s when the building was being renovated, the local heritage preservation society complained (http://www.hallmarksociety.ca/Endangered_sites_removed.html) about the windows cut into the murals but the developer claimed it was absolutely necessary to bring light into the condos. And they said, hey, it's kitsch, so no biggie.

[Innersoul1]

Thanks for the history lesson! I have always wondered about that building!

[Sacamano]

Does Calgary have a 1% or more art "tax" on development or does this factor into density bonusing or is this straight out philanthropy ?

I hate how the scupture overpowers and somewhat clashes with the school. Be much better if it had its own plaza

[mersar]

Does Calgary have a 1% or more art "tax" on development or does this factor into density bonusing or is this straight out philanthropy ?

I hate how the scupture overpowers and somewhat clashes with the school. Be much better if it had its own plaza

The city includes 1% on all capital projects, there isn't a requirement for developers though there are bonuses available in terms of FAR if they do include public art.

[Bigtime]

So the new Stampede Casino has a sculpture out in front, on the west side of the sidewalk. I'll try and grab a picture of it today. It is of a bullrider, but only the bulls head and the upper torso of the rider are solid, the rest looks like a wireframe. I actually think it is kind of neat, and because of the wire frame look it comes across as more modern than just a solid sculpture.

[Bigtime]

Here are the two new casino pieces, I spoke with the artists and they informed me they are stainless steel with the solid parts being copper. They were still assembling the chuckwagon one when I snapped the shot.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg247/Staynera/06-14-08001.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg247/Staynera/06-14-08002.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg247/Staynera/06-14-08003.jpg

[lubicon]

I like those, except perhaps the concrete wall behind the chuckwagons/horses. Depending on what is behind the wall (between the wall and the building) it kind of cuts off and isolates that part of the sidewalk. Maybe if I saw it in person and in it's full context I might change my opinion. Overall I do like them.

[Bigtime]

I like those, except perhaps the concrete wall behind the chuckwagons/horses. Depending on what is behind the wall (between the wall and the building) it kind of cuts off and isolates that part of the sidewalk. Maybe if I saw it in person and in it's full context I might change my opinion. Overall I do like them.

Behind that wall is another entrance/exit to the underground parking. So I think we did pretty good all things considered there.

[The Chemist]

Here are the two new casino pieces, I spoke with the artists and they informed me they are stainless steel with the solid parts being copper. They were still assembling the chuckwagon one when I snapped the shot.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg247/Staynera/06-14-08001.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg247/Staynera/06-14-08002.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg247/Staynera/06-14-08003.jpg

These are really nifty! I love the mix of new and old styles in them. :tup: :tup:

[Wooster]

EnCana deal will put Calgary on world art map
By MICHAEL PLATT

The artists's name is Jaume Plensa, and the only thing certain so far: Whatever he has planned for the base of Calgary's largest office tower, it'll be impossible to ignore.

That's a guarantee, even if you're the type who thinks of art only when it's on sale at the nearest mall, preferably in a colour scheme that matches the new sofa cushions.

You might love it, or you might loathe it, but the Spanish artist known for his head-scratching, eye-poppingly odd public sculpture is certain to change Calgary's perception of public art for good.

It makes sense. If you're building the tallest office tower in Western Canada, you should ask the biggest "big art" artist in the world to anchor it -- and EnCana has not disappointed.

Jaume Plensa, born in 1955, Barcelona, Spain, is best known for his Crown Fountain in Chicago's Millennium Park.

He's not quite a household name, but the rumour Plensa has been chosen to create an installation for the Bow building at Centre St. and 6 Ave. has had local art lovers giddy with anticipation for weeks.

That giddiness can now switch to pure glee -- EnCana has confirmed the rumour as truth, and it will be not one, but two works of art.

"Jaume Plensa is the artist," said EnCana spokeswoman Carol Howes.

Plensa was chosen from 20 competing artists to create art installations for the main plaza and northwest podium of the under-construction Bow, and they'll both be unveiled in a few months, says Howes.

Fabrication methods for the main plaza piece are currently being explored -- in other words, experts are deciding how to make Plensa's idea actually work, and how to best build it.

That it requires a "fabrication study" suggests it's going to be big and impressive.

Howes says the artist visited Calgary and spent time here getting to know the city and its citizens before submitting the design.

"We're very excited about this because we believe the installation of Mr. Plensa's work against the backdrop of the Bow will make a strong cultural statement, not just in Calgary, but in Canada and internationally," said Howes.

Of course, corporations have expressed excitement about art in this city before, and we've ended up with more bronze horses and soulless statues. This promises to be different.

It's a big deal because Plensa is a big deal, at least in the world of public art.

He's the Picasso of large sculpture, in that his work is unpredictable, challenging and desirable -- for Calgary, a major Plensa piece is a serious coup, finally putting our city on the world art map.

The aforementioned fountain in Chicago's Millennium Park, which opened in 2004, is considered one of the windy city's major landmarks, drawing visitors from all over the globe, and driving up real-estate values in the neighbourhood near the park.

So what is this magnificent tourist magnet? It's a fountain. A fountain that spits at you.

Huh? You read that right. Plensa erected two glass towers filled with light-emitting diodes, and the towers broadcast photographic close-ups of citizen's faces, not unlike a massive television.

But every so often, as the huge faces flash by, one will purse its lips and a spout of water will shoot forth, "spitting" on the delighted people below.

YouTube "Plensa" and watch for yourself. His past famous works include a landmark-sized person built with letters, and a row of giant gongs, waiting to be played.

