One that got away
Some local commentators have expressed disappointment at the chosen winner for the $250,000.00 “public art” component of the Wellington Street West road reconstruction project.
Some of the disappointment has centred on the winning proposal’s use of heavy and expensive imported Italian marble ( the winning design is for a series of stylized marble fire hydrants), given the increasing societal concern with carbon footprints and the new popularity of “hundred mile” consumption guidelines.
Pictured above, one proposal that didn’t even make the shortlist or “maquette” stage of the jury’s deliberations would have represented an opportunity to reduce the carbon footprint of the street art to virtually nothing by creative re-use of the very materials being stripped away from the street during the reconstruction – the giant wooden telephone poles that have served the street for over 50 years.
The Oracle has obtained permission from the team involved in the innovative project (well-known local artists Don Monet and Gordon Wallace) to post their concept sketches.
The sketches show an awareness of the cultural history of the district extending back to before European contact, and a strong familiarity with the industrial heritage of the Hintonburg and Mechanicsville area.
Whimsical AND practical. Wow! I love the sketches.
Too bad I can’t say the same for the marble fire hydrants.
This frustrates me to no end. I am sooooo not happy about the hydrants.
The public won’t be moved by these “metamorphosing” hydrants unless it likes amateurish kitsch better suited for someone’s backyard with the gnomes.
The wooden poles are staying and will continue to be used to hold up hydro wires. It costs to much to bury them.
Personally,the hydrants were my first choice. They connect the 2.5 kms of Wellington and the kids will love them.
Also, an added bonus is that key sites such as Clarendon, McCormick and Sommerset Square could still be available for larger installations. I am sure there are lots of ideas…we just need the money.
I wanted to see a mix of two of the contenders. Too bad THAT wasn’t one of the options.
You know the more I hear about it — the warmer I become to the new art that is being installed here in the next few years. I think in the end the jury did a great job – and these fire plug sculptures will look great and endure for centuries…They will be on pedestals and larger scale than the usual hydrant…So monuments to fire safety (connecting communities)and culture (connecting communities). Just hate the marble having to travel so far carbon carbon hey..
Don
My dog will love the hydrants!
[...] with Miss Vicky at offhand.ca we’ve been following the news about public art and the Wellington Street road reconstruction. Local artist Don Monet was part of a team whose concept didn’t make the short list for the [...]