dkazzed
Active Member
My sweetest partner entertained my request for a quick stop for our maternity photo shoot on our way from one set to another.
- Thread starter Daveography
- Start date
archited
Senior Member
Precious!!!
IanO
Superstar
Clap
clap
clap
---
Walterdale Bridge public art update
February 24, 2023
The purpose of this statement is to clarify our previous statement on this matter and provide an update on the future of this artwork.
On August 24, 2022, the City of Edmonton announced its decision not to install artist Ken Lum’s The Buffalo and the Buffalo Fur Trader, two bronze sculptures commissioned by the City over a decade ago as part of the Walterdale Bridge project. The decision was based on ‘potential misinterpretation’ that the work could be seen to ‘celebrate colonialism’ and may therefore cause harm.
In making the decision, the City looked to its Indigenous Framework adopted in 2021. The Framework was informed by significant engagement with Indigenous communities, to understand if the Walterdale Bridge placement was consistent with our commitments to be a listener, connector, advocate and partner. The artist was not involved in this work, or in the evolution of our work with Indigenous communities.
The City did not intend to impugn Mr. Lum’s reputation. The August 24, 2022 news release referenced the removed Government Station LRT murals, implying by association that Mr. Lum’s piece was ‘pro-colonist’ and this is an unfair and regrettable comparison. Ken Lum is a highly respected and eminent Canadian-born artist, writer and academic of Chinese descent, and has made a career of confronting issues of racism and oppression in his art practice. He founded an organization, Monument Lab, devoted to discussing and understanding the legacy of public monuments. The City apologizes for any unintended harm to Mr. Lum’s stellar reputation.
Art should foster discussion and often must address issues that are uncomfortable. We appreciate that Mr. Lum has worked with the City to transfer ownership of the artwork from the municipal public art collection. The artwork will be installed in an alternate location of Mr. Lum’s choosing.
Media contact:
Carol Hurst
Senior Communications Advisor
Communications and Engagement
587-987-7166
clap
clap
---
Walterdale Bridge public art update
February 24, 2023
The purpose of this statement is to clarify our previous statement on this matter and provide an update on the future of this artwork.
On August 24, 2022, the City of Edmonton announced its decision not to install artist Ken Lum’s The Buffalo and the Buffalo Fur Trader, two bronze sculptures commissioned by the City over a decade ago as part of the Walterdale Bridge project. The decision was based on ‘potential misinterpretation’ that the work could be seen to ‘celebrate colonialism’ and may therefore cause harm.
In making the decision, the City looked to its Indigenous Framework adopted in 2021. The Framework was informed by significant engagement with Indigenous communities, to understand if the Walterdale Bridge placement was consistent with our commitments to be a listener, connector, advocate and partner. The artist was not involved in this work, or in the evolution of our work with Indigenous communities.
The City did not intend to impugn Mr. Lum’s reputation. The August 24, 2022 news release referenced the removed Government Station LRT murals, implying by association that Mr. Lum’s piece was ‘pro-colonist’ and this is an unfair and regrettable comparison. Ken Lum is a highly respected and eminent Canadian-born artist, writer and academic of Chinese descent, and has made a career of confronting issues of racism and oppression in his art practice. He founded an organization, Monument Lab, devoted to discussing and understanding the legacy of public monuments. The City apologizes for any unintended harm to Mr. Lum’s stellar reputation.
Art should foster discussion and often must address issues that are uncomfortable. We appreciate that Mr. Lum has worked with the City to transfer ownership of the artwork from the municipal public art collection. The artwork will be installed in an alternate location of Mr. Lum’s choosing.
Media contact:
Carol Hurst
Senior Communications Advisor
Communications and Engagement
587-987-7166
Garneau2Go
Active Member
It's really nice to see a simple hill and a good view of the city attract such a crowd. Walterdale hill was buzzing tonight.
IanO
Superstar
It become our goto area on a nice afternoon/night... but still wish they had a TEU there that opened up with coffee, snacks, drinks.
Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit?
archited
Senior Member
No -- I think he meant Tactical Enforcement Unit (he is always going on about crime in the City)
emirvel
New Member
Avenuer
Senior Member
I did not realize that the Walterdale was designed to have the west shared use path become a fourth vehicle lane if needed, which explains it's wide width. A new SUP could be constructed on the west exterior of the bridge to replace the lost SUP:
I wonder if that plan is being looked at to give the bridge more capacity when the various bridge renewals begin next year. If it becomes four lanes, they could do two in each direction and convert Walterdale Hill Road to northbound.
I wonder if that plan is being looked at to give the bridge more capacity when the various bridge renewals begin next year. If it becomes four lanes, they could do two in each direction and convert Walterdale Hill Road to northbound.
David A
Senior Member
I didn't know this either. I wonder if that is what is being planned. If so, that could be a good solution.
SarcasticMarmot
Active Member
I can't find the document, but I am pretty sure I had read in one of the City's documents that they were planning that during the high level closure.
The_Cat
Senior Member
The BRT may also take the southbound lane.
Gronk!
Senior Member
Gronk!
Senior Member
dkazzed
Active Member
If we had to go back in time and debate whether to build the Walterdale as it is right now vs. a simple bridge, I would choose that big arch 10x over. Easily an amazing visual add on to our skyline photos. I just hope they don't let any of the steel ever get into a state of disrepair.