Cool New Public Art Piece in SW

[chalms04]

Originally Posted by GGG

The only controversy is saying it is in the SW and putting it in the middle of latteville. I was excited that the burbs were scoring some sweet art.

Nah, the 1% for us yop gobblers usually goes to overpass beautification.

[sun]

Oh man, depending on material, this looks like it could be potentially a lot of fun for skateboarders/bmxers.

[Daradon]

The arch, bean whatever it's called is saaaa-WEET!

The hoop, completely horrible though, and I think we all agree that.

However it doesn't mean that the 1% rule itself is bad, I still think it's a good rule. 1% isn't to much to bring art to a city and make it more livable.

Your going to get a dud every once in a while. If we want to prevent this in the future, maybe just get a better committee picking the stuff.

I also wouldn't be against involving the public to a certain extent, but if you end up using too much of that money just to get people's opinions (as that can get pricey too) what's the point?

But the rule about 1%, I don't think it's a waste at all. I think it's smart in fact. Besides the intangible benefits, I think there's some real benefits too. Art beautifies spaces and increases values.

[RyZ]

In my layperson-ness, I cant fathom how something like this costs as much as a house. Does that figure include maintenance + power costs to run it? Is not just a frame and a skin with some electronics in it?

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Acey

My issue is that the 1% rule is extremely risky, it's fine when you get gems like this but it doesn't excuse the fact that it was half a million dollars down the drain with the blue ring.

It doesn't need to be excused. Investing in the arts isn't about ensuring the masses will like what you are funding but rather developing the culture/scene.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Mrs. Bunk will be on CTV Calgary's morning show talking about this project around 7:45

Very pro performance.

[Swift]

Originally Posted by RyZ

In my layperson-ness, I cant fathom how something like this costs as much as a house. Does that figure include maintenance + power costs to run it? Is not just a frame and a skin with some electronics in it?

Isn't that essentially what a house is?

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Addick

It doesn't need to be excused. Investing in the arts isn't about ensuring the masses will like what you are funding but rather developing the culture/scene.

Maybe I'm not culturally elite enough for you, but I haven't found anyone who likes the blue ring. And I hang with people who are pro 1% art policy/peace bridge etc. There is such a thing as bad art and design, and the blue ring fits that category.

[Nufy]

Grafitti "artists" are patiently waiting for this new canvas to be finished.

I say its tagged within two weeks of unveiling.

[Muta]

I like the 1% art rule for municipal projects.

Art is about personal interpretation, not about 'hating' and liking'. Why does everyone have to like municipal art, all the time, anyways? There was a time when everyone hated the Peace Bridge, and now it's a staple for within Calgary`s identity.

Hell, at the Sydney Opera House, the architect was run out of the country and never allowed back because people hated it so much. Now it's one of the most famous buildings in the world for all the right reasons.

People may hate the blue circle art piece (I'm not a fan of it), but hey - the alternative - doing without a program that deepens our cultural establishment and identity - is much, much less appealing.

One last thing, I like the international artists getting a chance to get these projects. I want the best ideas selected; not necessarily local ones. Although, locals are welcome to submit.

[tete]

I live nearby and have been watching it go up, I really like it and think it'll be a nice addition to this new park. I'm just thrilled that the city was able to get this greenspace from the CBE and keep it as a fairly open park with a good amount of grass (unlike the concrete monstrosity of Connaught park). Can't wait to use the park and to see my daughter's reaction to the sculpture (she's 2, anything the lights up different colours thrills her).

[Table 5]

Hopefully that park becomes a very active place for Beltline residents. It's a shame how Central Memorial has basically turned into a non-stop outdoor hobo convention.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Muta

People may hate the blue circle art piece (I'm not a fan of it), but hey - the alternative - doing without a program that deepens our cultural establishment and identity - is much, much less appealing.

This is a great example of a false dichotomy.

The alternative to doing something poorly isn't only not doing it at all. We could also select quality pieces and place them thoughtfully. This seems to be a great example of that, hopefully we see more projects like this and less outlandish light fixtures and overpass fish.

[fundmark19]

I walk by this everyday and was curious what it will look like. I can't wait to see it finished. That whole park transformation has been really well done I enjoy the modern looking picnic benches

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by tete

I live nearby and have been watching it go up, I really like it and think it'll be a nice addition to this new park. I'm just thrilled that the city was able to get this greenspace from the CBE and keep it as a fairly open park with a good amount of grass (unlike the concrete monstrosity of Connaught park). Can't wait to use the park and to see my daughter's reaction to the sculpture (she's 2, anything the lights up different colours thrills her).

Up until a few months ago I used to walk past this park every day. I'm actually quite disappointed with the design of the park and with the lack of green space that was allocated. The empty green space that once existed was a bit of a waste but during the warm/summer season there were always kids and adults in that green space. I saw lots of people playing frisbee or kicking a ball or playing catch. They have ruined the area now with that massive concrete/wood area covering most of the southern half.

[tete]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Up until a few months ago I used to walk past this park every day. I'm actually quite disappointed with the design of the park and with the lack of green space that was allocated. The empty green space that once existed was a bit of a waste but during the warm/summer season there were always kids and adults in that green space. I saw lots of people playing frisbee or kicking a ball or playing catch. They have ruined the area now with that massive concrete/wood area covering most of the southern half.

I totally understand, but I think it could have been much, much worse - they could have carved up the green space into 15 foot chunks of grass interspersed with concrete that would totally lose any good use of the place - at least now, there's still room for frisbee and bocce. I agree, not near as much as before, but I think it'll still get used.

[calumniate]

Classic example of google failing me here but where exactly is Barb Scott Park? I probably walk by it everyday..

edit - 12 Ave. and 9 St. S.W.. ahh, that park

[Addick]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Maybe I'm not culturally elite enough for you, but I haven't found anyone who likes the blue ring. And I hang with people who are pro 1% art policy/peace bridge etc. There is such a thing as bad art and design, and the blue ring fits that category.

It's not a matter of being culturally elite but rather a matter of not looking at it as 'Good or Bad'. I myself do not find the Blue Ring to be appealing but I accept that its creation was part of a constructive process where an artist provided an interpretation of what was asked. The product of this interpretation may not be appealing now, or even in the future, but that is something the artist, other artists and the public can learn from its installation/reception and then take away and apply in future pieces.

In the past, I'm confident that something you didn't like inspired you as much as something that you did like.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Mrs. Bunk will be on CTV Calgary's morning show talking about this project around 7:45

Will be a great thing for the Beltline.

Yeah, it does looks good, actually.

BTW, is Beltline paying all of its cost or is it being subsidized by all Calgary taxpayers? /just kidding/

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

BTW, is Beltline paying all of its cost or is it being subsidized by all Calgary taxpayers? /just kidding/

Yeah, they had to cancel the SW Ring Road to pay for this. Sorry.