Plensa's recent output often involves modern media such as neon, lasers and electricity.

He famously designed an overhead light and water installation in Raleigh, N.C., that would have mimicked the aurora borealis had it not been rejected as unsuitable for a historic district.

Though there's bound to be controversy in Calgary, there's little chance his ultra-modern ideas won't suit our core.

Ald. Druh Farrell optimistically believes Calgary is ready for art that does more than blend into its surroundings, and the recent announcement of a $1-million public sculpture by Canadian artist Micah Lexier in Victoria Park shows she might be right.

"We're seeing a city that's finally getting excited about public art," said Farrell.

------------------------

Some of his works - I can't wait to see this unveiling!

http://petanqueandpastis.typepad.com/my_weblog/images/2007/11/15/img0017_la_grande_nomade.jpg

http://img.ledsmagazine.com/objects/features/thumb/2/5/3/CrownAerial.jpg

[lubicon]

Behind that wall is another entrance/exit to the underground parking. So I think we did pretty good all things considered there.

If it is an entrance to a parkade then I change my mind, the wall isn't doing any harm.

[etown]

This piece of art is in a playground in Edmonton. It cost the community about 30k, but I think its great to have art that you can climb on and not just look at. Its done by Alberta artist Stewart Steinhauer


http://strathconacommunity.ca/tubbybuff1.jpg

[Deepstar]

^That's a nice little piece of simple art. At 30K, quite a reasonable price.

[Wooster]

... trying to move the arts and cultural discussion over to this thread.

I really think that Alberta ought to use its wealth to its advantage in cultivating strong cultural activity. It really should be thought of not only as part of improving quality of life, but also as an economic development and diversification plan. Creative industries should become a key cog in Alberta's economy. It creates jobs, has different multiplier effects in the economy in areas like tourism. Beyond that, it has a huge intrinsic value.

I still stand behind my idea that surplus money should go to a large cultural endowment that would help make cultural institutions financially independent. Something like a $1 billion endowment.

Also adjusting tax laws to encourage more donations from Alberta's substantial corporate community.

[Wooster]

I agree with a lot of what you have to say here. economic conditions certainly can attribute to a cities preceved cultural attributes. so places like Montreal and Winnipeg reap the rewards of economic plight, but those are just two examples. Toronto, for example, does not share the economic plight but they seem to be able to cultivate a creative force, and to a lesser extent so does Vancouver and Obviously there are a myriad of reasons for this, geography, population, existing cultural facilities, etc.

Again, trying to bring the discussion over to where it belongs

In the case of Toronto, its cultural pull comes largely from its critical mass. A city that large is naturally going to have larger cultural production,and is the centre of gravity for media, which uses a lot of creative talent. Calgary is starting to develop that critical mass. The cultural scene in pretty much every respect has grown substantially in the past decade regardless of the holes that still exist (the medium-sized concert venue, major art gallery etc). There are efforts to start plugging those gaps (Bronconnier is pushing for the fantastic science centre building to be adapted and expanded to become a contemporary art gallery - It would be cool to see the planetarium dome replaced with a glass structure for instance to use that space as an interesting gallery room).

As for Vancouver, I'm not sure really what it's scene is like, but I hear a lot of Vancouverites lament its residents ambivalent attitude towards the arts.

[jeffwhit]

I agree with a lot of what you have to say here. economic conditions certainly can attribute to a cities preceved cultural attributes. so places like Montreal and Winnipeg reap the rewards of economic plight, but those are just two examples. Toronto, for example, does not share the economic plight but they seem to be able to cultivate a creative force, and to a lesser extent so does Vancouver and Obviously there are a myriad of reasons for this, geography, population, existing cultural facilities, etc.
Josh already addressed this, particularly in regards to Toronto.

So how does/can Calgary compete? We've heard before that Alberta intends to become a leading academic region, are their funds going towards institutions like ACAD or the fine arts programs at the UofC? or are we just concerned with filling pot holes and building the ring road so people can get back to their houses in Tuscany faster?

I said, an unheard of government intervention would be required, and in Canada, save for the occasional opening of the faucets in Quebec, this is a near impossibility.

As for your comments regarding the sled island festival and music venues that you have travelled to on foot. well, sled island is a once a year (maybe) event. I'm not talking about the exception, I'm talking about the everyday. And I'm not making ignorant statements in regards to 'where are the music venues/art galleries?' those are honest questions. do they exist in Calgary? UI know there is one on 11th called Timezone (I believe), but it would be great if there were about ten of them. In regards to music shows; I know a few years back you could go the Night Gallery and see a show with a few hundred people, you can pack the ship and anchor, but that's not what I'm trying to get at. Where downtown (in the urban core, if such a thing exists in Calgary) can you go see a show with 2-3 thousand people? FlamesCentral is not what I am referring to here either.

Could you please give an example in Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg that is an example of this, because I am at a loss. And why are you arbitrarily excluding Flames Central, who despite having tasteless decor, has done an excellent job of bringing shows in. I agree, we need a large ballroom type space in the inner city, but Mac Hall's location, in the mean time, does not negate it's existance, or the fact it is well used. (I agree, it sucks, but it's not keeping bands away from Calgary.) You seem to have very rigid criteria for "what counts."

[ILikeDogs]

... trying to move the arts and cultural discussion over to this thread.

I really think that Alberta ought to use its wealth to its advantage in cultivating strong cultural activity. It really should be thought of not only as part of improving quality of life, but also as an economic development and diversification plan. Creative industries should become a key cog in Alberta's economy. It creates jobs, has different multiplier effects in the economy in areas like tourism. Beyond that, it has a huge intrinsic value.

