Another public art display has been put into question. A $250,000, 20-metre high “mirror ball” tower is planned for the new 110,000 square foot, $80 million Minoru aquatics and seniors centre. Coun. Carol Day wanted staff to check any safety issues with it being near a flight path. She also questioned its costs.
The large pole would signal the entrance and exit to the park from Granville Avenue.
Artist Sheila Klein designed the piece called “Multipole.”
Klien stated in the staff report to council various things may be attached to the pole, such as a fish sculpture or flags. On top will be a mirror ball.
Bruce Grenville, senior curator at the Vancouver Art Gallery, was part of the panel that initially approved the art, which was then endorsed on Monday by Mayor Malcolm Brodie all councillors the planning committee save for Day, who said the report failed to have enough information for her to make a judgement on it (see report here).
Meanwhile Coun. Bill McNulty said he doesn’t think it’s council’s prerogative to deny a public art project at the final stage of approval.
“Whether you like the art is, in a way, irrelevant,” said McNulty, who questioned his fellow councillors' judgment in recently denying a ginseng photo display as part of a permanent public art project in the Oval Village.
He said the public art commission process must be followed, yet when asked if the process of councillors having the final veto on art should change, he said it should not.
Councillors Linda McPhail, Harold Steves and Day denied the $190,000 project by artist Evan Lee.
After much leg work by the developer and artist it was the first time council saw the work when it was voted down.
“Perhaps council should be involved at an earlier stage,” concluded McPhail, who also said council should continue to have a final say because council endorses the public art funds.
The public art in question featured large photos of ginseng shaped like human figures and encapsulated in glass covers. The art is part of a public art (community amenity) contribution the city requires from large developments.
In this instance the art was to be placed near the foot of the Dinsmore Bridge on private land.
