All public art & architecture in Calgary goes through a series of phases:
Phase 1: "It costs WHAT!? For THAT!?" Everyone complains about how much the art or building is going to cost, and how ugly it is. This phase usually lasts through the entire construction process, and is often combined with moaning about how long its taking, and the upheaval construction is causing.
Phase 2: "Oohhhh..." Someone from outside the city places value on the art or architecture. A publication or expert makes the claim that it is a great example of such-and-so, or it wins some kind of award.
Phase 3: "WORLD. CLASS. CITY." Calgarians become fiercely proud and defensive of the structure or art, relentlessly pointing to the external value placed on it as further evidence of Calgary's being underrated globally and its superiority to Edmonton / other Canadian city.
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