Saturday 31 January 2009

Ring Gear

Saturday is Public Art Day on VDP, usually.

A couple of weeks ago I featured the yellow crane on Granville Island that had been included on the Public Art Registry.

This ring gear is also public art. Twenty-five years ago the old Cambie St. Bridge (officially the Connaught Bridge) was replaced by the present bridge. The old bridge was a swing span which allowed vessels in and out of False Creek which was heavily industrial until about 1984. This gear was part of the mechanism that moved the centre span of the bridge. 

Installed: 1987

11 comments :

Hilda said...

History, industry, art. I like it!

Virginia said...

I don't know how I feel about that gear being "Public Art". I think it's rather interesting but maybe I'm nitpicking about the definition of art. Hmmmm. I do know that you managed to get a great shot of it! Goes with my red railing today, which is NOT public art.:)

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

i want to go on this roller coaster ride. Really, it looks great.

Debbie Courson Smith said...

It's recycled art, a really good thing!

Anonymous said...

I've known men who see art and beauty in pieces of engineering equipment. I don't get it, but still, I'm sure there's something to it.

Anonymous said...

A great pic. Those 2 colours work so well together. Again, unsure about the Public Art tag, but certainly of historical value and pleasing to the eye. Perhaps that is the answer.

Walker said...

Great art capture. I also love the pictures that show the setting and context.

Laurie Allee said...

On its own -- I don't get it. But your shot of it is a work of art.

Anonymous said...

I really like this picture - it's a really good angle. And great colours.

-K- said...

It's public art in general that I don't get. It's always 'art by committee.' But this - and maybe it is because I'm a man - I do get. When the object has been stripped of it mechanical function, there's something left that is a little poignant. Plus, seeing the precision of the cogs is a little refreshing, so non-chaotic.

Anonymous said...

You know K, maybe I do get it now. A little.