Art
Stolen dinos, giant spiders and burnt jackets: A look at memorable public art fiascos – Yahoo Canada Sports
OTTAWA — A recent dino-napping in Ottawa’s Chinatown was just the latest in a string of incidents that had people in Canada’s capital astir about public art.
Three people yanked a cartoonish purple dinosaur statue, part of a four-month-old art installation, off the sidewalk in late June.
They returned the hostage this past week after police got involved, but other pieces of the Chinatown BIA’s “selfie station” project have also been subject to neighbourhood torment — like a yellow dino that disappeared earlier this year.
Pandas have gone missing, too, and Logger Vick, a character from the popular Chinese cartoon Boonie Bears, has been beheaded.
The dinosaur crime saga came as Ottawans were squawking about a new National Capital Commission art installation made of torn-up tires.
The piece, called When Rubber Meets Road, portrays a large crow that symbolizes roadkill.
But is Ottawa really cornering the market on the country’s zaniest public art — or the most unusual reactions to it?
Here’s a look at some of the most memorable times Canadian public art caused a fuss in recent years.
A spider on the wall in Vancouver
A giant metallic spider appeared under an East Vancouver overpass in March.
The city was quick to label the artwork depicting a spider as “unsanctioned” and looked to remove it from under the high-traffic bridge, saying the spider terrified commuters.
The arachnid’s creator, artist Junko Playtime, went on a social-media campaign to “help save spidey!”
By then, the artwork had gathered lots of attention and public support.
In April, Vancouver Coun. Peter Meiszner, who was interviewed by the BBC about the spider controversy, announced the city would leave the artwork called “Phobia” in place temporarily.
A silver trap in Edmonton
A 26-year-old man got trapped in Edmonton’s Talus Dome after climbing the display and falling through an opening in April.
Wakeem Courtoreille was stuck inside the public art installation made up of over 1,000 metal balls for around an hour and a half until firefighters rescued him.
He told media that he “just wanted to go on an adventure.”
After he attempted to climb out of the sculpture three times, firefighters were forced to use the “Jaws of Life” — a rescue tool typically used in extracting people in car crashes.
Courtoreille was later arrested and charged with mischief over $5,000.
A real-estate homage in Toronto
It’s hard to miss the 25-foot-tall statue of a of a creepy white-collar man grasping a skyscraping condominium tower.
The art piece was installed in 2019 outside — you guessed it — a Toronto condo building on St. Clair West Avenue.
It sparked plenty of conversation among Torontonians searching for deeper meaning. Was it a visual representation of the zoning variance under Ontario’s Planning Act that is offered to developers in exchange for community benefits such as public art?
Or was it a metaphor for “a certain class’s dominance over the society that is supposed to be diverse and multicultural,” as one Twitter user posited not long after its installation?
For some, it was just plain ugly.
A playful wave in Halifax
Halifax’s infamous “Wave” has long been treated like more of a jungle-gym than a public art display.
A sign in front of the sculpture reading “please do not climb on the wave” is often disregarded, with kids climbing the waterfront sculpture and sliding back down its smooth surface.
A 2013 petition created by resident Ian Palmer, who came to be known as “Wave Dad,” urged the municipal government to add safety measures to the two-metre tall structure.
The plea went viral and sparked strong reaction, with many criticizing #wavedad on Twitter for wanting the alterations.
Despite the controversy, the wave remains unaltered — and is still used as a slide.
A hot mess in Calgary
A woman’s coat was burned by Calgary’s “Wishing Well” art display in 2013 while she stood adjacent to the reflective structure.
The $600,000 stainless steel sculpture, similar to Chicago’s infamous “The Bean,” set Nimrodel Donahue’s garment ablaze, the Calgary Herald reported in 2014.
The piece was stored in a warehouse and covered in heat-sealed plastic until last year, for what were described as safety reasons.
The heat-seeking structure was then reinstalled on a shadier Calgary corner.
City officials asserted that it wouldn’t burn onlookers this time around due to a non-reflective coating added to its interior.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 8, 2023.
———
This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
Liam Fox, The Canadian Press
[unable to retrieve full-text content]
Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
Source link
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.
Statistics Canada reports wholesale sales higher in July
Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa sustains third concussion of his career after hitting head on turf
David Beckham among soccer dignitaries attending ex-England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
12 Bizarre Things People Did Just To Make Social Media Content
dynaCERT Inc. Invites You to Join Us at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference | INN – Investing News Network
AP source: Bears acquiring quarterback Nick Foles from Jaguars – Sportsnet.ca
-
News14 hours agoB.C. to scrap consumer carbon tax if federal government drops legal requirement: Eby
-
Sports15 hours agoLawyer says Chinese doping case handled ‘reasonably’ but calls WADA’s lack of action “curious”
-
News14 hours agoA linebacker at West Virginia State is fatally shot on the eve of a game against his old school
-
Sports9 hours agoCanada’s Marina Stakusic advances to quarterfinals at Guadalajara Open
-
News14 hours agoHall of Famer Joe Schmidt, who helped Detroit Lions win 2 NFL titles, dies at 92
-
News15 hours agoRCMP say 3 dead, suspects at large in targeted attack at home in Lloydminster, Sask.
-
News24 hours ago
Local Toronto business story – Events Industry : new national brand, Element Event Solutions
-
News15 hours agoProvinces decry Ottawa’s plan to resettle asylum seekers across the country
