SASKATOON – Some of Saskatoon’s art sculptures are looking a little different this week, covered in white plastic.
It’s not to keep them warm through the winter, it’s art designed to create intrigue and discussion.
The plastic-wrapped sculptures have certainly been turning heads with many asking what it is and why is it covered up?
Sans Façon is the artistic group behind the unique exhibition, made up of Calgary-based pair, Tristan Surtees and Charles Blanc.
“The title of the piece is ‘Cacher pour mieux montrer’ which is a French expression which means, hiding to show better,” said Blanc.
That’s exactly what they’re hoping to achieve by wrapping 16 existing sculptures around the city, with the artists permission of course.
“Often we pass things in the street especially in urban settings that you don’t necessarily pay a huge amount of attention to or they’re there but we take them for granted so we’re inviting people to miss them for a little while and then reveal them and enjoy them once again,” said Surtees.
“We wanted to create something which was very tight, you could still identify the sculpture but it was a sort of playful game so it’s an industrial plastic wrap that when it’s heated it shrinks around the form of the sculpture that’s underneath,” he added.
Many residents Global News talked to didn’t know or couldn’t remember what was under the plastic wrap.
It’s all part of the City of Saskatoon’s Placemaker Program, where seven pieces of new temporary art are being displayed around Saskatoon.
The aim is to enhance civic spaces, engage the public and to promote an appreciation for contemporary art.
“Peoples intrigue and questioning and kind of re-looking at what they already have is something we feel strongly people will do,” said Surtees.
If it gets people talking and paying more attention to public art, Tristan and Charles have done their job.
The sculptures will remain covered for two weeks.
A ‘meet the artists’ reception is being planned for when the artwork is removed.
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