Fourth Plinth West project

Published: June 1, 2013

Time flies! chART public art marpole is now into its second summer.

After several successful public art projects over its first year, including – Bench’d: Where Worlds Collide, Show Me How, Cloud Coordinate bus shelter transformation, and Limelight: saturday night – chART is introducing its latest art creation.

Through the participation and support of Art Knapp Plantland, Emily Carr Artist Lloyd Stone, chART has unveiled its latest public art project: Fourth Plinth West.

The Fourth Plinth was an empty plinth in London’s Trafalgar Square that had been designed in the 19th century and intended for an equestrian sculpture that was never built due to lack of funds. The plinth sat unadorned for 150 years.

In 1998, the RSA and Mayor of London established the Fourth Plinth Programme, featuring temporary artistic works curated by a judging panel, including input from public comments.

chART public art marpole’s Fourth Plinth West has been inspired by London’s successful program, and the first Plinth Artwork is now on display outside Art Knapp, on Granville at 71st Avenue.

The temporary artwork is entitled Caducus, and the sculpture evokes the fragile sphere of earth and its vegetation, combined with ‘crudeness, an ugly beauty that threatens collapse.” The plinth is on wheels and is moved in and out daily by Art Knapp’s supportive staff.

This first Fourth Plinth West installation will last the summer months. In the fall, a new Emily Carr artist and Marpole BIA member business host will be chosen. We welcome your expression of interest in this project, should you wish to steward the Plinth in fall 2013 or next spring 2014.

The five year Marpole Public Art project is a collaborative partnership between the Marpole BIA and Emily Carr University. The Fourth Plinth West project is also generously supported by the Research Council of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities.

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