SCULPTURE UNDER SCRUTINY
Critics call for art program overhaul
Controversy continues to swirl around a new art installation along the Trans-Canada Highway, with critics raising concerns about the cost and level of Indigenous consultation.
With a $ 500,000 price tag, Thursday’s announcement of the installation of Bowfort Towers has drawn ire from Coun. Diane Colley-Urquhart, who wants to see a complete overhaul of the process of implementing public art.
Colley-Urquhart said the fact the artist Del Geist comes from New York and council just allocated $2 million to sustain the local arts isn’t helping either.
“This is why Calgarians are finding this even more offensive,” she said. “In tough economic times, when our artists are starving and trying to make ends meet, we’re tendering and granting these projects to people that don’t even live in the city or the province or the country.”
The reason a New Yorker was granted this project was due to open competition. The City of Calgary’s public art page says the city “is bound by international trade agreements to make calls for artists that are over $75,000 available internationally.”
Geist and his partner Patricia Leighton, who will be installing drumlins — or mounds of dirt — as a second art piece included in the $500,000 price tag, were chosen by a seven-person panel.
Another growing concern is the “Blackfoot symbolism” with the four steel towers representative of the importance of the number 4 in the culture.
“We’re talking about all of southern Alberta being offended by this,” said Michelle Robinson, who is Indigenous and is running for councillor in Ward 10. “I think there’s going to be calls for this to be taken down because it’s too close to Indian burial sites that are Blackfoot traditional sites.”
The sculpture looks similar to the traditional burials of Blackfoot people where bodies were left in trees or above ground as it was believed being buried would trap the spirit.
Robinson stressed there is supposed to be consultation with communities when making these decisions. “Both the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples talk about artists working with Indigenous artists if there’s going to be art,” said Robinson, adding policy changes need to happen to be compliant. “If you have to put it out to fit another international agreement, what I’m talking about is just adding a consultant who is Indigenous ... If you truly want Blackfoot-inspired art, you need to go to Blackfoot artists.”
Robinson wants to see improvements in the City of Calgary’s policy that will address gaps regarding cultural sensitivity and diversity.
She adds more “competent diversity training” is needed.
Postmedia reached out to Geist, who responded that he did consult the Blackfoot people, but in an emailed statement he said: “This is more about connecting with the extensive history of the earth in the region, elevating the stones to convey the importance (iconism) and conveying a sense of timelessness.”
Geist did not immediately respond to a request for clarification on his Blackfoot consultation.