Art
$2.25M public art sculpture coming to downtown Calgary
A $2.25-million public art piece is in the works for the grounds of Calgary’s expanded BMO Centre.
The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation and the Calgary Stampede announced Wednesday that the large-scale public artwork at the BMO Centre’s new plaza will be produced by U.K. artist Gerry Judah.
The steel sculpture is called Spirit of Water and will stand about 21 metres (70 feet) and weigh 50,800-kilograms (112,000 pounds).
The BMO Centre in Stampede Park is undergoing a major expansion, and is slated to open in time for Stampede in 2024. The convention centre will feature exhibition halls, a grand foyer and two massive ballrooms — about 50,000 and 20,000 square feet — which will become the biggest and second biggest in Alberta.
This installation will be a focal point of the BMO Centre’s outdoor plaza, set to be twice the size of Olympic Plaza. The Spirit of Water is being fabricated in the United Kingdom and will be shipped to Calgary and installed with the support of Heavy Industries.
Kate Thompson, president and CEO of the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC), said they had more than 200 artist proposals, and the final project was selected by a volunteer jury.
The budget was guided by the City of Calgary’s policy for funding, acquisition and management of public art in Calgary, and includes all fees, expenses, fabrication costs, delivery and installation.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said she thinks such pieces are an important step toward amplifying Calgary’s downtown cultural arts and entertainment identity.
“I think pieces like this are finally starting to demonstrate that if you want to be a city that people feel welcomed in, that people want to visit, that people are proud to live in, it requires the beauty of public art,” she said.
Judah has created many public artworks over his career, including large-scale pieces for festivals, museums and public realms in the U.K., United States, New Zealand and United Arab Emirates.
He said he was drawn to the project because of the dramatic space created by the BMO Centre.
“For me, that needed a very dramatic response. I wanted to make something that had an international and important statement. So I chose water as a central theme because of its enormous power and universality,” he said.
“It further remains as one of the most important elements of nature and one that continues to hold its importance, both as a physical object and as a symbolic representation of various universal concepts.”
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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