. public art
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Counting Crows “Counting Crows” is based on a traditional English rhyme, which was used to predict ones fortune according to the number of crows seen. The rhyme is presented in circular fashion, printed on the inlaid tile at the base of the piece. Pictorial symbols are also represented to enhance the piece: mirth (the sun, with the logo of the Coney island amusement park), happiness (the eight of hearts), gaiety (the nine of clubs), a new moon (n new beginnings), and of course, the pointing fingers counting the crows. By Evelyn Grant 2001.
Aesop’s Fables Set in the Baptist church garden, this imposing 10-foot concrete obelisk contains four bronze relief panels on each of its four sides. The panels each contain a different visual representation of an Aesop’s Fable. “Aesop’s Fables are particularly delightful because animals are substituted in the place of humans and therefore apply to all of us, regardless of race, gender or social status.” By Garry Williams 2002.
Bird of Spring by Abraham Etungat at Connaught Park “Bird of Spring”, 1981 is a copy of an original soap stone sculpture by Abraham Etungat currently in the collection of the Glenbow Museum. In 1981 the Devonian Foundation obtained permission to cast two large bronze versions and a fibreglass version. The fibreglass version was situated on 7 Avenue for many years before being moved to Devonian Gardens where it was also placed for many years. The Devonian foundation gifted the work to the Civic Art Collection. Devonian Gardens is now undergoing renovations and the work was re-located to Connaught Park.
Light, the Universe and Everything by artist Jeff de Boer This sculpture, commissioned for Hotel Arts Complex, is a part of the now-defunct developer TORODE’s commitment to becoming a leader in promoting art and culture in Calgary. Celebrated local artist Jeff de Boer, with his team, created this steel and multi-coloured light sculpture sitting 18 feet (6 metres) high from 144 overlapping plates that connect to each other. Between each plate is a space that is filled with Plexiglas and LED lights. About the ArtistJeff de Boer is a Calgary-based multi-media artist with an international reputation for producing some of the world's most original and well-crafted works of art. With an emphasis on metal, he is best known for such bodies of work as suits of armour for cats and mice, armour ties and sword-handled briefcases, rocket lamps and pop culture ray guns, and exquisite high art, abstract works called exoforms 
Half K 'Half K' is a proposed sculpture by Toronto artist Micah Lexier that has not yet been realized. The sculpture was commissioned in 2008 by the Torode Group of Companies as part of its $1-million Arriva Public Art Competition. Half K, was selected from an international invitational list of art proposals. It features a 500-metre-long drawing that encompasses a heritage schoolhouse (the Victoria Bungalow School) on the site of Beltline's Arriva complex. Stay tuned for more information . . .
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Chippendale Meets Machine Aesthetic Chippendale couch adds a touch of whimsy to 4th Street by reconfiguring an antique couch and placing it in a modern street setting using contemporary materials and colours. This familiar and classic design has been redesigned to suit public use and pedestrian traffic. An antique brought to the masses in the form of textured metal with two concrete cushions and a laser cut cat. By Karen Ho Fatt 2004.
Hand Signals Five articulated hand gestures point out towards the street from the wall, spelling the word DREAM in sign language. The gestures can be read from both traffic directions and form a hand gesture language metaphor. The sculpture suggests an implied “activity” echoing the exchanges among people along the street. Derek chose the wall of the K & W Audio building as the background for his high-tech contemporary artwork. By Derek Besant 2003.
Shimmering Aspens Aspens are emblematic of our Alberta landscape and Bill has expressed the elements of these majestic and colourful trees in a contemporary context. Elements of movement and colour reflect the natural qualities of Aspens and the kinetic design of his sculpture allows it to move gently in the wind. The leaves, created from lightweight polyethylene, are brightly coloured to express the changing seasons and the translucent quality of the material captures sunlight. This sculpture invites a connection to nature by providing elements of these majestic and colorful trees in an urban setting.
Horseman of the Plains by Louis Philippe Hebert "The Horseman of the Plains" statue was commissioned as a memorial for those Canadians who fought and died in the Second Boer War. The Boer War was a defining event in Canadian history as it was the young Country's first military involvement overseas. For the first time, Canadian forces fought alongside the British Army against Dutch settlers in South Africa. About the ArtistLouis Phillipe Hebert was one of Canada's earliest world class artists. Born into a large farming family in rural Quebec, Hebert left home at an early age to join the Canadian detachment of the Zouaves (the army of the Pope). During his year in Rome, he encounters the rich sculptural history of Europe. When he arrives home, Louis Phillipe Hebert begins sculpting and joins Quebec Sculptor Napoleon Bourassa in his studio as an apprentice. He he works for several years, working mainly on wooden religious figures for the church.
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