Michael Le Grand sculpture adorning Civic Square

Another addition has appeared today johnboy. Not sure what it represents, I wasn’t enthusiastic enough to go and look closer

INFP said :

Is there a description from the man himself, Le Grand, regarding what this piece is about or why he created it to be as it is? I am genuinely curious what his own intention/interpretation is.. (i’d like to believe it has more beauty and meaning than I am seeing… or not seeing)

its a formalist abstract sculpture so it doesn’t really mean or represent anything, it just exists for its own sake (I think)

creative_canberran said :

You know, I was walking through Civic today, from West Row, down through the bus interchange into the Canberra Centre via Garema Place and Petrie Plaza. I walk that route several times a week and what I observe never changes.

People of questionable mental stability in the filthy gutters, sometimes getting up to harass people for money. The paint peeling off the older buildings, broken glass and a vast array of stains on walls and pavement. Alley ways emit foul odours only some of which can be explained by the unsightly dumpsters. Garema Place is a vast expanse of dull, uneven pavement with ugly streetwares and tatty buildings, ringed in clogged roads and filthy service ways.

Frankly central Canberra is a filthy, dated and and lacking any modern character. Not the impression one gets strolling the Geelong waterfront where the vision is a clean one, old buildings look charming not decrepit and public art blends in nicely.
This is just shallow, try hard BS that dresses stale mutton as a modern city. Fail.

What he said, in Spades.

But what can we do to fix it?

I’m glad the artist was aware of the potential use of the artwork by skateboarders. A good artist knows that once they put their work out there it belongs to the public – for better or worse.

Can’t help but agree with comment #3 though. The Government seems intent on not only trying to polish a turd, but decorate it too.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/skateboarders-damage-civic-sculpture/2097949.aspx

According to the CTimes, skaters had started grinding on it within a few hours of its installation. Could have seen that one coming…

I don’t mind it. But how long before someone tags it?

i like it, doesnt look like it can be stolen by drunks.

Is there a description from the man himself, Le Grand, regarding what this piece is about or why he created it to be as it is? I am genuinely curious what his own intention/interpretation is.. (i’d like to believe it has more beauty and meaning than I am seeing… or not seeing)

If I wanted a pretentious sounding surname I’d call myself Le Grand too…