I still stand behind my idea that surplus money should go to a large cultural endowment that would help make cultural institutions financially independent. Something like a $1 billion endowment.

Also adjusting tax laws to encourage more donations from Alberta's substantial corporate community.

completely agree. If you look at an institution like EEEL, that's a great addition to the UofC. but lets see an investment in a cultural institution of the same magnitude whether it be ACAD, or a high end museum that may partially act as a live-in artist residence, or some sort of artist co-operative. In my eyes those sorts of funding and donations are the best way in which Calgary can advance in regards to cultivating a creative force within the arts.

[Sir.Humphrey.Appleby]

Calgary's art scene is pretty good for having a catchment area of only 1.2-1.3 million people. Toronto is 8.1 million(Golden Horseshoe, 5.1 CMA), Montreal 3.6 million. Of course it could and should be better, especially with the cluster of white collar high income workers we have.

For comparable size in the USA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_United_States_Metropolitan_Statistical_Areas), we have cities like Salt Lake, Memphis, Buffalo, Rochester.

For Europe, you can look for yourself (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Largest_European_cities_and_metropolitan_areas), but comparable cities definitely are less known.

Calgary has a good brand internationally, a reasonably unique weird cowboy myth to help anchor the brand, and a source of tourists passing through to go to the mountains. Most cities would envy the kind of brand identity we have, which is eminently marketable.

I hope while pushing more arts we don't end up trying to bury our old image.

[brentwood]

About the Stampede as culture. I know it is totally uncool for all the hipsters out there but really this "cowboy culture" thing is big. It covers everything from sport to music, art to poetry, literature to food, movies to a way of life and attitude. I wish the Stampede would focus on these aspects a little bit more rather than the midway, commercial exhibits and casino. I know when I hit the grounds, the first place I go is the Western Showcase with the western art (which is far from just cowboy stuff, by the way) and a little cowboy poetry (quite clever actually). And I am not even a big western fan, I just appreciate the diversity.

And for those that think Calgary lacks vision...well it took a bit of vision from the Big 4 to start the whole deal in the first place. And for a more recent example, how about the Southern family and Spruce Meadows. Again, some pretty amazing vision. Turning a somewhat elitist sport into a family event and there is certainly a culture surrounding it. These two examples are fairly unique events apart from the standard folk fest, music fest, film festival circuit that every city has to varying degrees.

Really with the money in Calgary and the increasing diversity it is only a matter of time before we start to see some great things.

As for the high rents which make it difficult for the struggling artists etc. well the reality is a lot of these people are pushed out into areas surrounding Calgary...ie Canmore, Banff, Okotoks and Cochrane. It is an unfortunate part of a strong economy.

[Boris2k7]

As for the high rents which make it difficult for the struggling artists etc. well the reality is a lot of these people are pushed out into areas surrounding Calgary...ie Canmore, Banff, Okotoks and Cochrane. It is an unfortunate part of a strong economy.

If I was an artist and I had a choice between one outlying suburb/town or another... I'd just move to another metropolitan area entirely. And frankly, that's what a lot of artists do.

Your choices are pretty limited if you aren't into the cowboy scene.

Personally, one of the first things I do when visiting another city (and I almost exclusively travel to other cities... I just don't do the nature thing) is to go to get tickets for their galleries and museums.

[brentwood]

My point was that although I am not into the cowboy scene I can appreciate and respect the lifestyle. Other cities often do not have much if you are not into certain cultural genres.

The communities surrounding Calgary really have to be considered part of Calgary and its art scene. Labelling the artist community in Southern Alberta as just into the cowboy scene is a real oversimplification.

As an example of interesting things happening just this week...the opening of the new mosque in northeast Calgary. I am not a muslim but I find it intriguing how the community raised the funds and I would be interested in taking a look. There is plenty outside the cowboy scene if people are inquisitive enough.

[brentwood]

I used to enjoy galleries and museums more when I was younger. As I became more adventerous and travelled farther afield, the museums became less and less interesting. I mean after you have seen Angkor Wat in person, looking at Khmer statues that have probably been poached, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art just does not cut it anymore. The point is it is better to go to the source of the culture or art rather than a place that collects it.

[Boris2k7]

That isn't necessarily true. There are simply many things that you cannot go to the "source" to see. For example, the original works of French Impressionist artists, which I saw last year first at the Art Gallery of Vancouver and then at the National Art Gallery. Similarly, I was at a Titanic Exhibit at the Royal B.C. Museum that the Glenbow would probably be too small for. Another thing to note is that in all three of these cases, the buildings and the plazas around them become destination points within the urban fabric.

In some cases, people like Richard Florida go a little to far in promoting the "Creative Class," but then neglecting the high arts because they are too "elitist" or "trendy" isn't a good thing either.

[Crazy4Calgary]

I'll be the first to admit Calgary has ignored the arts/culture scene in the past...but again thats the past! I've been quite blown away by all the major culture/art announcements & events we've had this year...From simple pieces like the Upside Down Church, The Arriva Scribble, the yet to be announced piece at the Bow and even those hiddeous flags on the Centre Street bridge...Lets also not forget the HUGE events like Virgin Fest, Sled Island, CIFF etc and also the fact we have a bid in for the National Portrait Gallery... I think the problem here is people figure this should just happen overnight but it won't! I also think its quite pathetic for people from other cities to come into our Calgary forum and trash our scene...They have no real taste as to what Calgary offers and they cannot witness firsthand the changes that are happening in the city. Why does everything have to be a effin' competion on here??

