A public art installation called Bambini has drawn criticism from the community over its design and $650,000 cost.
Despite complaints from people all over Ottawa following the installation of a new gateway sculpture in Little Italy called Bambini, designer Chantal Gaudet is not concerned.
“A piece of art is very personal,” says Gaudet, who is a senior landscape architect with the design consulting company Stantec. “It’s new, and people are going to get used to it. We need to respect what they think about it.”
Bambini is a project by the Preston Street Business Improvement Area. The BIA paid $650,000 for the piece after spending years fundraising. Since the installation’s reveal, citizens have been vocal with their concerns over the design of the piece and its cost.
The installation, at the corner of Preston and Gladstone, consists of 11 tall, concrete statues towering over metal benches and granite soccer balls. A banner reading “Viva Italia!” stretches along the piece, with Italian and Canadian flags on either sides. Lights will also be added to the structure.
“I don’t dismiss it, but it does not quite have the wow factor for me,” says Kevin O’Connor, a Centretown resident. Noting that, “$650,000 is a lot of money,” he added: “Time will tell if we ever see anyone actually sitting here, and know that it was worth it.”
Others didn’t mince words.
“I think it’s terrible. It looks ridiculous,” says Sarah Tait, while looking at Bambini. Tait was confused by the meaning of the sculptures, “I’m glad they did something with this corner, but it looks odd.”
According to Gaudet, the themes of Bambini are family, community, and children. She says that the design was inspired by children’s drawings. “The Italians are very family oriented. It’s a part of their culture, and that’s what I tried to represent.”
Lori Mellor, executive director of the Preston Street BIA, said via e-mail that she could “do no further interviews until the Bambini is complete.”
But previously, Mellor said the installation is meant to offer a safe space for people to sit and spend time on the benches surrounding the statues.
Public art controversy is not new to Ottawa. The merits of the city’s public art program have often been questioned. Many people don’t understand the point of spending money on public art.
“The purpose of the program is really to increase the city’s assets and enhance the public realm. It demonstrates civic pride and citizenship,” says Nicole Zuger, the City of Ottawa arts and heritage development program manager. Bambini was not created as a part of the city’s public art program. According to a city council report, it was the BIA’s decision to not go through the public art program.