Keep Him Warm

I love public art and this sculpture is one of my favourites. Seeing the hat on this fellow made me smile. I loved the idea of people interacting with the sculpture in a playful way. He could probably use a scarf as well. Public art should be enjoyed (though not graffitied).

Public Art

Tai Chi Single Whip is a sculpture that sits at one end of Square Victoria. While I have walked through the square many times, my starting point is usually at the metro exit and I continue south, so this was my first encounter with this sculpture. It is by Ju Ming, a Taiwanese artist. Public art is so important to me. I like to stop and linger, admire. It is a refreshing change from the advertising, the logos, the garish store signs that dominate much of downtown.



I am sure I have featured this one before. The Illuminated Crowd by Raymond Mason is on McGill College. The sun really illuminated it and I could not resist taking another photograph. I walk a lot in the city and the many pieces of art I pass always add interest to my day. Like reading books, each time I pass I may see something new as the quality of the light and time of day changes the look of the piece and my reaction to it.

No Respect

As anyone who reads my blog knows, I love public art. This sculpture attracted my attention when I first saw it. I featured it here. Now it is defaced by a tagger who has no respect for the work of others.

I am outraged by this attitude. And it is prevalent - whether it is defacing other people's art work or defacing buildings taggers destroy. In contrast are murals by street artists - that is something to celebrate.

Vendome Metro Station

I know I have posted a picture before of this - stained glass plus sculpture. Vendome Station is where the metro line and the commuter train line meet - so the sculpture has an appropriate feel of tracks. When you go into the station when the sun is hitting the windows, the effect is magical. I love the way the colours from the glass play on the metal sculpture and the wall of the station.

Bundled Up

Bundled Up, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

It's always fun to come across the unexpected. I photographed this sculpture last winter, but this year I had a surprise. Some kind soul had knitted a hat and scarf to keep this fellow warm.



I'm not sure it warmed him up, but it certainly made me smile. It has been a very cold winter. I'm getting tired of walking around like a turtle, with my head pulled into my coat as much as possible. When the weather warms we stand up straighter. It will come.... but when?

Le Malheureux Magnifique

Le Malheureux Magnifique, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Photos: February 26, 2014

I passed this sculpture on my way to meet up with others for dinner. It represents despair, sadness, but also reflection. As a bitter, damp wind whipped at me, I felt that heaviness of feeling no end to winter.



I refuse to let winter get me down. Once inside the restaurant, the warmth of family and friendship cancelled out those wintery blues. The evening happened because we had tickets to see Margie Gillis. She is a contemporary dancer who has broken many preconceived notions about dance. She is 60 and was celebrating 40 years of choreographing. Her usually one woman shows are trips into many human emotions, and yes - despair is sometimes featured, but also incredible joy. She does not have a typical dancer's body, yet she embodies dance. She conveys the human spirit in an honest, open way, its frailties, its anguish, its complexities and its pleasures. At 60 she is a model for women conveying the vibrancy of women of this age. What a pleasure to watch her.

You can see excerpts of her dance here.

More information on the sculpture (only in French) or go to my Flickr image

Sleeper

Sleeper, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I love to find surprises in my city and I always appreciate finding public art. I noticed these sculptures last week while waiting for a bus and this week chose to go take a closer look. They are in Cabot Square. They are all by the artist, Robert Lorrain.




Oblivious to the frigid temperatures and snow, he sleeps on. I enjoyed walking around the square and discovering these pieces.




I was able to find the title of this one, L'Héroine d'Amérique. She stands at the corner, watching traffic go by.



I like her attitude. She stands tall against whatever she faces.



This horse looks like he took a mouthful of snow. He seems to be enjoying the weather. These are just a few of the sculptures in the square. I'll have to go back in the spring when some of the titles might be visible.

Horses in the City

Horses in the City, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I really wanted to find out who the artist is who created these horses. I wanted to have a closer look. BUT... I was not allowed to approach. They are located next to the circular driveway which goes to the entrance to the National Art Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. Pedestrians have to stay on the sidewalk on the other side of the driveway.



So if there is a plaque naming the artist, I could not even try to find it. I did like these prancing equines, but could only get closer with the zoom on my camera :-(

24/08/12
A friend just let me know that these are by Joe Fafard - a wonderful artist from Saskatchewan. One of his cows can be found here.

Emily Carr et ses amis

Emily Carr et ses amis, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I love to come across public art. This one was new to me. It is a sculpture by Joe Fafard - Emily Carr et ses amis. I am a fan of both Fafard and Carr and it is nice to see an artist pay hommage to another.

Emily Carr was born in 1871. She certainly didn't follow tradition. A painter, a writer and a non-conformist, she is known best for her paintings of British Columbia, particularly those done in the Kwakiutl villages. You can learn more about her here. If you search for images on Google you will find many examples of her work as well as photographs of the artist herself.

Joe Fafard is a contemporary artist. I have photographed a cow he did, which lies near the Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal. The cow has recently been moved around the corner and now lies on grass. Learn more about Joe Fafard here.

Ben Franklin

Ben Franklin, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Thought I would share some of the public art in Philadelphia. Benjamin Franklin gets around - he can be found in many places in the city, including his grave. I love his lightning hair!

This temporary mural covers work. It certainly makes strolling through a pleasant experience.

This is part of a mural on the side of a pub. You have to look a while to find all the whimsical details - a flavour of Philadelphia.

This was in a store window - part of a village built by children. The "slate" roof was beautifully done. Some buildings even had graffiti - so much part of our modern cities.

Fountain

Fountain, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

It's nice to wander off the main streets and find hidden squares with intriguing art. This tree stump fountain sent water dancing in the air.

Metro Art

Metro Art, originally uploaded by susanvg.

When this art work was first created, it stretched the length of the station, unprotected by this reflective glass cover. Then the vandals got to it. The whole thing had to be dismantled, cleaned and then those parts that were salvageable were remounted under glass. The vandals are at it again.
I am all for good graffiti artists who create art in the city, but spray painting tags on someone's property, whether it be a piece of art, a monument, a building or whatever is not creative, is not art and is not cool!

June 8/10: The Art Budget

The Art Budget, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I was at a meeting at a vocational school. The building was only built two years ago. In Quebec all new public buildings must spend 1% of the building budget on art. This piece, Le souffle de l'avenir (the wind of the future) is by artists Joëlle and Rolf Morosoli.

It is wonderful to know that artists have some opportunity for public commissions. And it certainly adds flair to the building.

Day 181: Public Art

Day 181: Public Art, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I was really impressed with the art in the Washington Convention Center. This is only one example. There were lovely paintings, photographs, installations - some more traditional, others quite quirky - a circle of guitars hung from the ceiling, large painted animals. What is important is that art is valued. In Quebec there is a requirement that public buildings spend a percentage of the budget (I think it is 1%) on art. It says something about a city when it displays its culture and honours its artists.

Being in this large building, with thousands of people, it was nice to stop occasionally and enjoy - to escape, for a moment, the hum, the hype and the crowds.