[ILikeDogs]

Could you please give an example in Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg that is an example of this, because I am at a loss. And why are you arbitrarily excluding Flames Central, who despite having tasteless decor, has done an excellent job of bringing shows in. I agree, we need a large ballroom type space in the inner city, but Mac Hall's location, in the mean time, does not negate it's existance, or the fact it is well used. (I agree, it sucks, but it's not keeping bands away from Calgary.) You seem to have very rigid criteria for "what counts."

Toronto-The Government, Lee's Palace, the Dakota Tavern, Rivioli, The Horseshoe Tavern, the Phoenix, Molson amplitheater just off the top of my head.

Vancouver-The Commodore Ball Room, Richards on Richards. the media club just the ones I've been to.

Winnipeg-I believe it's also called the Phoenix (many years since I was there last) but they do have at least one downtown.


maybe I have it wrong in terms of Flames Central. The reason why I would exclude Flames Central is because first and foremost it is a sports bar, secondly a restaurant, and then probably a place to go see a band. Having not lived in Calgary for a few years, it seems to me there was a hole left in the music scene when the Republik closed, has it ever been filled? Is the Republik open again? Cowboys was able to handle these sorts of events, I'd assume they will be able to again.

[jeffwhit]

Which of these is the 2000 seater?

We have the grand, hi-fi, underground/warehouse, broken city, soda, the Marquee Room, and the return of the Republik, (the space at Victoria's,) and sadly, until recently, the late great Bar Named Sue.

This is a city less than half the size of Vancouver.

Plus for the Bigtime**/meathead crowd - the new coyboys, the whiskey, tequila.

**I apologize in advance.

[Wooster]

Flames Central has become the primary mid sized concert venue in Calgary. It is booked really frequently. It is the Palace Theatre after all, a great concert venue in a great location. Here's the link to there list of upcoming concerts, which includes among others Metric (perfect kind of place to see a band like that). Seems to be taking over concerts that might have gone to Mac Hall.

http://www.flamescentral.com/concerts.php

And yes, the Republik is back. I remember it hosted a bunch of Juno week concerts. I suppose Broken City kind of replaces the Night Gallery for that size of venue. I miss the Night Gallery for night life.

[freeweed]

The communities surrounding Calgary really have to be considered part of Calgary and its art scene. Labelling the artist community in Southern Alberta as just into the cowboy scene is a real oversimplification.

No kidding. I challenge anyone who says that the Calgary area is only about cowboys, to try visiting Banff sometime. The place is practically a mecca for outdoors painting, photography, and sculpture. Canmore and Cochrane also have their contingent. And it's usually nothing to do with cowboys. That being said, the cowboy component does add a bit of charm to it.

I'm really starting to wonder if many folks in this forum have ever been out of the concrete jungle, at all. :shrug: Well, at least we've narrowed it down to only art galleries and medium sized concerts that Calgary is lacking.

[Boris2k7]

I challenge anyone who says that the Calgary area is only about cowboys, to try visiting Banff sometime.

I'm really starting to wonder if many folks in this forum have ever been out of the concrete jungle, at all.

Why should Banff be valid in a discussion on Calgary's arts scene in the first place? That's like trying to include arts development in Niagara Falls as part of the Toronto Arts Scene.

To people such as myself who make it out to Banff rarely, it's so distant that it's not even worth mentioning. Canmore is in the same boat.

Not to say that these places don't have their particular merits. Just saying that I think they have little to do with Calgary's own arts scene.

[freeweed]

Why should Banff be valid in a discussion on Calgary's arts scene in the first place?

Because no city exists in pure isolation by itself? Like it or not, Banff is an extended part of Calgary's cultural scene. A huge one at that.

Sure, if you only venture 5 minutes from home, it's irrelevant. But you're missing out on one hell of a big world if that's all you ever see.

And yes, I consider Niagara part of the Toronto region. Maybe I'm insane that way, but most tourists (and locals) do too. It's all a part of the "local" experience. Not something that your average Torontonian experiences every day, but certainly highly influential. Vancouver still has fresh fruit stands everywhere, but I'm pretty sure I've never seen an orchard in downtown Van.

[mersar]

-----------------------------------------------------------------
CITYBEAT - CITY OF CALGARY PRESS RELEASE
-----------------------------------------------------------------


Alderman Druh Farrell, Calgary Transit and the Public Art Program/Civic Art Collection will today unveil one of two new sculptures that will be located on the 7th Avenue Transit corridor as part of the city’s downtown beautification initiative and 7th Avenue LRT refurbishment project.

7th Avenue is located near the geographic centre of downtown Calgary and has functioned for many years as the central east -west spine for Calgary Transit service.


I figured thats what those things were, I spotted one sitting on the corner of 7th and 9th on Monday wrapped up.

[Big Sky]

You would think with all of the money we have in this province, that would be the case. I like your idea of the endowment fund. :tup:

... trying to move the arts and cultural discussion over to this thread.

I really think that Alberta ought to use its wealth to its advantage in cultivating strong cultural activity. It really should be thought of not only as part of improving quality of life, but also as an economic development and diversification plan. Creative industries should become a key cog in Alberta's economy. It creates jobs, has different multiplier effects in the economy in areas like tourism. Beyond that, it has a huge intrinsic value.

