The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation unveiled a major public art installation on Tuesday, along with the community’s first pedestrian-only street.
The installation, created by local artist Ron Moppett, measures 200 meters long by 17.6 meters wide.
“I am known more for my work with colour, and I wanted in the East Village, something that has been grey for a long time, to introduce literally a big train of color into the neighborhood,” says Moppett.
Moppett moved to Calgary from London 55 years ago.
The original art was painted on canvas. Then computer technology sent the images to Germany, where skilled craftsmen created the panels using almost a million Venetian and Mexican glass tiles. The panels were then cut into much smaller pieces and shipped back to our city.
It’s the second of two major public art installations in the East Village, following Julian Opie’s promenade.
The art project, which cost $500,000, is a feature of the new pedestrian-only Riverfront Lane.
It’s titled THESAMEWAYBETTER/READER.
Moppett explains THE SAME refers to the role the East Village has played in the development of The City of Calgary.
WAYBETTER refers to the renewal of the East Village.
Finally, READER is a tribute to Mr. William Reader, who was Calgary’s first superintendent of Parks and Cemeteries.
– With files from Doug Vaessen
Comments