Three pieces of public art for Edmonton’s new arena unveiled

EDMONTON — Three works of art from Berlin, Saskatoon and Edmonton will be created for Rogers Place as part of the city’s Percent for Art policy.

The policy dedicates one per cent of construction costs to getting public art for city infrastructure.

“There still will be people unhappy that their tax dollars are being invested in art, but the conversation is changing to, ‘What art? Where? Who did it? What does it look like? Do I love it? Do I hate it?’ which is a far different conversation than, ‘That’s a waste of money,'” said Paul Moulton, executive director of the Edmonton Arts Council.

On Tuesday, the Edmonton Arts Council and the city unveiled concepts of the three final pieces that were chosen by committees through an international, national and local call for artists. There were more than 200 submissions.

The three works are: Essential Tree by realties: united (Berlin), Skater’s Arch by Douglas Benthan (Saskatoon), and Figures in Motion by Al Henderson (Edmonton).

“He had combined the medium of painting in an abstract way that does reflect ice skating the way he’s made his marks and then including within that some very detailed figurative pieces.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "He had combined the medium of painting in an abstract way that does reflect ice skating the way he's made his marks and then including within that some very detailed figurative pieces.

“Those pieces will be representative of the skating rink. People like both the abstraction, the realism and the contextual element,” said Kerr.

READ MORE: Alberta artist Alex Janvier to create public art piece for Edmonton’s downtown arena 

These three pieces join Tsatsake k’e (Iron Foot Place), a previously announced work created by aboriginal artist Alex Janvier.

“I think they have caught the spirit of the building and that part of our city really well,” said Moulton. “There’s a great diversity in the look of the work which I really think is fantastic.  And, the fact we’ve attracted so much interest nationally, internationally as well as regionally, it’s all really positive for Edmonton.”

“The public artworks for Rogers Place will become well-known places in and of themselves,” said Moulton. “For example I can see people saying, ‘I’ll meet you under the tree.'”

The art will be installed before Rogers Place opens fall 2016. Commissioning the pieces will cost $500,000 for the Essential Tree, $300,000 for  Skater’s Arch and $100,000 for Figures in Motion.

“The art is in the public areas where it can be enjoyed by all,” said Rick Daviss with the City of Edmonton.

“These artworks will add visual interest and character to Rogers Place, which is already becoming a signature area in Edmonton.”