I still stand behind my idea that surplus money should go to a large cultural endowment that would help make cultural institutions financially independent. Something like a $1 billion endowment.

Also adjusting tax laws to encourage more donations from Alberta's substantial corporate community.

[Sir.Humphrey.Appleby]

You would think with all of the money we have in this province, that would be the case. I like your idea of the endowment fund. :tup:

It was one of the many Alberta Liberal Party policy proposals, however at $500 million not a billion. The revenue of a $500 million dollar fund was about double the current budgetary supports if my mind serves me well.

[mersar]

One of the new pieces of public art on 7th avenue:
http://www.compscience.info/public/images/2008/transitart-jul2-1.jpg

[Wooster]

^ Not a particularly interesting or innovative piece, but who besides Stephen Colbert doesn't love Bears?

[mersar]

Heres the full media release on the new art:

-----------------------------------------------------------------
CITYBEAT - CITY OF CALGARY PRESS RELEASE
-----------------------------------------------------------------


Alderman Druh Farrell, Calgary Transit and the Public Art Program/Civic Art Collection today unveiled two new bronze bear sculptures located on the 7th Avenue Transit corridor.

The sculptures, located on 7th Avenue at 3rd Street East and 9th Street West, add a playful feel to the prominent transit corridor and are part of The City of Calgary’s goal to enhance and beautify Downtown Calgary.

“As part of the 7th Avenue LRT Refurbishment and Beautification project, this is a positive step towards having a more visually-appealing, pedestrian-friendly transit corridor,” states Alderman Farrell. “These are stunning pieces of art and will certainly add to the beauty of our city.”

Created by Canadian artist Leo Mol, the “Playful Cubs” sculpture measures 28” h x 57” w x 36”d and the “Twin Bears” sculpture measures 54” h x 65” w x 51” d. Mol is the only Canadian artist inducted into the National Sculpture Society of America and has carried out commissions of world figures such as Pope John Paul II, Dwight D. Eisenhower and John Diefenbaker. Mol’s work can be found in permanent collections around the world. He was awarded the Order of Manitoba and was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.

“Leo Mol is no longer actively producing work so we are pleased to be able to acquire these pieces,” says Sheila Perry, superintendent of The City of Calgary's Public Art Program. “He is one of Canada’s most prominent realist
sculptors and the addition of these sculptures into The City of Calgary’s Civic Art Collection will enable Calgarians to experience the work of this outstanding Canadian artist on their daily commute.”

7th Avenue is located near the geographic centre of Downtown Calgary and has functioned for many years as the central east-west spine for transit services.

I'll have to see if I can grab a shot of the other on my way down to the beltline offices tomorrow.

[freeweed]

There are no bears in Calgary itself!

[CorporateWhore]

it sort of feels like those bears are the animal versions of these guys:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/83/257505140_61de1cdfdf.jpg

[Boris2k7]

One of the new pieces of public art on 7th avenue:
http://www.compscience.info/public/images/2008/transitart-jul2-1.jpg

I just saw this today while doing my stroll. And I hadn't looked at this thread since my last comments, so it was a bit of a surprise.

Don't really think much of it though... there isn't much detail in the carving, and the stone base just looks plain awkward (not to mention that there isn't much space to move around it in the first place).


On a different note, I'm looking forward to the Water Sculpture designed for The Bow by Jaume Plensa. It's supposed to be revealed by the end of 2008.

[freeweed]

:previous: There's another, similar bear sculpture at the other end of 7th, by City Hall. I just noticed it last week.

Some art is better than no art, but they're pretty bland and do a better job at obstructing the sidewalk than anything else. They're almost as bad as those ubiquitous newspaper boxes.

[Wooster]

Hopefully they'll find a better location as part of the rejuvination of the streetscape on 7th ave, perhaps integrated into a planter or something. It just seems plopped there for the moment.

[Sir.Humphrey.Appleby]

One visionary + 21 days + 650 works of art = a Big Gift for Calgary




MARSHA LEDERMAN
Globe and Mail Update (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080726.wxgift26/BNStory/Entertainment/home)
July 26, 2008 at 8:28 AM EDT

