Edmonton Arts District

stinger11 · 09-09-2011, 12:54 PM

As directed from the underground signage located in the Churchill LRT station, the Arts district is located above; but where is it? Once at street level, there is no real feeling of anything artistic. Standing in front of the Cit, looking north to City Hall, all you see is....old grey street light poles and the ugly library building. Unless you already know what activities are being held inside the cit, win, art (but is obvious) you cannot tell that you are standing in an "arts district". Is this someones idea of a joke?

Komrade · 09-09-2011, 12:56 PM

Yer in Alburrrda buddy. A pointy triangle roof is as artsy as we get

Jimbo · 09-09-2011, 01:15 PM

Take a look around. The Art Gallery, the Winspear, the Citadel, ...

IanO · 09-09-2011, 01:17 PM

Funny you mention this... for I am on a new committee to improve general way-finding around the downtown and how the pedways connect to this issue. I will be sure to bring your comment up.

thanks

stinger11 · 09-09-2011, 01:21 PM

Thanks Ian. a little more "art" on the street would not only reinforce the naming of a district, but would clearly make the area more exciting, educational and "fun" to be in.

IanO · 09-09-2011, 01:27 PM

^literally... from LRT entrances to pedway outs maybe we have something embedded or painted on the sidewalk to make people know.

Glyph22 · 09-09-2011, 01:27 PM

Funny Komrade and a little bit true.

But really, stinger, you've missed: (1) The Works (visual arts festival) 2) The Street Performers' Festival 3) general busking activity on the square 3) the AGA (obvious, I know, but not "pointy") 4) the occasional performance by the ESO on the square 5) a general bon vivant feeling on a warm summer afternoon (it is still summer afterall and the square is full of fabulousness right now) 6) tasty food - Pad Thai - ummm

But perhaps you're right...what's an arts district w/o cancan dancers and Jackson Pollack drip painting a 10 x 16 footer and Banksy laying down some graffiti on the side of the ugly old library and a clown pulling pink bunnies out of your ears and and

armin · 09-09-2011, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanO

Funny you mention this... for I am on a new committee to improve general way-finding around the downtown and how the pedways connect to this issue. I will be sure to bring your comment up.

thanks

I have some ideas for wayfinding systems. I'd like to know more about your little commitee thing.

stinger11 · 09-09-2011, 01:47 PM

Glyph22, take away the festivals....which every City has....or from your background of farm fairs in Mundare, I'm talking about impactful art that brings about an awareness of being in a district with elevated distinction. Have you ever been to Chicago?

stinger11 · 09-09-2011, 02:08 PM

Ian, regarding the way finding, I don't think you need "arrows" pointing to anything stating....what it is. My point was to make the area distinquishable on it's own. The area functions nicely, but needs a little Je ne sais quoi! The 118 ave. hookers have nicer light standards to look at than our premier ARTS DISTRICT!

Glyph22 · 09-09-2011, 02:12 PM

Not Chicago, but other metropolises: NY, Paris, Moscow, London, Oslo... oh and Mundare too.

Culture happens everywhere and you're not always going to approve of the results or they're not always going to meet you're particular standard of high/low.

Sorry but you're initial post sounded like a whine. Public art takes money and commitment and a lack of timidity....

stinger11 · 09-09-2011, 02:26 PM

Then a little more....."boldness" in the district maybe appreciated. Nothing wrong with having people from these other Met's, leave our arts district and say, wow, this sure beats Paris! Unless you are proud of what we have now, festivals....

IanO · 09-09-2011, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armin

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanO

Funny you mention this... for I am on a new committee to improve general way-finding around the downtown and how the pedways connect to this issue. I will be sure to bring your comment up.

thanks

I have some ideas for wayfinding systems. I'd like to know more about your little commitee thing.

DBA initiative, we have been meeting since late spring '11.

Feel free to post ideas on here, I can bring them to the group.

Dialog · 09-09-2011, 03:11 PM

One idea for wayfinding: outside of specific circumstances like a subway map (the iconic London Underground poster) colour is a poor choice for wayfinding, it should not be the primary device for establishing location. ETS' decision to have the ends of the LRT system represented by red and green dots is baffling; they take an already culturally-ingrained concept (movement: red=stop, green=go) and recontextualize it to physical location. This has bugged me ever since I saw the signage.

