Calgary Public Art: the infamous 'Travelling Light' AKA The Blue Ring (PHOTOS)

Travelling Light/heavy industries Calgary

Travelling Light is one of the most infamous pieces of public art in Calgary.

The inception of Travelling Light had its origin in May 2013 when the City invited Calgarians to an open session in the Central Library to learn about upcoming art projects.

This piece was designed by a group of artists known as inges dee and completed in December of 2013. inges dee has four members – Hans Hemmert, Axel Lieber, Thomas A. Schmidt and Georg Zey. They are based out of Berlin and have worked on over 200 projects since their formation in 1992, with 50 becoming permanent pieces all over the world.

Calgary’s “Travelling Light” blue ring art sculpture (The City of Calgary Arts and Culture/Facebook)

If you look at inges dee’s official website, there is a post devoted to the public art piece in Calgary.

“Travelling Light is a sculpture that takes motion as its theme and makes it experienceable.”

The post goes on to say that Travelling Light was designed to be a frame for different views of the city, depending on how you look at it. Your view could show you open countryside or the heart of downtown.

According to The City of Calgary’s official website, “Travelling Light is an engineering feat in that the structure is free-standing, with no guide cables or secondary support structures.”

All of the manufacturing and installing was done by local companies, including the steel bending company, electricians, and crane operators.

inges dee was chosen through Calgary’s usual process for an international call, meaning any artist interested could apply. More than 50 submissions for the project were received with three being from Calgary, 19 from Canada, and 36 from other nations.

Travelling Light (City of Calgary)

Despite all this, Calgarians really don’t seem to like Travelling Light. With a budget of $471,000 it’s been called a giant waste of money.

Better public art than the giant blue ring? I think so! #yyc #giantbluering #art #funny pic.twitter.com/aDpJlr2x3p

— shona reilly (@ShonaReilly) March 29, 2015

You @GiantBlueRing have new competition! #Carrington #Livingston #NW #yyc #calgary #Art or #Skatepark or #UFO landing site? 👽 #GiantBlueRing pic.twitter.com/skNUPNZwCR

— Denise Henwood (@DeniseHenwood) September 5, 2017

Similar to Bowfort Towers, this piece of public art has inspired a joke twitter account, with this one remaining active to this day.

Calgary Public Art: the infamous 'Travelling Light' AKA The Blue Ring (PHOTOS)

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