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Glenbow Museum and TORODE Give the Upside Down Church a Home in Calgary
September 5, 2008 CALGARY, ALBERTA – Glenbow Museum is thrilled to welcome a sculpture by internationally acclaimed artist Dennis Oppenheim to Calgary. Thanks to a partnership with the TORODE Group of Companies, the sculpture, titled Device to Root Out Evil, is being installed in TORODE’s new development in Ramsay, one of Calgary’s most historic and artistic neighbourhoods. The six metre tall artwork was delivered on a flatbed truck this morning to its new home and installation began immediately, with the steel and aluminum frame erected today and the intricate Venetian glass shingles to be installed over the next few days. To download event images please go to glenbow.org/oppenheim. The sculpture is on loan to Glenbow Museum and TORODE from its owner John Bromley of Vancouver‐based Benefic Group, a boutique firm focused exclusively on servicing the benevolent sector. Upon agreeing to facilitate the loan, Glenbow held extensive discussions with several potential local arts sponsors to host the installation and finance the artwork’s relocation. A strategic partnership with the TORODE Group of Companies, a Calgary real estate developer, was struck and is being announced publicly today for the first time. The sculpture is being installed on the site of TORODE’s Ramsay Exchange, a billion‐dollar development that aims to transform 21 acres of industrial lands in the heart of Ramsay into a thriving mixed‐use, pedestrian‐friendly community. “Like Glenbow, TORODE has proven itself to be a champion of arts and culture in this city,” said Glenbow President and CEO Jeff Spalding. “Glenbow’s role is to engage, excite, challenge, and inspire our audience, and we are thrilled to find a partner who shares in this vision.” First showcased to the world in 1997 at the prestigious Venice Biennale, the New Englandstyle country church balancing on its steeple was designed by New York‐based conceptual artist Dennis Oppenheim, whose pioneering works have been exhibited worldwide by such institutions as London’s Tate Gallery and The Museum of Modern Art in New York City. “The opportunity to showcase this significant work of art by such a globally celebrated artist is a huge win for Calgary,” said John Torode, president of the TORODE Group of Companies. “This city is lucky to have visionaries like Jeff Spalding and Glenbow who recognize that Calgarians not only can handle critical conversation and debate, but welcome it. They believe in elevating Calgary to a sophisticated, progressive city with a world‐class cultural landscape.” The sculpture’s new location at Ramsay Exchange incorporates dynamic elements juxtaposed in a fascinating interplay – an idyllic, contemplative spot on the edge of an energetic development which provides an ever‐changing backdrop in the heart of an eclectic and storied community – something that is embraced by both Glenbow Museum and the Benefic Group. It is also fitting for the community of Ramsay, long known for being the creative soul of the city, a place where artists live, create and sell their work. These strong community roots in support of art and culture in our environment make Ramsay an ideal home for this public artwork. Today’s momentous announcement follows in the footsteps of many milestones for arts and culture in Calgary. In the last several months, Glenbow Museum has sent a clear message that art is a primary focus for the institution. And Canadians have taken notice. Since December 2007, Glenbow has received almost a thousand works of art, donated by art dealers, collectors and artists from across the country. This flood of donations is Canada’s way of saying it supports Glenbow and its vision to showcase visual art. “We believe this is the time for us all to dream big, to be excited about what is happening in the arts in our city,” said Spalding. “By bringing this sculpture to Calgary, Glenbow is again, firmly demonstrating our commitment to art, culture and history and we know many people support our efforts, here at home and around the world.” In early June, Canadian artist Micah Lexier was announced as the winner of a $1M international invitational public art competition held by the TORODE Group. His imaginative conceptual design of a half‐kilometre long ‘scribble’ will be installed in late 2009 at arriVa, the landmark condominium development in the heart of historic Victoria Park. In addition to Ramsay Exchange and arriVa, TORODE has committed to incorporating public art in its many other developments and projects in Calgary, which are expected to be announced in the near future. ABOUT GLENBOW MUSEUM ABOUT TORODE ABOUT BENEFIC GROUP ‐30‐ To access event images, please go to glenbow.org/oppenheim For more information and interviews, please contact:
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