The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives significantly over the past year and a a half but there is relief in sight as people get vaccinated and as things open up again as part of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen.  How we consume the arts and culture is one of the things that has changed the most as we binge watch television, stream movies, listen to Spotify playlists and seek out content online and through social media.  Those experiences fill a need but they’re definitely not the same as coming together in-person at the movies, concerts, museums or galleries.  Something that hasn’t change is our ability to get outside, which means public art has really come into its own as a result of COVID-19. 

Public art—whether it be murals, sculptures, installations or performance—offers the opportunity for people to participate in the arts safely, while adhering to public health guidelines like physical distancing. It’s the same all over the world as people have found ways to connect with art and with each other doing simple things like going for walks, exploring their neighbourhoods and interacting with what they discover along the way.  Public art is unique in that it brings art, artists and audiences together within parks, public squares and other shared spaces.  The experience of public art can also help us think differently about our world and, during COVID-19, it has become a way to explore big issues and to provide artists with paid work as other things have shut down. 

The Bentway: Rethinking public art amidst COVID-19  

In New York and More, Public Art Is Taking on Thorny Social Issues  

In Kingston, the City’s Public Art Program first approved in 2015 is marking a milestone year in 2021. Through this Program, three new permanent public artworks are being unveiled for the first time in over 40 years when installations like "Time" by Kosso Eloul, "Pollution" by Yves Cozin and "Tetra"  by Ted Beiler first appeared. Temporary public art projects have been appearing with increased frequency in recent year—including a new city-wide project titled Art all Around that engages 20 local artists in an installation on Kingston Transit bus stations that responds to the question “where do we go from here?”—but 2021 is exciting because now larger permanent works are being unveiled that supports arts-based placemaking that “is an integrative approach to urban planning and community building that stimulates local economies and leads to increased innovation, cultural diversity, and civic engagement.” (Project for Public Spaces).

Horse and Cart by Nicholas Crombach, Victoria Park, 2021.  Photo supplied by artist.  

The first public artwork to be unveiled in 2021 is a sculpture called “Horse and Cart” by Kingston-based artist, Nicholas Crombach. This playful work references an old-fashioned children’s tricycle from the horse and buggy era when Victoria Park was established. Victoria Park was identified as a site for public art as it was undergoing renewal and redevelopment and the sculpture—which measures 15 ft in length and 7.5 ft in height—aims to bring local history to life and to engage the imagination of park users.  You can also watch a timelapse video of the sculpture being installed produced by the artist here.

The second public artwork is “Manidoo Ogitigan” (“Spirit Garden/Jardin spirituel”) by Terence Radford, a contemporary artist working in painting, sculpture, photography and multimedia installation, and owner of Trophic Design, an aboriginally owned and operated landscape and architectural practice. “Manidoo Ogitigan” is a unique, living, public artwork that commemorates the historical and contemporary ties between Alderville First Nation and the Katarokwi/Kingston region. Developed over three years through engagement with the Alderville community, it creates an intimate gathering space for reflection, ceremony, and teaching in along the shore of Lake Ontario.   

“Manidoo Ogitigan” (“Spirit Garden”) by Terence Radford, Lake Ontario Park, 2021.  Photo by Chris Miner. 

The third and final permanent public artwork to be unveiled this year is part of The Hub Project that has been evolving at the intersection of Princess and Division Streets and connecting the adjacent neighbourhoods in new and creative ways. The artist selected to create this permanent public artwork is contemporary Canadian artist Brandon Vickerd who was selected by a jury for his proposal, “The Wilds of Kingston”, that consists of two bronze figures that appear to be people leisurely going about their day; however, upon closer inspection, the figures reveal themselves to be extraordinary characters with the heads of a pigeon and a squirrel. This playful artwork is scheduled to be installed this fall and aims to celebrate the energy of ‘The Hub,’ creating a lasting landmark and adding a new character to this part of Kingston. 

“The Wilds of Kingston”, work in progress. Photos supplied by the artist. 

Public art can reflect and reveal our society, add meaning to our cities, transform our public spaces and spark learning and ideas. In celebration of the power of public art, an Arts Walk has also been launched this summer that promotes public art along the waterfront, throughout the downtown core and farther afield in neighbourhoods, the suburbs and rural areas. Public art matters, perhaps now more than ever, and the City of Kingston’s Public Art Program is meant to surprise, delight and challenge people in unique and creative ways across the city.