Ian Mulder, Untitled

Artist Background: Ian Mulder was born in Ottawa in 1978 and has studied art, design and architecture at a number of universities including the University of British Columbia, University of Alberta, the Middle Eastern Technical University and the University of Toronto. He currently operates Mulder Design Studios in Toronto where he focuses on public art and design projects. Mulder uses the experiences he has gained abroad to influence his philosophy about living spaces and urban architecture. He believes buildings in Edmonton area created on a ‘need basis’ with little thought to the community or architectural design. Having lived in Australia and Europe, Mulder feels Edmontonians live separated from their communities and only come outside of their social circle during Festival time. He hopes community art projects will enhance this feeling of togetherness within Edmonton.

The Varscona Theatre is one of Edmonton’s major live theatres and the central hub for the city’s Fringe Festival. The structure used by Mulder for his mural is a 60 foot tower that was historically used for drying firehoses. The mural began in 2004 and was finished in 2009. During the daytime people can see the multicoloured painted boxes adorning the tower and at night Mulder has installed an LED light curtain to provide a completely different artwork while in the dark.

My Thoughts: I strongly agree with Mulder that Edmonton doesn’t have a good community vibe outside of Festival season. Other than on Whyte Ave, many of the neighbourhoods within the city just feel like spaces people occupy while trying to get to their destination, instead of communities with their own unique experiences to offer. While I am not particularly drawn to the mod-style colour blocking of the mural, I think it matches the mid-20^th Century feel of Whyte Ave very well. I have yet to see the LED lights but I will have to go and check it out when it is dark. (Darkness? What is that? I love these long summer days!!)

Have you seen the LED light design? What do you think of this mural or Mulder’s philosophy about Edmonton? Post your comments below or on the facebook page! This Mural is on 83 Ave between Calgary Trail and Gateway Blvd. 

Catherine Burgess, 'Return'

Artist Background: Catherine Burgess was born in Ponoka, Alberta in 1953 and obtained her BFA from the University of Alberta where she worked closely with Peter Hide, a modernist sculpture veteran. For the past 30 years her primary focus as an artist has been working with steel and mixed media sculptures. She currently lives and maintains a studio in Edmonton and has been a part of over 25 solo shows and over 60 group shows during her career. She isn’t a stranger to public art and has created 4 public works, 2 of which are in Edmonton, including ‘Return’.

This commission was added to Jasper Avenue in 2001 and falls in-line with Burgess’ sculptural themes of geometric, simplified shapes. The work is 20 feet tall and the 390 aluminum rings are individually cast and arranged into the three twisted columns.

My thoughts: The dark, twisted metal reminds me of old, industrial machinery so I find it compliments rather than clashes with the historic façade of the Union Bank Inn. The symmetry of the piece gives the work a quiet and stoic feeling – something that is often present in Burgess’ sculpture. I think this works well with the busy and ever-changing Jasper Ave.

Let me know what you think of this work! It stands by the Telus building at Jasper Avenue and 101 Street, right by the Central LRT station.