WATCH ABOVE: There are now three Edmonton-themed treehouses perked in an unlikely spot right in the heart of the city. Kendra Slugoski tells us why.
EDMONTON — It’s not a sight often seen in downtown Edmonton, but on Monday, some very realistic miniature houses were being hoisted into the trees above Churchill Square.
These aren’t your regular treehouses. Three homes are built to resemble houses that actually exist in Edmonton neighbourhoods.
An explanation on the Edmonton Arts Council website says the treehouses “will reflect heritage architecture found in historic neighbourhoods like Old Glenora, as well as newly built infills.”
READ MORE: Edmontonians encouraged to get snapping for public art-mapping project
The three designs will also have lights and audio elements. The treehouses will be in place until September 12. The doors to each will be locked.
They are part of a public art project by the Threshold Collective, a group comprised of University of Alberta design students. The goal of the project? To spark discussion and thought about public and private space.
The project “superimposes private and intimate suburban spaces upon the urban environment and shared public space,” according to the Edmonton Arts Council. “Throughout the day, the treehouses will periodically animated by sounds of domestic life during the day, and further brought to light by the inclusion of interior light after dark.”
All three treehouses are being put in place Monday and Tuesday, with the installation being completed by Wednesday. The collective worked with City of Edmonton arborists on prototypes to make sure trees would not be damaged.
The transitory public art project is funded through the Edmonton Arts Council Transitory Art Call. The budget for the piece was $30,000.
The Threshold Collective is led by Edmonton artist Jesse Sherburne and is made up of three artists currently enrolled in the Industrial Design Program at the University of Alberta: Sebastian Sauve-Hoover, Brad Comis and Danielle Soneff.
Comments