Urban Mixer Blog

On Monday, March 3rd, Qualex Landmark Projects Inc. invited members of the public to witness the unveiling of “weathervane,” Vancouver’s newest public art which will be located at Vancouver’s newest landmark residential high-rise, Pomaria.

The event took place at Il Giardino restaurant and included hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Only a block away, Pomaria is located at 1455 Howe Street.

Commissioned by Qualex-Landmark through the Vancouver Public Art Program, Rodney Graham, one of Canada’s most celebrated artists, makes a significant contribution to the growing catalogue of Public Art in the City of Vancouver. Graham represented Canada at the 1997 Venice Biennale, was a 2001 DAAD Fellow and received the Kurt Schwitters-Preis in 2006. His international solo exhibitions have been staged at the Whitechapel Gallery, London and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.

Check out the original release and additional photos courtesy Immedia PR after the jump.

The original news release:

NEWS RELEASE

For Art’s Sake: Canada’s Newest Public Art Piece Makes Its Vancouver Debut

Pomaria developer Qualex-Landmark brings original, iconic sculpture by renowned Rodney Graham to downtown Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver, British Columbia (February 29, 2008): Vancouver’s newest landmark residential high-rise will be home to the Canada’s newest important public-art installation.

Pomaria developer Qualex-Landmark has commissioned a work by renowned Canadian artist Rodney Graham. Titled Weathervane, the piece will find a permanent home on the third level of the award-winning building - which was lauded Best High-Rise Development at the 2007 Urban Development Institute Awards.

Weathervane makes its debut off-site on March 3 at a private-preview unveiling reception.

Commissioned by Qualex-Landmark through the Vancouver Public Art Program, Rodney Graham, one of Canada’s most notable artists, makes a significant contribution to the growing catalogue of public art in the City of Vancouver. Graham represented Canada at the 1997 Venice Biennale, was a 2001 DAAD Fellow and received the Kurt Schwitters-Preis in 2006. His international solo exhibitions have been staged at the Whitechapel Gallery in London and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Montreal.

Local art curator Jane Durante, of Durante Kreuk Ltd., who helped bring Weathervane to Vancouver says, “It is a real achievement for Vancouver to be home to a work by a Canadian artist as celebrated as Rodney Graham.”

A partial list of the individuals who have been responsible for bringing this work to Vancouver would include:

• Rodney Graham and studio staff
• Roger Navabi and Mohammed Esfahani, Qualex - Landmark
• Foad Rafii, Rafii Architects Inc.
• Robert Kleyn
• Donald Young, Gallery of Chicago
• Dick Polich, Tallix Foundry in New York State

“There are many others who have been involved in bringing this surprising and brilliant work to the Vancouver art scene, too,” says Durante. “Our thanks to all.”

Roger Navabi of Qualex-Landmark comments that his company was pleased to be able to contribute to the range of public artwork in Vancouver. “The team at Qualex-Landmark wanted to share its passion for ingenuity and the highest of standards with the entire city of Vancouver,” he said. “We are thrilled to contribute this piece of art, not only to Pomaria, but to everyone in the city of Vancouver.”
Media Contact:
Laura Serena
Immedia PR
604.408.6511