Large sculpture in Vanier Park has uncertain future
The sculpture stands forlornly in Vancouver’s Vanier Park, encircled by a construction fence with four signs warning off trespassers.
“Enjoy viewing the artwork but do not climb nor cross the fence as cleaning & maintenance are in progress,” say the signs, although on Tuesday there was no evidence of progress at the site on the shore of False Creek.
Behind the fencing the grass has grown to knee height, an indication that it’s been a while since any real work was done.
The warning signs also contain a clue about the artwork’s identity, and a visit to vancouverbiennale. com showed that the stainless steel installation is in fact Freezing Water #7 — one of two works by Chinese artist Ren Jun erected on the Lower Mainland in 2009.
Of the Vanier Park piece, the website proclaims: “Cast in stainless steel, the artist (sic) reveals his mastery of material, volume and engineering to create a monumental public installation as fluid as a bird in flight. This sculpture captures the artist’s inspiration of spilt water as it puddles and morphs into mercury-like shapes.”
The shimmering website image doesn’t reflect the artwork’s current state. The once-glistening surface now shows its age, and rusting interior ribs poke through the centre of the piece. Miriam Blume of Vancouver Biennale said Freezing Water #7 was put up as a temporary installation, but is undergoing an inspection to determine if it’s a candidate for permanent display.
“Given that Freezing Water was installed as a temporary artwork four years ago, we are taking additional steps to assess if it’s eligible to become a Legacy piece,” she said.
If Biennale decides the project should stay, the city and a deeppocketed sponsor would need to back the plan.