Wreck City, the public art display installed in and around nine homes in the northwest community of Sunnyside, is officially over.
In January, local artists were granted permission to impose their artistic vision on crumbling, old homes in the 800 block of 5 Ave. N.W. that were slated for demolition.
Approximately 100 artists worked on the project, creatively transforming the houses, garages and even a greenhouse, into pieces of art.
The artists tore out walls, hung swings, built slides, and pushed their creative freedom to its limit. The fruits of their labour were on display for the general public for a period of nine days.
According to the project’s curator, Wreck City’s legacy will be determined over time, but she is pleased by Calgary’s support of the temporary works.
“It is hard to quantify success for Wreck City,” says Wreck City curator Caitlind Brown. “If someone remembers it in a year, it is a success. We had 10,000 people (view Wreck City), that stands for something, especially for an independent creative art project.”
“I think this made a little bit of history.”
The homes are scheduled to be torn down in May and will be replaced by a 115-suite residential complex.
With files from Bill Marks
