Art

[mersar]

Originally Posted by goodlookin'

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.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[The Chemist]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[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!

[lubicon]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

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

[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]

Originally Posted by ILikeDogs

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]

Originally Posted by ILikeDogs

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]

Originally Posted by josh white

... 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.

[MalcolmTucker]

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, we have cities like Salt Lake, Memphis, Buffalo, Rochester.

For Europe, you can look for yourself, 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]

Originally Posted by brentwood

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.