Shane Homes YMCA, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 2018
Located on a grassy knoll at one the highest natural points in Calgary, the sculpture is inspired by mythical creatures who may have once roamed the moraines; animal herds, torsos, horns and wings; flocks of birds and bats; matrices of animal nests and dens; prairie vegetation; icicles; and chinook clouds. Two near identical monumental pieces stand as sentinels in the landscape. Their positioning in relation to each other causes them to separate and then converge, forming changing compositions visible from the adjacent paths, roadways, and recreation centre. As one moves toward, through, and around the artwork, the pair separate, convene, and commingle, creating a variety of compositions in a metaphorical convergence of the diverse Calgary community and environment. From a distance, iconic views of the art beckon people to ascend the knoll, where they can discover for themselves the natural landscape and panoramic views panning from downtown Calgary across the Rocky Mountain range.
Each sculpture is composed of an organic matrix of stainless steel pipe welded onto a structural skeleton held in the air by angled pipes that act as legs. The stainless steel pipe finish is matte throughout, which causes the pipes to appear luminous when they catch sunlight, particularly close to sunrise and sunset when the light is low. Prisms attached to some of the pipes cause iridescence and spectral refractions when sunlight casts onto them.
This artwork was commissioned by the City of Calgary Public Art Program. Engineering was by KPFF, fabrication was by Silo Workshop, installation was by Prime Movers Inc., piles were by RS Foundation Systems, and the site contractor was Longboard Construction.