A fairly common form of public art these days is paintings on the exteriors of animal sculptures distributed around the city. I don't know enough about urban politics or art to understand why this has become popular. Perhaps someone can explain it. Victoria's animal choice is the Orca or killer whale and the people in the painting above are on the back of the whale in front of Victoria Visitors Information Centre. Whatever the rationale for this installation I am happy to see so much colour in this season's gray streets. (Added later: click here to see a bunch of urban cows in Madrid.)
I suspect the Orca has been chosen because whale-watching is a popular tourist pastime here. Victoria is one of the few cities in the world where you can view whales in their natural habitat within a half an hour from the Inner Harbour. There are about 15 pods of Orca that live in the area and numerous whale-watching excursions available year round.
9 comments:
Finally I can offer you a piece of information, rather than the other way around!
These are likely part of the art exhibit that was displayed in Vancouver streets a few years ago. After the exhibit was over, they sold off the different orcas to various people/organizations. There are still a few around Vancouver as well.
What a great idea. Colorful , cheerful , arsty farsty in the streets so everyone can enjoy!
V
I think it started with a herd of cows in New York city and other places modified the idea. Some more successfully that others.
Orca painting is 'so last century'. Vancouver did those years ago. Then they did Grizzly Bears. Toronto did moose at one time and I'm pretty sure Calgary has probably done cows or cowboys or cowboy hats.
There are a few of the Orcas scattered about in lobbies and whatnot but I haven't noticed any painted animals on the streets. Or painted ladies, come to think of it.
Oh Lordy, Canadian turf wars right here folks. Let me run grab some popcorn!
V, I think it only gets bloody when a hockey puck is involved.
And as Joan said, there was a cow-painting craze about five or ten years ago that I saw through a UK photo site. It might be a combination of that meme, as well as the Pacific northwest Indian art style of embellished creatures.
your first commenter is correct, aside from one small detail, the orcas were auctioned off to raise money (I can't remember what for). They have done grizzly bears as well, and are just about to start doing eagles. They're done up by local artists.
Cool! I forgot Victoria had those whales. Vancouver had something like that but I can't remember what it was. Was it whales? I don't remember...
These are great.
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