Before showing off the top floor of the tallest building in Kelowna, a 27-foot public art display outside of the One Water Street towers was also unveiled on Wednesday (Sept. 22).
The cast aluminum sculpture named 91裸聊视频淯rsa91裸聊视频� 91裸聊视频� which stands 30 feet above the ground 91裸聊视频� was created by Toronto-based artist Pierre Poussin. The abstract, ribbon-like sculpture is a bold outline of a grizzly bear, which Poussin said is a homage to Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 name, ki蕯l谩wna蕯, an Okanagan word that translates to male grizzly bear.
91裸聊视频淭he grizzly bear plays a significant role in the creation stories of the Syilx and Okanagan people, symbolizing strength, power and courage,91裸聊视频� said Poussin. 91裸聊视频淚n my conceptualization of Ursa, I wanted to create a sculpture that honours, celebrates and symbolizes the majestic beauty and significance of the grizzly bear.91裸聊视频�
The $300,000 sculpture consists of five sections, and Poussin said it took about five days to create its design. He went back and forth with fabricator Michael Bilyk of Lafontaine Iron Werks for a month to tweak the outline. It took about six months for the sculpture to come to life, with the finishing touches coming earlier this month.
Ursa91裸聊视频檚 curves, he added, parallel the curves of Lake Okanagan.
91裸聊视频淲hat is your experience when you look at this? Do you see the bear? Did it take you a while to see the bear? Because that was the goal, to take you a little bit of time to see the bear,91裸聊视频� he said.
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Mayor Colin Basran said that public art is a vital part of building a vibrant community.
91裸聊视频淎rts and culture is so important 91裸聊视频� maybe more important than it91裸聊视频檚 ever been, in light of coming out of this pandemic. Recognizing that we need to be kinder, more understanding of each other and our backgrounds, and really just supporting one another,91裸聊视频� said Basran.
91裸聊视频淎 great way to do that is through arts and culture.91裸聊视频�
He commented on the site of the One Water Street east and west towers, saying that the former 91裸聊视频� which was completed this past summer 91裸聊视频� has lived up to its expectations.
91裸聊视频淚 really think that what (North American Development Group) created here is something special. I want to thank you for your investment in our community,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚 think that that investment is again another example of the great things that are happening in our community.91裸聊视频�
All but one of the units in the tower have been sold, with the remaining unit being a penthouse worth $12 million located on the building91裸聊视频檚 36th floor.
Henry Bereznicki, the managing partner of North American Development Group, said that event was a proud day for the development team, highlighting that over 500 people call One Water Street home.
91裸聊视频淥ne Water Street is located at the north end of the arts district. We thought the best way to honour the city of Kelowna and its residents was to commission and present this piece of public art to the residents of Kelowna,91裸聊视频� said Bereznicki.
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aaron.hemens@kelownacapnews.com
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