Glyph22 · 09-09-2011, 03:53 PM

Yes, boldness and courage. I agree with you (and I understand fully that festivals are one ingredient, but crowds coming together collectively for a festival or doing their own thing in a shared space adds to the vibrancy of any district). Beaubourg Square in front of the Centre Pompidou for example is a mix of high/low.

As for public art/indicators/markers of space...well here's a shot...I think it was a mistake not to incorporate the northside Churchill LRT entrance into the AGA design as Randall Stout intended. In the long run it would have been worth the money for bold demarcation of space and visual integration alone.

But, if a Parisian, or anyone, makes an unreasonable comparison between cities as disparate as Paris and Edmonton then he/she is a snob or not too bright. We are a small, young city and culture is happening and efforts are being made.

stinger11 · 09-09-2011, 08:35 PM

The Edmonton Arts Council has a number of emerging artists that need a platform to communicate their work. The COE has a 1% for art policy that reaches (only) too new construction & renovation projects. It would be nice to have some cash flow to the district for something really impressive, thought provoking........kind of like the stats at the shaw, maybe even more so. A very good friend of mine, had designed the art along the walkway between the stadium and the LRT station......that may not fit in the district, but you get my point. Agreed, we are small etc.

Glyph22 · 09-09-2011, 09:37 PM

Although I'm not a part of Edmonton Arts Council, I know well that emerging artists need a platform for their work. And (after a rough start for which I take responsibility for my share) I get your point about, shall I say, the visual choppiness of the arts district. An extension of the borealis emerging as a wave/structure demarcating the LRT entrance would be a strong visual tie-in and finish off that corner so to speak. I find the square itselt to be a touch too wide for both the human scale and too "gimmicky" on the west side. Plus - and I respect Darci Mallon and Clay Ellis - but their public sculptures are poorly scaled and/or are poorly situated in the square - probably due to economic compromises. If we want "good" art there can be no compromises because it shows.

From well designed spaces emerge platforms for public art that can inspire because they can be seen and have a chance to conduct the space around them.

I agree.

booster · 04-03-2012, 09:50 PM

A good article about Montreals art district and how long it has taken to get to this point. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle2356678/

09-09-2011, 12:54 PM	#1
stinger11 Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2009	Edmonton Arts District As directed from the underground signage located in the Churchill LRT station, the Arts district is located above; but where is it? Once at street level, there is no real feeling of anything artistic. Standing in front of the Cit, looking north to City Hall, all you see is....old grey street light poles and the ugly library building. Unless you already know what activities are being held inside the cit, win, art (but is obvious) you cannot tell that you are standing in an "arts district". Is this someones idea of a joke?

09-09-2011, 12:56 PM	#2
Komrade Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Beverly	Yer in Alburrrda buddy. A pointy triangle roof is as artsy as we get __________________ facebook.com/BrothersGrimMusic youtube.com/GrimEmpire

09-09-2011, 01:15 PM	#3
Jimbo Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Westmount, Edmonton	Take a look around. The Art Gallery, the Winspear, the Citadel, ... __________________ aka Jim Good; "The sooner you fall behind, the more time you have to catch up." - Steven Wright

09-09-2011, 01:17 PM	#4
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	Funny you mention this... for I am on a new committee to improve general way-finding around the downtown and how the pedways connect to this issue. I will be sure to bring your comment up. thanks __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

09-09-2011, 01:27 PM	#6
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	^literally... from LRT entrances to pedway outs maybe we have something embedded or painted on the sidewalk to make people know. __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

09-09-2011, 01:21 PM	#5
stinger11 Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2009	Thanks Ian. a little more "art" on the street would not only reinforce the naming of a district, but would clearly make the area more exciting, educational and "fun" to be in.

09-09-2011, 01:27 PM	#7
Glyph22 First One is Always Free Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Norwood	Funny Komrade and a little bit true. But really, stinger, you've missed: (1) The Works (visual arts festival) 2) The Street Performers' Festival 3) general busking activity on the square 3) the AGA (obvious, I know, but not "pointy") 4) the occasional performance by the ESO on the square 5) a general bon vivant feeling on a warm summer afternoon (it is still summer afterall and the square is full of fabulousness right now) 6) tasty food - Pad Thai - ummm But perhaps you're right...what's an arts district w/o cancan dancers and Jackson Pollack drip painting a 10 x 16 footer and Banksy laying down some graffiti on the side of the ugly old library and a clown pulling pink bunnies out of your ears and and

09-09-2011, 01:47 PM	#9
stinger11 Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2009	Glyph22, take away the festivals....which every City has....or from your background of farm fairs in Mundare, I'm talking about impactful art that brings about an awareness of being in a district with elevated distinction. Have you ever been to Chicago?

