Wishing Well, a controversial and at times dangerous public art piece, has found a safer home in Calgary’s NE community of Bridgeland..Described as a multi-sensory interactive piece, Wishing Well was created by renowned artists from Living Lenses of San Francisco at a cost of $559,000 to the City of Calgary through the city’s public art program..The sculpture is a reflective stainless-steel orb that splits open in the middle to reveal a seed. It weighs 2,200 kg and stands 3.88 metres tall and 5.36 metres wide..Originally placed outside the Genesis Centre in Calgary’s NE, the sculpture became too interactive when its reflection of the sun’s rays condensed into laser-like beams that burnt a hole in the jacket of a nearby observer..City councillors debated engineering reports suggesting a repair to the sculpture would cost taxpayers an additional $180,000 to reduce the reflective hazard..Then Ward 5 Coun. George Chahal said, “it was a popular piece of art and it was quite nice, but it was burning people; art should not attack people,” as reported by the Calgary Herald..Councillor Sean Chu, a critic of the city’s public art program, suggested it be placed somewhere inside and out of the sun..After being deemed unsafe in 2014, the art piece was moved into storage by the City of Calgary where it sat for the better part of a decade..With the application of a non-reflective coating to the interior of the sculpture eliminating its reflective risks, the City of Calgary announced it will partner with JEMM Properties to relocate the orb to Bridge Square NE in Bridgeland in June..Wishing Well will be moved from storage and installed at the 285-unit mixed-use residential building where its orientation and placement next to a high-rise condo building will limit its exposure to the sun’s rays..“Relocating public artwork takes significant planning and relationship building,” said Jennifer Thompson, manager of Arts and Culture at the City of Calgary..“This partnership with JEMM Properties is a good example of our new direction for public art and paves the way for more collaborations with our local private sector.”.“This has been a genuine collaboration with the city and the community and together we found an achievable way to get this spectacular sculpture out of storage,” said Edan Lindenbach, principal of Land Planning & Development for JEMM..“There were open minds all around the table during our discussions with the city and that positivity got us to an exciting re-homing strategy that will see Wishing Well enjoyed by Calgarians..“It’s kind of a come-back story — a win for the environment and a win for the community in getting people engaged with a landmark art piece. We’re pleased to have lent a hand by providing a safe and suitable location.”.Ali McMillan, former planning director for the Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association also supports the addition of “Wishing Well” to the new location and said it “brings a vibrant and interactive public art piece to Bridgeland alongside a beautiful building that will house more new neighbours and amenities.”.“I am so pleased with the collaboration between government and private industry for a creative solution that benefits The City, JEMM Properties, and Calgarians,” added Ward 9 Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra..“Very pleased to be keeping this important public art piece in NE Calgary and ensuring a rad home in a rad Ward 9 neighbourhood.”.Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
