Talus Dome is there for a reason
12-02-27 9:48 AM
Talus Dome is there for a reason
BY JOHN MAHON, EDMONTON JOURNAL
FEBRUARY 27, 2012
The Talus Dome sculpture sits near an on-ramp to the Quesnell Bridge.
Photograph by: John Lucas, The Journal, File, Edmonton Journal
Re: "It takes balls to get a city talking," by David Staples, Feb. 22.
I'd like to thank David Staples for continuing the conversation around Talus Dome, the city's latest
public art installation.
I don't expect to convince anyone to not have strong, sometimes critical opinions about public art in
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Talus Dome is there for a reason
12-02-27 9:48 AM
Edmonton. I don't even want to put a damper on the debate.
I would, however, like to add some context to the conversation about the location of the artwork.
Talus Dome is site-specific. That means it was conceived of and created specifically for that space.
City engineers identified a handful of legally and structurally sound places for the artists to choose from
as a location for the artwork. The artists walked the sites and chose this one.
Talus Dome was designed for that particular slope, and more importantly, it is about the area in which it
has been placed. It relies on its context to give it meaning.
Before the Quesnell Bridge was constructed, talus forms of earth (the inspiration for the Talus Dome)
would have naturally occurred along the slopes of the river valley. The artwork reminds us of the
landscape that has been altered by the more rigid, controlled construction of the bridge to meet the
human need to traverse the obstacle of the river.
Public art has an incredible impact on defining and redefining space. When it appears in overlooked or
neglected places, it makes us see the space in a different way. To our minds, an off-ramp or an onramp is a kind of non-place. Talus Dome is making us see it as a place.
But is it a place for art? There will be much more to contemplate in the spring, when the landscaping is
complete and there is more foot traffic and cycle traffic on the trails. It takes time for perceptions to
change.
There is not a single piece of art, music, dance or theatre that will make everyone happy. Love it or
hate it, the debate itself is public art fulfilling its purpose. We are seeing our surroundings in a new way.
John Mahon, executive director, Edmonton Arts Council
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