Water Garden - Public Artwork

Project details

Title of Artwork: Water Garden
Artist: Linda Covit
Location: The Water Cent​re — 25th Ave. S.E. and Spiller Road.
Commissioned by: Utilities and Environmental Protection
Project Completion: 2009

Water Garden is being removed from The City of Calgary's public art collection.

While we strive to maintain artworks throughout their designated lifespan, there are exceptional circumstances when a piece may be removed before the end of its lifespan. Water Garden has not been functional since 2019 due to complex technical issues, including losing specialized parts and expertise. After consulting with the artist and thoroughly exploring restoration options, the decision was made to deaccession the piece due to these challenges.

The next steps will involve disassembling Water Garden and responsibly recycling its materials.

Concept

Water Garden is a sculptural installation located ;in the lobby of The City of Calgary Water Centre. This project uses water to reflect and celebrate the many services of The City's Utilities & Environmental Protection department.

Water Garden visually translates the Water Centre's purpose. Upon approaching the building lobby, the viewer is offered a glimpse of the coloured and clear glass panels and floating bubbles within. The rhythmic placement of the poles installed at differing angles evokes a wooded grove and references nature. The installation embraces the abundance of natural light, offering interplay of light and shadow.

The generous spacing of the elements, the use of clear glass and water and the continuous movement of bubbles contributes to the fluidity and transparency prevalent in the architecture. This juxtaposition of these elements signifies the importance of water to all forms of life, and so celebrates the City of Calgary Water Centre.

The artist

Linda Covit was born in Montreal, Canada, where she lives and works. A professional, self-taught visual artist, her site responsive installations are often concerned with nature and the environment. She has completed public commissions within Canada, the U.S and Japan including a hospital garden installation, peace monument, memorial sculpture fountain and theatre sculpture.

Linda has received grants from the Canada Council, the Japan-Canada fund, the Cirque du Soleil, and the Pollock-Krasner Foundation in New York.

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