Edmonton homeless memorial

Rogie · #1 Posted **Nov 29, 2011, 6:28 PM**

Something I wanted to pass on from my brother-in-law, Ritchie Velthius, a well-regarded sculptor in the city. A homeless memorial is being unveiled in Edmonton on Thursday. I can't think of any other art project of its kind.

You are invited
to honour the lives of our friends....
Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness has supported the creation of a sculpture intended as a tribute to the lives of people who are often invisible and forgotten and as a challenge to all Edmontonians to consider what part each can play in the work to ensure Homes for All.
The sculpture is located in a small park at 100 Street and 103A Avenue, just north of City Hall. The dedication event will take place in the City Room at City Hall at 12:15 PM on Thursday, December 1.
The program will include music by Edmonton singer Terry Morrison as well as a chance to hear from the sculptors and artists.
The project was funded by Edmonton Arts Council. Photos of the process of developing the work and more information about it can be found at www.ecohh.ca

Albicaulis · #2 Posted **Nov 29, 2011, 8:08 PM**

Personally, if I were homless I'd rather see the money go to social housing than a monument to my plight.

SHOFEAR · #3 Posted **Nov 29, 2011, 8:31 PM**

I've managed to get a sneak peak of this statue.

source inhabitat.com

adam-machiavelli · #4 Posted **Nov 30, 2011, 2:11 AM**

The above two posts were made by insensitive people with no empathy.

Albicaulis · #5 Posted **Nov 30, 2011, 6:21 PM**

^ (disagreement is not insensitivity)

The statue was $36,000; and although this was already earmarked for public arts projects, I still think it sends the wrong message.

Would we build a monument to the jobless when their is high unemployment? Or would we rather see the money spent on support and training?

Do we build a monument to homlessness when there are over 3,000 homeless in edmonton? Or do we find a creative way to make that 36k work; perhaps using it to help fund arts by homeless/recovering people in Edmonton.

This isnt a monument to a disaster, leader or historical event, but to a completely preventable and reversible ill of society. We should work to end homelessness first; then I would support such a monument.

Coldrsx · #6 Posted **Nov 30, 2011, 9:31 PM**

I like the idea of a memorial.

Memorials are about awareness, reflection, understanding, recognition.

This will do that.

Black Star · #7 Posted **Dec 1, 2011, 4:02 AM**

Memorials are good. How bout 36k towards memorial housing!! I personally find it ridiculous.

Xelebes · #8 Posted **Dec 1, 2011, 4:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLACK STAR

Memorials are good. How bout 36k towards memorial housing!! I personally find it ridiculous.

36 000 doesn't get you much for housing.

Albicaulis · #9 Posted **Dec 1, 2011, 3:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

I like the idea of a memorial.

Memorials are about awareness, reflection, understanding, recognition.

This will do that.

Upper middle-class thinking at its finest.

Coldrsx · #10 Posted **Dec 1, 2011, 4:02 PM**

Middle middle class thank you very much.

s211 · #11 Posted **Dec 1, 2011, 4:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xelebes

36 000 doesn't get you much for housing.

Yeah. In Vancouver, we've had at least two social housing projects cost over $600K a unit. Yes, you read correctly: $600K. That's obscene, because they could buy existing apartment buildings at 1/3 to 1/2 that cost all day long.

Black Star · #12 Posted **Dec 1, 2011, 4:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xelebes

36 000 doesn't get you much for housing.

Really! A statue does far less son.

Rogie · #13 Posted **Dec 2, 2011, 7:16 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLACK STAR

Really! A statue does far less son.

Actually, a statue can do a lot. Look at the AIDS memorial in SF and how much awareness that has brought to the disease.

Now, I'm biased in this debate, but art is meant to get people reflecting on society, on themselves. If this statue in a high-profile location gets just a few people thinking about those who are normally invisible in our community... so much the better.

dleung · #14 Posted **Dec 2, 2011, 7:50 AM**

I can't believe something this silly didn't happen in Vancouver already.

Drynagolt · #15 Posted **Dec 2, 2011, 6:08 PM**

$40G homeless statue sets tongues wagging
By JASMINE FRANKLIN, QMI AGENCY
Last Updated: December 1, 2011 9:49pm
http://www.lfpress.com/news/canada/2.../19049801.html

EDMONTON — The homeless community says a new $40,000 statue in Alberta to commemorate those on the streets is a nice gesture, but it won't solve their problems.

Drynagolt · #16 Posted **Dec 2, 2011, 6:11 PM**

This article actually has a picture of it. I'm impressed. Better than what I imagined.

Honouring Edmonton's homeless 48

BY MICHELLE THOMPSON ,CITY HALL BUREAU
FIRST POSTED: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2011 07:42 AM MST | UPDATED: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2011 07:48 AM MST
http://www.edmontonsun.com/2011/12/0...ntons-homeless

Honouring the homeless is the motivation behind the city's latest piece of public art.

The Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness has erected a $40,000 statue downtown that's meant to commemorate lives lost on the streets

Calgarian · #17 Posted **Dec 2, 2011, 9:53 PM**

Why is there a memorial for homelessness, when there are actual homeless people on the street? shouldn't the guy in tattered clothing pushing a shopping cart full of bottles make you aware?

Rogie · #18 Posted **Dec 3, 2011, 3:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Why is there a memorial for homelessness, when there are actual homeless people on the street? shouldn't the guy in tattered clothing pushing a shopping cart full of bottles make you aware?

In my experience, it's extremely easy to ignore (or not even see) that guy. And I live in East Vancouver, so I'm surrounded by homeless people.