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— It’s really out there
You don’t need to pay admission or head indoors to a gallery to experience art in East Village. A program called Art in the Public Realm has brought permanent art installations to our outdoor spaces, as well as revolving installations that feature temporary artwork by local artists.
Permanent Installations
Julian Opie’s computerized pop art features LED-animated figures continuously strolling through mini street scenes. Promenade, East Village’s first permanent public art installation, reflects the endless flow of the Bow River that it overlooks and the continuous movement of life through East Village.
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Calgary artist Ron Moppett’s brightly coloured mosaic wall has transformed Riverfront Lane into an outdoor art gallery. Take a break at a nearby bench while you check out the five massive panels of SAMEWAYBETTER/READER, which illustrate the early days of the area.
Christian Moeller’s iconic outdoor three-piece sculpture, TRIO, is installed on the Central Library’s east and west outdoor plaza spaces. The colourful, captivating pieces bring a playfulness to the library experience – a delightful sense of arrival and wonder for all visitors to enjoy, especially children. Each piece measure nine to 10 metres tall and moves like a pendulum to create a visual choreography.
Bloom by Michel de Broin is the third permanent art installation in East Village. de Broin was inspired by the natural landscape of St. Patrick's Island and the surrounding urban cityscape. The monumental sculpture of streetlights blossoms at night, softly lighting the island and watching over it.
In the middle of Crossroads plaza is the Wheel of Women, a ground-level installation that celebrates women of influence throughout the city’s history. The large tile circle at the south base of the bridge contains the names of thirty notable Calgarian women and their contributions to our city.
Featured local artist
Cassie Suche is a contemporary abstract artist from Calgary, Alberta whose work is expressed through various mediums, from large scale murals to copper tile to steel sculpture and beyond. Her practice explores repetition and meditative processes through abstract imagery. Cassie’s work is distinguished by the linear and modular forms repeating through her pieces.
A graduate from Leeds College of Art in Yorkshire, England, Cassie’s work has been shown across North American and Europe. East Village became home to Cassie’s public art in 2022 with Touch Traces, a series of 10 works that adorns bridge abutments and other surfaces along Jack & Jean Leslie RiverWalk. Cassie is represented by Ashley Mulvihill (Toronto, ON) and Paul Kuhn Gallery (Calgary, AB).
Temporary Installations
Touch Traces – Created by Calgary artist, Cassie Suche, Touch Traces was completed in the summer of 2022 and is the fifth public art installation on bridge abutments and other surfaces along RiverWalk. To create the work, Cassie collected hundreds of fingerprints sourced from the East Village community, layering and distorting the one-of-a-kind prints to create contemporary, abstract images that speak to our individuality within a community, and our tactile connection to others and to our surroundings.
Corridor of Connection – Calgarian Michelle Hoogveld explores themes of connectivity, community celebration, sport and gathering in her Corridor of Connection mural at the 4th St SE Underpass. The themes not only depict the story of East Village’s transformation but also the emerging vision for east Victoria Park as Calgary’s Culture and Entertainment District. The artwork enhances the literal connection between the two communities and is an Instagram favourite.
Device to Root Out Evil – Making its return to Calgary on a 5-year loan after travelling the world, Device to Root out Evil is currently home to 5th Street Square. Dennis Oppenheim’s upside-down country church with its steeple thrust into the ground and base raised up high, as if to invite scrutiny from the heavens, is one of the most recognized sculptures in the world.
Honouring Life Givers North to South - La Morena and bb iskwew chose to collaborate with BUMP on a mural that celebrates the power of lifegivers. This team is a north meets south collaboration honoring matriarchy and womanhood. Featuring a portrait of Alanna Bluebird, who is a Tsuut’ina(Dene) and Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) woman this mural honors the matriarchal connection to the land Mohkinstsis.