University - The Arts

I went into University just after I finished getting my diploma.  It wasn’t so much a thing that I wanted for myself, but it was the common thing to do with high grades and scholarships. 

So, why not?

Such a mentality is what usually gets me into trouble.  I spent two years on campus studying the Arts before I realized that my opportunity to get a job would be quite low – especially compared to the cost of tuition and books.  I took an English Major with an Art History Minor.  To enhance my artistic skills, I figure I take some Art and Design as well.

That was very foolish.

My perceptions were ill received in the academic world.  Perhaps I wasn’t as worldly as my instructors or peers.  I was taught that art is expression.  As far as expressions go, people have a myriad of different opinions which makes art a topic for debate.  Ideally, my notion was that a debate allows people to broaden understandings and explore differing perspectives.  My mentality on this matter didn’t mesh well with the others.

I spent most of the time on the outskirts of discussions to avoid causing ripples in their minds.  When my work was reviewed, it was often to try to get me to leave the class.  So, my experience with being educated on how to create art was unfulfilling and disappointing. 

I somehow passed, but I didn’t draw for 2 years thereafter.

There are a few misconceptions I’ve sorted through since my time there.  Contrary to the academic rules, there’s no right or wrong way to produce art.  There is no right or wrong way to express ones self.  There is, however, a way to offend and a way not to offend people with art, but there is no way to have everyone like the same piece of art in the same way. 

It’s more about who’s the weak link, and how do we destroy them.

It wasn’t an inquisition, but it was a harrowing. 

My whole concept of educated people and the quality of education was skewed.

Now I read an article in the paper almost weekly about budget cuts to the arts programs.  Somehow, I still find it disconcerting.

 

Sincerely,

 

Angel and the Stickmen

The Talus Dome - Edmonton

As I go out to experience our City, it’s difficult not to notice the shimmering mound off of the Quesnell Bridge.  On my way to the Zoo earlier this Summer I was able to take a closer look at this controversial $600 000 eye sore.  Up close, it’s easier to enjoy it, though I figured it wasn’t a well travelled area on foot.  So, I figured it’d be a good topic to investigate. 

The results were interesting. 

Vandalism

Twitter Abuse

General Hatred

Alien Shit

Methinks there has to be worse things than alien pooh.  Though, I’ve found few reactions to this artwork more humorous.

I understand that it’s difficult to accept unfinished work – especially a public piece.  I’d be the first to criticize Edmonton for some of its choices, but a culturally stagnating city isn’t a good thing either.  Something is better than nothing on the artistic front.  Though seemingly contradictory, I’d like to clarify that, my last entry about 1-3 million dollars on a lit bridge seems to me to be less like art and more of a waste of money. 

With the Talus Dome, I’m not so convinced that it’s a useless drain of money on the developing Edmonton landscape.  However, I’m also not so convinced that the current $600 000 cost is justifiable – especially being unfinished.  The Talus Dome came into existence in 2011, and on February 21, 2012, John Mahon was quoted to say, “Let us finish it, and let it sit there before you decide it should be moved. I’d ask people for a year or a little bit more. It’s like a good stew. It’s got to settle.”  Typically, I would agree that new things take time to accept and enjoy, but it’s now August of 2013. 

If it’s indeed going to be finished, I would much like to view the finished product as opposed to at least 2 years of built up disdain.  We’re left with this lingering taste of disgust due to our misplaced anticipation of a completed monument.  To an outside viewer, the Talus Dome is still perceived as a poorly located shiny pile of balls rather than a representation of natural beauty as shaped by the river valley surrounding.

The level of thought placed into a piece of art work meaningful and befitting our City is clear.  Talus formations accumulate by collected sediment typically natural to river valleys – hence the placement in the river valley where natural Talus formations would exist.  Rather than being amidst more naturally occurring scenery, the structure is located just off of a highway – incidentally where many commuters with varying artistic backgrounds travel. 

It can’t help but be openly scrutinized as a result.

My concern is less with the appeal or location and more with the cost.  $600 000 is a hefty sum.  I was surprised to find no breakdown of where this money came from, so I did some poking around.  All of the below can be located online with a simple search of key terms.

