A new public art installation proposed for Victoria has sparked debate over the merit and interpretation of city-funded artwork.

defended the inspiration and design of the sculpture that incorporates a series of colourful surfboard-type arches mimicking the silhouette of an orca at city council last week.

The $250,000 sculpture complements an interactive sound element of First Nations drumming and singing created by the cityB次元官网网址檚 Indigenous artist-in-residence Lindsay Delaronde.

The art will be installed near the cityB次元官网网址檚 downtown waterfront, and Councillor Ben Isitt questioned the simplicity of the sculpture and its ability to reflect the Indigenous history of the land.

B次元官网网址淛ust when I look at the art, it B次元官网网址� doesnB次元官网网址檛 feel like thereB次元官网网址檚 a recognition of the local Indigenous context,B次元官网网址� Isitt said. B次元官网网址淥ur artist in residence has done great work on a number of projects and IB次元官网网址檓 not convinced this meets the mark, but IB次元官网网址檓 open to being convinced.B次元官网网址�

Other councillors advocated adding a plaque to explain the meaning behind the artwork.

B次元官网网址淛ust to look at it, I couldnB次元官网网址檛 relate to it as well as when the artist in residence described it and once it was described it brought on a different meaning,B次元官网网址� said Charlayne Thornton-Joe.

Ramsey said the sculpture is not intended to be an Indigenous artwork but a creation of his own reflecting the natural environment surrounding the bustling coastal city and the vessels, such as paddle boards, people use to connect with the water.

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B次元官网网址淔or me itB次元官网网址檚 about exploring simplicity in art and trying to convey something that has a meaning and a definition to it,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址漈o me this is paying reverence to nature and showing this creature that is coming up in an area that is full of a lot of transportation and activity. This is not necessarily a site that you go to but it goes with you it moves with the activity around it.B次元官网网址�

The art installation is part of a larger landscaping project for the waterfront sparked by the construction of a new bridge that is slated to be completed in March.

While the elements of the artwork were debated, Councillor Marianne Alto said itB次元官网网址檚 not up to the city to determine or define what is Indigenous art.

B次元官网网址淚 want to caution us to remember that the context in which weB次元官网网址檙e speaking here is around art,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e need to be cautious about relying on our own interpretation of what reflects Indigenous art and Indigenous history and Indigenous currency.B次元官网网址�

She said the fact that Delaronde and other Indigenous people on the cityB次元官网网址檚 public arts committee weighed in on the project ensured diverse perspectives were considered.

B次元官网网址淚 want us to make sure we are not imposing our own expectations and interpretations on what is Indigenous by assuming that this is not sufficient or that we need to add another layer,B次元官网网址� she said.

The design was ultimately approved by council and that element of the landscaping project is expected to be completed in 2018.

The Canadian Press

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