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NEWS: Man tries to lure teen near Oak Bay High /A2 COMMUNITY: Happy Birthday Canada /A3 ARTS: Painted pianos add to arts culture /A8
OAK BAYNEWS
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Wednesday, July 2, 2014
vicnews.com
ARTS LAUREATE SPREADS CULTURE
EYE ON ARTS Bullrushes stand strong, appearing only slightly out of place, catching the light on Beach Drive. It’s the vision of artist Illarion Gallant, who loaned the sculpture to Oak Bay for the summer as the community dips its toes into the public art pool.
Christine van Reeuwyk Reporting
O
Christine van Reeuwyk/News staff
Landscape artist Illarion Gallant with his Bullrushes art installation. He loaned the piece located on Beach Drive to Oak Bay for the summer. “You could see someone painting here, or singing an aria,” she said. “This is a good spot for an art space.” Her vision includes five art spaces linked by 20 standalone pieces. “It draws attention to it … people can see what’s possible,” Gallant said. “It provides a cycling tour, a walking tour. It provides an anchor in Oak Bay for people to do a tour of Oak Bay,” she added.
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All about bullrushes
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Christine van Reeuwyk/News staff
Nathan Scott’s The Landing went up at municipal hall last week.
ak Bay’s arts laureate Barbara Adams conjured up the pilot project this summer that will include three sculptures, three pianos and a Gracepoint remnant, all placed throughout the community to introduce residents to the joy of public art. “It’s her vision, and she’s really taken the concept of public art and made it a reality for the summer to show the community it’s possible,” said Janet Barclay manager of recreation program services for Oak Bay. The three artworks including Bullrushes are on loan for the summer by the artists themselves. Bullrushes is on Beach Drive at the foot of Landsdowne Road; municipal hall lawn will hold Nathan Scott sculptures and Chris Paul will install a piece near the Oak Bay Marina. Adams’ hope is for each of those sites to become art spaces, part of her overall goal to see 25 permanent art installations in Oak Bay.
Saanich artist Illarion Gallant starts with drawings. With the details just right, he copies and expands, then has the final product created using water jet cutting. Bullrushes is a leftover piece from a similar field installed in Chestermore, Alberta. “It’s just a model for a piece I’ve been working on,” said Gallant with a chuckle. “I made it for my wife. She owns all my sculptures. I had to borrow it from her.”
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