TORONTO — Canadian contemporary artist Charles Pachter went into damage control mode Thursday after posting a photo of deer-shaped hydro towers and appearing to claim credit.
“Just finished these for Ontario Hydro,” the 71-year-old artist wrote in a post Wednesday, accompanied by a photo of the two metal sculptures.
The hydro towers, though, were conceived by Russian creative collective Design Depot at least two years ago.
What’s more, Ontario Hydro ceased to exist under that name in 1998. (A spokesperson for Hydro One told Global News “they are a beautiful work of art but at this time Hydro One isn’t commissioning any deer-shaped towers.”)
“I have to tell you, that’s a spoof,” Pachter told Global News when asked about his Facebook post.
“I actually didn’t do those, they came from Russia.”
Pachter said he was surprised the post got so much attention on Facebook.
The post was shared by other Facebook users — including many who praised what they believed was his design.
“Charles your work is so beautiful, makes me wish I had power lines running through my neighbourhood,” wrote Troy Haines.
Gary Westwood of Roundabout Studio shared the post and commented: “We love Charles Pachter’s latest moose installations, doing double duty as Ontario Hydro pylons.”
Aylan Couchie wrote: “Amazing Charles — absolutely stunning. Congrats!”
“These are from the incredible Charles Pachter for Ontario hydro!,” wrote Mandy Stobo. “So. Amazing. Alberta, what are we gonna do?”
Contacted by Global News, Pachter acknowledged people could easily assume it was his design.
“It looks like I did it,” he admitted.
“It’s one of those things I did just for fun.”
Pachter said he posted the photo “with the idea I wish they would actually do it.”
Minutes later, Pachter posted a retraction on his Facebook page.
“OK FB FOLKS, the gig is up. I have had hundreds of responses to the deer & hydro lines, but gotta confess, I DIDN’T DO THEM! Wish I could have. Have no idea who did. The image was forwarded to me, and I got into a bit of mischief by posting it. Of course, if I could, I’d do MOOSE…. ”
Pachter is recognized as one of Canada’s top contemporary artists.
Born and based in Toronto, his work has been shown in galleries around the world and exhibited at the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum.
According to his biography, Pachter’s paintings are on display in the Portrait Gallery of Canada, the prime minister’s residence, Parliament Buildings and the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
An Officer of the Order of Canada and a Chevalier of France’s Order of Arts and Letters, Pachter received the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals.
-with files from John R. Kennedy
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