The Talus Dome is comprised of 316L stainless steel from California.  316L indicates the grade of stainless steel used.  It’s among the highest durability and quality available, and it costs roughly $7000-$9000 in USD per ton.  I can’t find any details regarding the total mass of the dome.  So, identifying the cost of the materials isn’t possible without guesswork.  Though, with our harsh weather, the selected material is certainly ideal to battle against time.

Next, the construction began with a wood frame.  The balls were able to fall and form naturally before being welded into place.  At 30 feet high with no experience in metal working or wood framing, I can’t surmise the length of time needed to weld 900-1000 steel balls together or cost to construct a sturdy enough frame.

Remaining variables include the transportation of raw materials and the dome itself.  Without knowing where the items began, again, difficult to estimate.

My last variable – my primary curiosity - was the fee for the artist.

I have a theory on these things regarding transparency.  If people understand exactly where their tax money goes, in a way that they’re able to justify an expense, than it’s easier to accept.  Typically though, people aren’t that interested in the flow of money. 

The Talus Dome is identifiable and shiny – an easy target.

As many of us learned in school, it is easy to pick out the unique people.  It's not easy to see the effect they will have on the world.  I could say the same for the Talus Dome. 

Though, someone else could say the same for a lit up bridge too.

 

Sincerely,

Angel and the Stickmen

Money Well Spent

Greetings my lovelies,


I've decided to comment on the news today.  I've realized in writing the following, that I'm not always on the side of the pretty things.  There is a practical side to my mentality which some of you may find humorous.  The following, is an opinion on a small aspect of the current state of my home city Edmonton Alberta.

 

I don’t usually read the news, because things come to my attention that crawl beneath my skin.  However, there are times that I become curious about the world I live in and what the others are up to. 

 

People don’t usually understand why I don’t follow reports or developing stories, and it’s a difficult thing to describe.  The best way I can say it, is that being part of this world embarrasses me.  Though, it’s becoming more apparent to me, that ignoring the things I don’t agree with doesn’t effect a change.  So, I've begun to pay more attention to see where I can fit into the world as less of a neutral.

Allow me to give you an example of what I mean.

I live in Edmonton the City of pot holes, litter, homelessness, and murders.  As I was reading our local paper, it appears we’re looking at being the City of an LED lit high level bridge costing 1-3 million dollars. Contrary to the article, this is not a great idea.  A lit bridge serves no other purpose than a plain bridge.  Lighting it takes a functioning piece of infrastructure and makes it look a little bit less like an eyesore from the people within viewing distance. 

As an artist, perhaps I should be able to appreciate the aesthetic.  I can understand adding some color and creativity to this City.  I can’t fathom why we’d light up a bridge that people would supposedly almost bust their suspension trying to see...  Actually, who travels to see a bridge?

How much of an actual attraction would a colorful bridge be?

Are there not more pressing matters to tend to than a drain on tax payer dollars and the electrical grid to make a bridge look pretty?

Let’s get the local graffiti artists free reign on the bridge.  It won’t cost anything.  It’ll be a changing landscape.  For those of you that don’t like graffiti artists, some of them may - in fact  - die from a fall.  This trend of fatalities may prevent graffiti on the bridge altogether.  Mother Nature will wash the bridge off, and we’ll be right back to the exact same spot.

Why?

It’s still just going to be a bridge.  It could look nicer, but it's still going to work like a bridge.

Regardless...

It’s embarrassing that the state of our cities infrastructure is struggling.  It’s embarrassing that we can’t drive to work without losing our cars in a sink hole due to neglected roads – you guys with the big trucks have ground clearance going for you.  It’s embarrassing that our police force lacks the funding to obtain proper training and put a dent in the plethora of murders, homicides, and suspicious deaths that have dubbed us the Murder Capital of Canada.  It’s embarrassing that we have so few viable ways to help our fellow humans gain a functioning role in society. 

 

It’s especially embarrassing that an article about spending a metric fuck ton of money on a lit bridge is viewed as a great idea.

 

Sincerely,

 

Angel and the Stickmen