CALGARY — On Dec. 10, 2007, Jeffrey Spalding began a new job at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary, where he was once the art curator. This time he would be running the place as president and CEO.
That same day, Spalding was contacted by several people offering donations to the Glenbow's collection. The calls kept coming from collectors, artists and philanthropists. Over the course of 21 days at the height of the holiday season, 70 separate donors promised the museum more than 650 works of art valued at more than $2-million.
"I was overwhelmed," Spalding said during an interview in his museum office this week. "I knew something would happen, but I think it was a bit surprising, to say the least, that it would be to this degree."
Among the donations: a six-foot fibreglass green soldier created by Douglas Coupland; Food and Shelter by celebrated native Canadian artist Carl Beam; and a four-panel work, Bones, by Attila Richard Lukacs, whose collectors include Sir Elton John.
Within three or four days of his arrival, Spalding had an idea: an exhibition that would showcase the donated works.
He made it happen - The Big Gift opens to the public at the Glenbow today. It is the third, and largest, of three Big Gift components, two of which opened earlier this summer at the Nickle Arts Museum at the University of Calgary, and at the Illingworth Kerr Gallery (IKG) at the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD).
Spalding has worked as a director and curator at several institutions (most recently at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia) and is an artist himself. His connections in Canadian art are enviable, and his return to Calgary (he left in a huff in 1982 after the Glenbow cancelled a Gerhard Richter show) was seen as both an indication of a cultural explosion accompanying the city's economic boom, and a promise that his presence would push forward an arts agenda.
"Jeffrey is both a confirmation and a catalyst," says Christine Sowiak, curator of art at the Nickle. "He has a belief in Calgary as a real centre for arts and for big things."
The involvement of the Nickle and IKG was as much about promoting a spirit of collaboration within the city's tightly knit arts community as it was about finding the space to display as many of the works as possible.
"You want to say thanks as quickly as you can and as big as you can, because that's a pretty phenomenal outpouring. And the best way to do that is to use the work," says Sowiak.
"Of course, I thought it would be next year," she adds with a laugh, "but it was perfect to have it done for this year and have it so immediate and fresh."
The three-pronged exhibition came together with lightning speed. The first major collaborative meeting was held at the Glenbow in March, and the first part of the show was installed at the Nickle in June.
"If you think you can do it, don't wait two years," says IKG director/curator Wayne Baerwaldt. "Now's the time you should have people enthused about contemporary culture here."
The Glenbow portion of the exhibition features donated works by Canadian artists such as Ed Burtynsky, Ken Lum and Kim Adams, and international artists including David Hockney and Marcel van Eeden. Quyen Hoang, the Glenbow's art curator, says she wanted to reflect the diversity of both the gifts and the donors - as well as present some of the merging ideas and issues explored in the works. For example, she has installed Nils Udo's Red Boy in Forest - a photographic exploration of utopia - next to Dan Kopp's apocalyptic-feeling work, Orange Divide.
At the IKG, Baerwaldt has created a single-room exhibition of just over 40 works that came primarily from two Toronto donors and also borrowed heavily from the Glenbow's historical collection. The show offers the unlikely combination of a Paul P. portrait and a Robert Bateman bird painting hung next to a Lynne Cohen photograph.
"I wanted to be very playful, especially for the students here," Baerwaldt said this week at the gallery on ACAD's campus. "I wanted [them] to know there are other ways of putting together a show."
At the Nickle, only the East Gallery portion of the show will continue through the summer. Consisting wholly of works by Alberta artist Peter von Tiesenhausen, the gallery is dominated by his massive (approximately 18 metres long by four metres high) Wall of Water - a pending acquisition tied to a number of other donated works by the same artist.
"I knew from the description on paper exactly where it should go and that I wanted it in the show, because it's the kind of piece that's kind of made for our space," Sowiak said this week.
The Nickle was given the first pick, so Sowiak studied the 80-plus-page list of Glenbow donations and then spent time hunting through the vault. "It was just really fun going shopping with a list of 650 works," she says. "It was like being given a grocery cart and told 'okay you have five minutes to spend $10,000 in this store.'"
While the volume of donations may be "stunning" as several of those involved describe it, it is not entirely a surprise to anyone who has followed Spalding's career. He has made it a goal to increase the collections at the various institutions where he has worked. Take the University of Lethbridge Art Gallery: when Spalding arrived in 1982, the collection totalled just over 200 works. When he left in 1999, it had increased to 13,000.
"I actually don't collect art," he says. "I collect collectors." Spalding also collects artists. Shortly after his appointment at the Glenbow, he sent out an e-mail to artists, soliciting donations. Among those who responded was Richard Prince. The Vancouver artist offered his installation Northern Lights - Magic Lantern. "If artists have work that they want to be seen, they do what they can to make sure that others can see it," Prince says. "You don't make work to put it in the closet."
Beyond thanking the donors for their gifts and offering a big gift to the city of Calgary, this show is also very much about sending a signal: the Glenbow is serious about collecting and exhibiting visual art, and Spalding has proposed a satellite location in which to do that.
"I would do anything to help Jeffrey make the Glenbow part of the [contemporary art] community again," says Baerwaldt. "A lot of us wanted to make sure that we could do something to support this idea that contemporary art is on the agenda again."
The gift keeps getting bigger. By this week, the number of donations accepted by the Glenbow (not every offer is approved) has reached more than 920, and the museum will consider another 50 or 60 offers at its next meeting in September. "Every day feels like Christmas," Spalding says.
"I think that people have waited for a long time to see Calgary, which is one of our major cities, participate equally with other major cities in the country," he adds. "So in a sense I think the floodgates opened and it really is about confirming the obvious: Calgary is a centre that matters to the country."
The Big Gift is on at the Glenbow Museum until Sept. 14, at the Illingworth Kerr Gallery until Aug. 30 and at the Nickle Arts Museum (East Gallery portion only) until Sept. 27.



Big things happening at the Glenbow!

[Jimby]

That is great news about the Glenbow. Now all they need is a bigger and better building to properly display more of their collections.

[Wooster]

Fringe takes off at last
Calgary Herald
Published: Tuesday, August 12, 2008

One successful Calgary Fringe Festival may not be be a cultural revolution, but it's still worth a hurrah. It was good for new artists, brought trade to Inglewood merchants, and was 10 rich days of entertainment for theatre lovers.

This year's success came after several false takeoffs. While Edmonton's Fringe has been popular for decades, makeshift theatres remained dark in Calgary until 2000, when Loose Moose Theatre launched a scaled-down version at Inglewood's Garry Theatre. It failed to launch.

It was revived in 2006 at the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts, but was too corporate. This year's relaunch back in Inglewood better captured the essence of neighbourhood festivals. With 25 plays on five makeshift stages, all within a four-block radius, young artists and hundreds of patrons mingled with local residents and people from across the city.

