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It's the Hydrants
Thu Jun 5, 2008 Miss Vicky
The Citizen is reporting that the Wellington West public art award has gone to the 2 Almonte sculptors who propose a collection of stylized fire hydrants. Pics are available here.
Miss Vicky does not know what to say, really. She is disappointed that her pick wasn't selected. And she's even more disappointed that the chosen works are, well, not as dynamic and interactive as she would like to see - unless they've decided to tie dog and bike hitches to them, that is! She would love to hear from some jurors the rationale for picking this proposal over the other finalists. Anyone?
Some people were moved to reply
Er, don't have an answer for you, Vicki, but all I can say is, get ready for some vandalism! (Not meant as a threat, merely a prediction.) Waist level "art" on every block will be just too tempting for anyone with an appetite for destruction. Might as well put a big "kick me" sign on them.
Perhaps the fire hydrant sculptures will provide amusement. They might be confusing to motorists parking in front of them and people might consider the sculptures to be real and illegal to park in front of them.
hm, I never thought of that angle!
The one advantage I see is that they will be unique walking-scale landmarks. Still not sure about the hydrant theme in general though. I heard that the artists were going to Italy for some marble... why not use a local material in this age of carbon-reduction!!
Yeah. I'm not entirely sure what a hydrant theme has to do with our hood, honestly. The first thing that comes to mine re: hydrants, to be truthful, is a dog lifting its leg..
I'm rather disappointed. It sound like something that will do little other than take up more sidewalk space and we have little of that as it is in places. I would have liked to see something replacing those nasty garbage/recycling bins, to be honest. Or something incorporating bike/leash tie-ups or seating. This really sounds like it will be adding little to the 'hood..
ETA: I totally agree with the "wtf?!" on going abroad for materials. If they wanted it to be more representative of the neighbourhood, they should be making them out of bedrock or giant boulders. ;) I've got a few giant ones in my yard I could donate to the cause!
[Edited By liss76 Jun 08, 2008 12:17 PM]
I don't think the 'burg needs phallic-looking hydrants out of expensive material. Artistic benches like Aylmer would be far more useful to our elderly and interesting. Plus we have lots of artists in the 'burg that could use the $$$.