The City of Calgary Public Art Program installs new public art piece for Windsor Park Fire Station 11
The City of Calgary Public Art Program and the Calgary Fire Department welcomes Canadian artist, Ilan Sandler who will oversee the installation of his piece titled Under the Helmet. The new public art piece for Calgarians to enjoy will be installed this week at the new Windsor Park Fire Station 11 at 5536 4th St. S.W.
Under the Helmet is a large linear aluminum sculpture of a fire-fighter’s helmet that will appear to rest against the station. Installation on the site will take place over the next four days.
“I visited a number of fire stations in Calgary, met with several firefighters, and interviewed them to get a sense of some of the major hurdles they face,” said Ilan Sandler. “I came up with this concept of creating a very large firefighter’s helmet and situating it in such a way that viewers will be able to walk under it and, and in effect, stand inside the helmet when they’re looking at the sculpture.”
The goal of the project was to feature a site-specific artwork that relates to the unique community of Windsor Park, reflects the roles, responsibilities and history of the Calgary Fire Department, and encourages connection to the site by the public.
“Under the Helmet will be a great addition to the Windsor Park Fire Station 11, which is scheduled to be completed later this year,” said Fire Chief Ken Uzeloc. “We hope it will remind citizens about the dedication firefighters have and the sacrifices they make for their job and for their community.”
The piece was commissioned as part of the new Windsor Park Fire Station 11 capital project and mandated by the Public Art Policy. The selection panel that chose the work was composed of five voting members including a member of the local community. They felt the concept was fitting and respectful of the Calgary Fire Department, and appreciated that the public art piece will take a recognisable form, be accessible to many audiences, and resonate with the site and people who work there.
For more information, visit calgary.ca/publicart.