Meet Calgary's newest near-million dollar public art piece
It hasn’t been around for long, but the newest addition to Calgary’s public art pieces has already caused quite a stir.
Temporarily titled Ascend, the new sculpture has been erected on a hill by the Shane Homes Rocky Ridge YMCA and features two mirrored monuments, both standing roughly 45 feet high.
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The artwork has been made using stainless steel tubes to create what looks like curved horns atop the hill.
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The artwork was designed and created by artist team Haddad | Drugan, aka Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan.
The same team were the artists behind the public art piece Flock, which is also located near the Shane Homes YMCA.
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Ascend has received some scrutiny from the public, mainly due to its $911,000 price tag. As with most large-scale construction project in the city, a percentage of what is spent on infrastructure must go towards public artwork.
The Shane Homes YMCA’s total public art budget landed at $1.49 million, with Flock using roughly one-third of that sum and Ascend using most of the remainder, according to the City of Calgary’s website.
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Many Calgarians were left with a bad taste in their mouth following the controversy that was caused when nearly half a million dollars was spent on the Travelling Light installation — The Blue Ring — back in 2013.
“Ascend” is only a working title on the new installation, and the City of Calgary is asking the public to send in their ideas for a new title.
Unfortunately, many are taking this as an opportunity to voice their discontent in the use of public funding:
Waste of good steel.
— Chris F. (@ChrisFader1) December 4, 2018
“The rest of the sticks from the Bowfort Towers”
— GordDawg waives NMC to go to the Seattle Cranes (@GordDawg) December 4, 2018
Or “Battling Scorpions”…. pic.twitter.com/2DyB0WQv1b
— T. Annette (@Got2sayso) December 5, 2018
How about “Big Pile of Stick” 🤦♂️
— Christian Ravary 🇨🇦 (@Chris_Ravary) December 4, 2018
However, there were others who were a little less harsh on the new public artwork:
Calgary’s new public art sculpture “Ascend” by @HaddadDrugan is so beautiful I am heading up to the NW this weekend just to see it in person https://t.co/SPalB1CnuY pic.twitter.com/SLOLhmW4Du
— voyage vixen (@voyagevixen) December 5, 2018
Still better than the blue ring. It’s horns and apparently when light hits it it’s supposed to be like a prism. I’ll judge it when it’s done.
— Caity Paige (@hottbutch) October 31, 2018
As with all artwork, the old saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” rings true.
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- 14 of the best coffee shops in Calgary for studying and working
- Alberta Guide Dogs hosting Christmas market and bake sale
- 25 locally-made gifts that are perfect for every Calgarian on your list
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