Surprisingly, some of the latter had never been to Inglewood. Local restaurants, shops and pubs were ecstatic about the business the Fringe brought to their doors, introducing new people to an old, re-emerging neighbourhood.

Artists too, find it hard to afford living in Calgary after college graduation. The Fringe is therefore an important opportunity for them, in which they get to perform -- and keep 100 per cent of the profits.

True, more people probably attended the Tom Petty concert at the Saddledome Monday night than the Fringe's total attendance of about 10,000 people.

Still, the small theatres were full, and the neighbourhood was bustling. It was good to see, and more would be better.


© The Calgary Herald 2008

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=92704196-4786-4a93-b598-78e6cdb6046d

[Calgarian]

Any word on whether or not that church art piece was ever put up in Calgary?

[Bigtime]

I'm guessing it is here, but they haven't come up with a place to put it yet.

[Wooster]

City prepares to loosen reins on downtown street buskers
Richard Cuthbertson, Calgary Herald
Published: Friday, August 15, 2008

The reins restricting buskers will be loosened next week as a pilot project begins urging performers to take to Calgary streets.

Beginning Wednesday, buskers will be able to sing, dance and juggle downtown without being restricted to two designated "busk stops" or having to obtain permits.

"There's no fee, there's no permit, there's no ticket, there's no policy," said Beth Gignac, the city's manager of arts and culture. "What we're doing is asking buskers to follow three simple rules."

Those rules are: no juggling sharp objects or anything flammable or on fire; no amplifiers; and no staying in one spot for longer than an hour.

"If it's a good spot for you, it'll be a good spot for another busker, and let's share the wealth," Gignac said.

The project, to last six months, will be launched Wednesday and Thursday with buskers being showcased at Olympic Plaza. That event will also be a forum, Gignac said, to encourage dialogue between buskers, the city and downtown agencies.

Pulling the restrictions is good news for street performers, said Karen Sim, a busker who is a violinist and singer.

"It gives us the opportunity to branch out and use all of Calgary as a showcase for Calgary talent," she said. "That, in of itself, makes the Calgary downtown core accessible to a more family-oriented audience."

Sim has been busking for about 10 years. She can't remember a time when there weren't restrictions.

"There's a full spectrum of what constitutes street performance and street culture," Sim said. "I think it's important to make that distinction between the culture of performance in Calgary and the bad reputation that busking has received in the past in so far as it's another form of begging or solicitation."

Gignac said that from her understanding, busking was originally banned over concerns people weren't really performing, but instead panhandling.

"There was, I think, some misunderstandings in terms of what it meant to be a busker," she said. "One of the things that we've done is we've provided ourselves with a lot of education opportunities, and we understand, I think, a little more clearly what it is that a busker is, and what in fact they can do."

rcuthbertson@theherald.canwest.com

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=a0f0c988-237b-42f9-a817-0e03d3625f9e

[jeffwhit]

^^This is good news. I know literally dozens of people who would busk but certainly can't be bothered to attain a stupid permit to do so, since they're not really wanting to do it for the money

I suppose no one will be upset if I steal the "Busk Stop Rules and Conditions" sign from the "Busk Stops" in Eau Claire and Olympic Plaza. If you haven't taken the time to notice these, please do, they embody everything that is wrong and disappointing about Calgary.

[O-tacular]

Know I joined in late on the discussion, but that sculpture of the 2 bears is awful! Really, it exemplifies this city's lack of class and fear of innovation. As a province that prides itself on an entrepreneurial spirit and boundary pushing work ethic we really have no clue when it comes to the arts.

I just arrived back home yesterday from Montreal and was embarassed once I saw the tacky panorama style tourist adverts by the baggage claim. (Manakins dressed in historical attire / horse and wagons / cowboys and indians / cheesy animal sculptures).

It seems like the people who fund the arts development here are the accountants and CEO's who only view things from the bottom line (ex: the changes to the Bow to add extra office space). Art is seen as needing to fulfill a function to justify itself. And it seems as though what is most often chosen is the work that is the most status quo, and least likely to offend anyone.

The fact that Ald. Druh Farrell approves of the beaqr sculpture disappoints me because I thought she at least had more of a clue.

[O-tacular]

Now that my rant is complete I would like to say though, that I love the new Arriva sculpture by Micah. Torode is one of the few in this city with a good head on his shoulders.

Hopefully that new Jaume Plensa sculpture turns out alright and isn't edited down to the most palatable form for the masses.

[Wooster]

Buskers complain pilot project falls short on easing restrictions
City monitors response to revamped rules
Tamara Gignac, Calgary Herald
Published: Thursday, August 21, 2008

On the first day of a pilot project to ease restrictions for downtown buskers, some local jugglers, musicians and mimes say they still face too many rules compared to street entertainers in other major cities.

Buskers, beginning Wednesday, could perform on sidewalks from the Beltline to Prince's Island Park and 14th Street S.W. to City Hall without being limited to designated "busk stops" or having to obtain permits.

The only rules are no juggling dangerous or flammable objects, no amplifiers and performers are not allowed to stay in one spot for longer than an hour.

Janet Jessiman of the Downtown Calgary Association called the project -- slated to run for six months -- a boost to the city's culture and arts community.

"Buskers bring life and entertainment to the people. We've started a new trend with no licences . . . let's keep things going that way," she said, speaking Wednesday with buskers at a public forum at Olympic Plaza.

But some -- like fire-eater Stephanie Norn, say the restrictions are still too rigid.

