Opinion: What Vancouver’s divisive ‘Spinning Chandelier’ tells us about the state of public art

The imagery of Spinning Chandelier, its funding and its placement all highlight the disparity that defines so much of Vancouver today.Sage MacGillivray is a project manager who has worked on numerous public and private art commissions in Western Canada. She currently works with David Robinson and contributed to theby B.C. artist Rodney Graham, is enough to make one’s head spin. Installed in November under Vancouver’s Granville Street Bridge at a cost of $4.

Criticism of the project has been fierce and has fallen upon the artist, property developer Westbank Corp., which funded the artwork, and our public art policy itself. These conversations raise urgent issues and will hopefully spark positive change for the future of art in our community. But these denigrations can demoralize and divide. Sometimes change is better galvanized by example. Fortunately, we need not look far for an uplifting success story in the here and now.

As a project manager for public art projects, I’ve seen policy applied in various ways. Another one of Mr. Robinson’s projects –for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo – was ground-breaking in its dedication to thorough community consultation on both siting and art selection. The project was recognized at this year’s Creative City Summit as one of Canada’s best public art projects of 2018.

I believe that the “Percent for Public Art” model, which requires developers to commission artworks or provide cash-in-lieu to the city’s public art fundWestbank bundled three additional development contributions to cover cost overruns on Mr. Graham’s piece – potentially depriving the community of three other artworks.

These debates around art and policy are critical to community well-being. Mr. Graham has reflected on the controversy surrounding his work:"I’ve thought about these things more too, and it’s probably not something … that I would initiate right now,” he said. As the conversation continues, let’s give some thought to what kind of artwork can speak to our community – meaningfully, respectfully – and what kinds of programs can best support the creation of that art.

Source: Entertainment Trends (entertainmenttrends.net)

Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Vancouver artist Dina Goldstein puts U.S. presidency on biblical trial in her new series of photographsGoldstein takes 10 U.S. presidents – all played by locals – and inserts them into detailed tableaus of her creation called The 10 Commandments GlobeArts steeletalk
Source: globeandmail - 🏆 5. / 92 Read more »

Anthony Gismondi: Looking back at notable wine world events in 2019Vancouver Sun wine expert Anthony Gismondi highlights the highs and lows of 2019
Source: VancouverSun - 🏆 49. / 61 Read more »

Gordon Grdina starts off 2020 with Nomad Trio's debut recordingProlific Vancouver jazz musician Gordon Grdina has added two exciting new projects to a busy 2020.
Source: VancouverSun - 🏆 49. / 61 Read more »

‘To all the climate change deniers, I hope you have prepared answers for your grandchildren.’ Readers react to Australia’s wildfiresReaders react to a Globe opinion about the wildfires from Australia-based writer Jessica Friedmann Easy. Geoengineering! They've nailed at least a dozen arsonists. Are these the climate change activists who opposed controlled burns then decided to go on a rampage so that they could claim it was caused by climate change? Fires have nothing to do with fake climate change give it up
Source: globeandmail - 🏆 5. / 92 Read more »

Grouse Mountain ski resort purchased by B.C.-based Northland PropertiesGrouse Mountain ski resort purchased by B.C.-based Northland Properties GlobeBC
Source: globeandmail - 🏆 5. / 92 Read more »

Adam Gaudette, Canucks defeat Blackhawks for 6th straight win - Sportsnet.ca'It was a fun game.' Hockey_Gaud joined sportsnetmurph to talk about the Canucks' wild 7-5 win over the Blackhawks:
Source: Sportsnet - 🏆 57. / 59 Read more »