Marc Boutin, "Memoryscape"

About the Artist: Marc Boutin is the founder and head of the Marc Boutin Architectural Collaborative in Calgary. The 7 person collective is interested in blending art, architecture and urban design into their creations. Their work has been applauded both internationally and abroad and they have received numerous awards including the Architecture Award from the American Institute of Architects and the 2002/2003 Prix de Rome in Architecture. Boutin also works as a Professor of Architecture at the University of Calgary where he states he is passionate about "the intersection of teaching and research as practice."

"Memoryscape" was completed in 2013 as a commission by the City of Edmonton. The City worked with the Edmonton Arts Council to select an artist best suited for the work. The piece was created in tribute to the many military families living in and around Edmonton. Boutin said he wanted the piece to discuss the story of the soldier as both a peacekeeper and as a key figure in his or her local community and home-life. The piece consists of 9 steel boxes of varying size with perforated holes creating an image of Canadian soldiers and their families. The site for the work, situated at the back of City Hall on 104 Ave, was selected because it is the route soldiers take when they leave and return home from service.


My Thoughts: I noticed this work for the first time a few months ago and was curious what sort of story it was trying to tell. I like the fact that the work is dedicated to the dual life led by military soldiers at home and on tour. Being located at City Hall, particularly where it can be easily seen by the military, is also appropriate because of the large number of military-related events and ceremonies that take place at City Hall and on Churchill Square. That being said, I wish the work had been placed in a larger green-space, perhaps in the large front lawns of City Hall of the Square. Being tucked right next to the large building means the work is dwarfed and often missed. Also, I think the drilled holes and textures in the steel would look interesting in the sunlight. Unfortunately, due to the location of the piece, it only receives shade for most of the day.

Neon Sign Museum - 104 St and 104 Ave

Museum Info: We are taking a different route today with YEGallery. Instead of looking at a work of art, I will be featuring the Neon Sign Museum that opened this winter on 104 Street and 104 Ave. The City of Edmonton purchased 12 neon signs and refurbished 8, which can now be seen on the side of the Telus building on 104th. The city said they wanted to focus on industrial signage that saw the development of Edmonton over the past 90 years. Some of the businesses that can be seen include the Canadian National Railway, Mike's Newsstand and the Pantages Theatre. Each sign has a fascinating story discussing the provenance of the sign and the history of the institution. Many of the signs are from the earlier part of the 20th century, including the large Drug Store sign that may have a connection to one of the first neon signs in Edmonton, purchased in 1928. The City of Edmonton's website has a fantastic page that outlines the history of each sign as well as the ideas behind the project. It can be found here: http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/edmonton_archives/neon-sign-museum.aspx

 The museum is a result of a partnership between  the City of Edmonton, the Alberta Sign Association, Telus, The Places and the Downtown Business Association. The project has been in the works since 2008 as an element of the 104 Street revitalization project, helping to return the industrial heritage area into a local hotspot. The goal of the museum is to encourage residents to visit the museum and talk to each other about the history of the city and the development of the downtown core. The city is hoping the museum will grow beyond its current display. There are plans to refurbish the remaining 4 signs and the city has put out a call for the donation of more heritage signs in the hope that they will be able to add to the gallery in years to come.

My Thoughts:  There are few things I love more than turn-of-the-century industrial architecture. 104th and the surrounding streets are my favourite part of the city. Being able to see little tidbits of history hidden in with the contemporary buildings always feels like finding a hidden treasure. As a result, I was so incredibly happy when I saw this project being finished back in February. It can sometimes feel like history is hard to come by in a boom town so the effort to recognize some of the companies that helped to develop this city 100 years ago allows viewers to see Edmonton's development as a liner progression through time. Also, I really appreciate the full detailing of the history of each sign on the City's website. Not everyone has access to grandparents or other elders who grew up in Edmonton to tell them about each company. The site helps to turn the site into a functional, educational museum instead of just a novelty.

What do you think? Do you love this new sign project as much as I do? I am curious to see if the city adds more signs to the museum!