Norn, a professionally trained circus performer, vehemently agrees that rules should exist to prevent novice entertainers from handling dangerous objects like knives and swords on city streets. But she points to European cities, where qualified fire manipulators routinely busk for money in public venues.

"If we just set a blanket statement that says, 'No, you perform with fire, therefore you're not allowed,' then we are going to miss a richness and diversity of performers, the kind of thing that is a staple in other cities," said Norn.

Others at the forum raised questions about the no-amplification rule, which they say makes it difficult for musicians with acoustic guitars and other performers to be heard at larger venues such as Prince's Island Park.

Beth Gignac, the city's manager of arts and culture, said the pilot project is a work in progress, and feedback from buskers will be evaluated on a monthly basis.

As an example, she points to the amplification restriction, which some cities have dealt with by requiring performers to keep noise below an acceptable decibel. "We want to figure out if there's a way for us to have amplified sound and where those places could be," said Gignac.

"Because we've opened this up to the broader downtown, some people are saying they're OK with it, some people are saying they're not."

Karen Sim, a violinist and singer who has performed outdoors in Calgary for a decade, acknowledges the restrictions may not be perfect for everyone, but hopes the rules will evolve as people grow more accustomed to seeing performers on downtown streets.

"A lot of parallels have been drawn between busking and panhandling -- the idea that we're out to make a buck and don't really care how we do it," she said.

"But we're out here for myriad reasons. Calgary is our home and we have a chance to share what we do and who we are."

tgignac@theherald.canwest.com

© The Calgary Herald 2008

===============================

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/city/story.html?id=2f5ff092-e5a8-4d3c-82c5-673d521ac2e2

[davee930]

It seems like the city is setting these rules just because they can.

[bea]

Here's a good article on public art

http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-08-27/art/hit-it-big-with-your-art-at-burning-man/

[O-tacular]

I would love to see a work by David Cerny go up here.

Here's an example of his work:

http://http://www.davidcerny.cz/startEN.html

[jeffwhit]

^^ Seems to be some sort of minimalist.

[defaultuser]

^i'm thinking john cage's 4'33" would be a perfect musical companion

[O-tacular]

Here's a proper photo of the David Cerny fountain I was trying to show before. It's called metalmorphosis and it kinda has the same idea as that cool proposed dynamic tower in Dubai.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1189/1430230503_1ac67b686d.jpg?v=0

He's also done some cool giant babies.

[Wooster]

I like it.

The creepy babies climbing up that tower on the other hand...

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_telJVVYvGRc/RubAy22avvI/AAAAAAAABQ4/UdoHLNHqVh0/P1010284.JPG

http://www.czech.cz/pic.aspx?id=32200&lang=cs-CZ

[O-tacular]

Ah c'mon Josh! Those babies are brilliant! They transform that hideous soviet-era radio tower into something fantastical and surreal. The residents of Prague have excellent taste IMO.

[Wooster]

They're definitely interesting. They just creep me out, especially the faces.

Anyway, I'd welcome his work in Calgary.

[Bigtime]

I'm crossposting myself from the Calgary thread:

Landing in Calgary

Nancy Tousley
Calgary Herald


Friday, September 05, 2008

CALGARY - The location of Dennis Oppenheim's Device to Root out Evil and the partnership that made it possible were dramatically announced today as the monumental sculpture of a six-metre-tall church rolled down 24th Avenue S.W. on a long flatbed truck.

The Glenbow Museum and the Torode Group of Companies are partners in relocating the upside down church from Vancouver to Calgary and its new home in Ramsay, one of the city's oldest and most artistic neighbourhoods.

The sculpture's installation, which moves Calgary another step closer to becoming a major centre for art, began soon after the truck reached the site, and the two parts of the work were lifted up and into position by crane.

On long-term loan to the Glenbow, Device to Root out Evil has been sited in a leafy park-like setting on the west side of the Dominion Bridge building in Ramsay Exchange, Torode's billion-dollar redevelopment of the 21-acre industrial land for mixed residential and retail use. The park has been landscaped with trees and shrubs and provides benches to sit on for viewers of the artwork.

Torode's gift to the Glenbow in providing a site for the work is estimated at about $100,000.
Made of steel, aluminum and red Venetian glass, Device to Root out Evil represents a country church that appears to have been lifted up and thrust downward with such force that its steeple sticks in the ground and holds the rest of the building aloft.

The inverse position of the church has been interpreted as blasphemous by some viewers and this has given the work a reputation for being provocative. The artist has said he did not have this intention in mind when he made the work.

The sculpture, which debuted at the 1997 Venice Biennale, arrived in Canada for the Vancouver International Sculpture Biennial in 2005. It was purchased for $300,000 the following year by the Benefic Foundation, a group of lawyers that specializes in philanthropy, and sited in Harbour Green Park.

After condo residents in the waterfront area complained that the sculpture blocked their view of Coal Harbour, and others argued it was blasphemous, Vancouver's art in the parks coordinator called for its removal.

Glenbow president Jeffrey Spalding then secured a five-year loan from the Benefic Foundation to bring the work to Calgary and found a partner in John Torode.

Dennis Oppenheim, who is in Korea to participate in the Bufan Biennale, is an internationally famous American artist whose outdoor sculpture is found in major cities around the world. He was awarded two commissions for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, one in Beijing and one in Hong Kong. ntousley@theherald.canwest.com

Link (http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=96e2df30-4299-4c8a-8453-91e192d53287)

[Wooster]

^ I think a very suitable location for it. Good for Torode. He's really gung ho on public art.

[DizzyEdge]

I initially read that as "composting myself"