Go

The Work

This dynamic sculpture, suspended high above the main entrance to a community sports facility, is made of highly-polished stainless steel, studded with jewel-like orbs of blown glass. Its kinetic form refers to the fun and energy of movement and sport.

The sculpture consists of a gently spiraling 12m long, 10cm diameter stainless steel spine, supporting a playful array of steel coiled tubes, hoops, spheres, ribbons and spirals. The highly reflective surface is the result of hundreds of hours of hand grinding and polishing by the artists. The mouth-blown glass orbs were created by Cheryl Hamilton in collaboration with experienced glass artisans, specifically for this project. Go was fabricated in transportable segments in the studio of ie creative Artworks, located on Granville Island in Vancouver.

The Project

Go is the result of an $80,000 commission by the City's Public Art Program in April 2003. Thirty-six submissions were received, including 9 from Okanagan artists and 21 from artists located elsewhere in British Columbia. The work was installed in July 2004.

The Artist

ie creative Artworks is artist Cheryl Hamilton and scientist Michael Vandermeer, who in 1994 merged their individual disciplines into a collaborative whole. The portfolio for ie creative includes major installations in important public venues such as Vancouver's Science World, Pacific National Exhibition, International Airport and BC Children's Hospital.

Cheryl Hamilton is a conceptual artist known for her superb draughtsmanship and visual ingenuity. Her work incorporates a wide range of media including stainless steel, glass, wood and paint. She graduated from the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in 1990 and has pursued a fine arts practice since then. Her paintings and sculpture have been exhibited at galleries and public spaces internationally.

Michael Vandermeer is a scientist who complemented studies in nuclear physics with a career in art and design. His knowledge of electrical and mechanical engineering is at the heart of his advanced exhibit design and kinetic wizardry. His many inventions include a robotic ball-tosser for dogs and rain-cloud umbrellas that rumble and flash with simulated thunder and lightning.

Other works in the City’s Public Art Collection by i.e. creative are Standing, Leaning, and Reclining, and Zephyr.

Viewing

The theatre lobby is accessible only during scheduled events. If you would like viewing at another time, please call the theatre office at 250-469-8506.