Dundas Driving Park's second public art installation progresses – Hamilton Spectator

City of Hamilton staff say the remaining $41,148 budget for a second Dundas Driving Park public art project will be enough to complete installation next year despite a six-year delay.

Five concrete bases for the long-planned “Big Bounce” were recently placed along a path in the middle of the park, each surrounded by orange fencing.

Public art manager Jeff Erbach’s update on the Dundas art installation, awarded to two British Columbia artists in 2015, to the city’s Arts Advisory Commission was postponed Sept. 27 when the committee meeting was cancelled due to technical issues with livestreaming. The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 22.

City spokesperson Michelle Shantz said $103,952 of the $145,000 Driving Park project has been spent so far. Shantz did not say how much money is needed to complete remaining work and install it.

“No additional funds are being sought for the project,” Shantz said.

She said etching of images onto the artwork is still in progress, and once complete, the project can be installed. Staff are now targeting Spring 2023 for completion.

“The site plan is complete, and the foundation design and pouring of foundations is now finished in preparation for installation of the artwork,” Shantz said.

Originally scheduled for installation in 2016, “The Big Bounce” was proposed to feature five granite “balloons” that appear to be bouncing along the ground. Historic photos of the town of Dundas and the Dundas Driving Park were to be sandblasted into the granite.

Each of the five granite balloons were to be four feet high and six feet long, with two historic images on opposite sides of each balloon. They were each to be attached to two underground concrete foundations, measuring 36 by 36 inches and 24 by 24 inches.

A concept statement from artists Paul Slipper and Mary Ann Liu stated the goal was to create a sense of celebration and reflect on local history.

“Balloons are one of the most recognizable icons for celebrations in modern times,” the artists’ concept states. “They evoke memories of events such as sporting events, family picnics, parades, birthdays and happy occasions.”

Shantz said the city’s risk management staff participate in a technical review of permanent public art pieces at the adjudication stage to ensure they meet public safety concerns.

“At that early stage, before artwork is selected, artists have the ability to address any issues raised in the technical reviews,” she said.

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