Winners of the 2024 Winter City Design Competition announced
The City of Calgary, in partnership with Chinook Blast, is excited to announce the winners of the 2024 Winter City Design Competition.
Congratulations to 1000 Faces, (p)arc and Fancy Meeting You Here, whose submissions demonstrated their talent in reimagining public spaces during a Calgary winter, creating captivating and interactive exhibits that push conventional boundaries. Their designs were chosen out of more than three dozen submissions.
For the past three years, we have invited the design community to experiment with outdoor spaces and re-imagine a winter experience that entices people to head out, linger and explore the heart of our city. “We are so excited about the 2024 winning teams and to partner with Chinook Blast,” said Kate Zago, The City’s project lead for the Winter City Design Competition. “The winning installations are amazing examples of creative and immersive designs that will definitely have people talking.”
Patti Pon, Chair of Chinook Blast and CEO and President of Calgary Arts Development, shared the enthusiasm: "Chinook Blast is excited to celebrate the 2024 Winter City Design Competition winners with The City of Calgary. These exhibits embody the spirit of Chinook Blast, transforming winter into a season of excitement and exploration. Get ready to engage with these designs!"
1000 Faces: A Mesmerizing Symphony of Nature
- · Location: Eau Claire promenade near 6 Street SW
- · Dates: Jan. 24 to April 20, 2024
Renowned artist Alejandro Figueroa, winner of prestigious events like the VR contest at the Phi Center in 2016 and ArtWorkTO 2021, leads the masterful creation, 1000 Faces. This mesmerizing installation, suspended on a 40-foot high arch, comprises 1,779 plexiglass tiles moving independently to mirror nature's rhythm. Canadian artist +AMOR collaborates with Calgary-born artist Dillan (King Aurorus) to produce an original soundtrack. 1000 Faces showcases the transformative power of public art, blending contemporary creativity with nature's beauty and local cultural influences.
(p)arc: A Warm and Welcoming Experience
- · Location: 228 8 Avenue SE
- · Dates: Feb. 2 9, 2024
Designed by Jonathan Monfries and Madisen Killingsworth, (p)arc offers a visually stunning, tactile, and interactive experience as users traverse through the installation. Acting as a gateway to Olympic Plaza, the design focuses on sustainability, minimizing landfill material, and supporting inclusive artistic programming. With previous exhibits at Chinook Blast events and festivals like Works Art + Design, Taste of Edmonton, and the Edmonton Street Performer’s Festival, the (p)arc team continues to captivate audiences.
Fancy Meeting You Here: Engaging Place for People to Gather
- · Location: Historic Fire Hall # 1 Courtyard (140 - 6 Avenue SE)
- · Dates: Feb. 2 to Feb. 19, 2024
Fancy Meeting You Here, designed by The Communication + Design Lab, has been imagined as a catalyst for engagement encouraging people to stop, connect, and linger during the winter months. The intent of the installation is to transform a dark and overlooked space in downtown Calgary with an interactive lighting design that provides a warm and responsive place for people to gather. Bring your friends, make new ones and discover how your presence impacts the space!
The competition is part of The City’s Winter City Strategy, which strives to celebrate Calgary’s unique winter opportunities, extend Calgary’s festival and event season, find ways to improve safety and accessibility and improve the economy, especially in our downtown core – during the winter.
For more information and visuals of the winning designs, visit Calgary.ca/wintercity.