09-09-2011, 02:08 PM	#10
stinger11 Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2009	Ian, regarding the way finding, I don't think you need "arrows" pointing to anything stating....what it is. My point was to make the area distinquishable on it's own. The area functions nicely, but needs a little Je ne sais quoi! The 118 ave. hookers have nicer light standards to look at than our premier ARTS DISTRICT!

09-09-2011, 02:12 PM	#11
Glyph22 First One is Always Free Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Norwood	Not Chicago, but other metropolises: NY, Paris, Moscow, London, Oslo... oh and Mundare too. Culture happens everywhere and you're not always going to approve of the results or they're not always going to meet you're particular standard of high/low. Sorry but you're initial post sounded like a whine. Public art takes money and commitment and a lack of timidity....

09-09-2011, 02:26 PM	#12
stinger11 Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2009	Then a little more....."boldness" in the district maybe appreciated. Nothing wrong with having people from these other Met's, leave our arts district and say, wow, this sure beats Paris! Unless you are proud of what we have now, festivals....

09-09-2011, 03:11 PM	#14
Dialog Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2010	One idea for wayfinding: outside of specific circumstances like a subway map (the iconic London Underground poster) colour is a poor choice for wayfinding, it should not be the primary device for establishing location. ETS' decision to have the ends of the LRT system represented by red and green dots is baffling; they take an already culturally-ingrained concept (movement: red=stop, green=go) and recontextualize it to physical location. This has bugged me ever since I saw the signage. __________________ ‘I am nervous about ideologies, whether it’s the ideology of business or the ideology of Bolshevism. I get nervous in the presence of absolute certainty’ —Milton Glaser

09-09-2011, 03:53 PM	#15
Glyph22 First One is Always Free Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Norwood	Yes, boldness and courage. I agree with you (and I understand fully that festivals are one ingredient, but crowds coming together collectively for a festival or doing their own thing in a shared space adds to the vibrancy of any district). Beaubourg Square in front of the Centre Pompidou for example is a mix of high/low. As for public art/indicators/markers of space...well here's a shot...I think it was a mistake not to incorporate the northside Churchill LRT entrance into the AGA design as Randall Stout intended. In the long run it would have been worth the money for bold demarcation of space and visual integration alone. But, if a Parisian, or anyone, makes an unreasonable comparison between cities as disparate as Paris and Edmonton then he/she is a snob or not too bright. We are a small, young city and culture is happening and efforts are being made.

09-09-2011, 08:35 PM	#16
stinger11 Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2009	The Edmonton Arts Council has a number of emerging artists that need a platform to communicate their work. The COE has a 1% for art policy that reaches (only) too new construction & renovation projects. It would be nice to have some cash flow to the district for something really impressive, thought provoking........kind of like the stats at the shaw, maybe even more so. A very good friend of mine, had designed the art along the walkway between the stadium and the LRT station......that may not fit in the district, but you get my point. Agreed, we are small etc.

09-09-2011, 09:37 PM	#17
Glyph22 First One is Always Free Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Norwood	Although I'm not a part of Edmonton Arts Council, I know well that emerging artists need a platform for their work. And (after a rough start for which I take responsibility for my share) I get your point about, shall I say, the visual choppiness of the arts district. An extension of the borealis emerging as a wave/structure demarcating the LRT entrance would be a strong visual tie-in and finish off that corner so to speak. I find the square itselt to be a touch too wide for both the human scale and too "gimmicky" on the west side. Plus - and I respect Darci Mallon and Clay Ellis - but their public sculptures are poorly scaled and/or are poorly situated in the square - probably due to economic compromises. If we want "good" art there can be no compromises because it shows. From well designed spaces emerge platforms for public art that can inspire because they can be seen and have a chance to conduct the space around them. I agree.

04-03-2012, 09:50 PM	#18
booster Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2007 Location: Belgravia	A good article about Montreals art district and how long it has taken to get to this point. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle2356678/ __________________ My antidepressent drug of choice is running. Cheaper with less side effects!