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Saskatoon 'Garbage' Art Draped Over With A Tarp (TWEET)

'Garbage' Art Trashed In Saskatoon

A Saskatoon resident fed up with two bales of waste that have been placed on a street corner as part of a public art project has taken it upon himself to make his own statement.

Last Sunday, Luke Coupal put a black plastic tarp over a work of art titled "Found Compressions One and Two" by artist Keeley Haftner with a sign that says, "Our tax dollars are for keeping garbage OFF the streets," CBC News reported.

The art had been placed at the intersection of Avenue C and 33rd Street as part of the city's Placemaker Program, whose aim is to enhance civic spaces within commercial areas.

The piece, which cost the city $4,300 to put up, was created by wrapping valueless plastics from Saskatoon's Loraas Disposal in cellophane and stacking them one on top of the other, according to a statement.

The work "gains consideration as an artistic object by merit of its having been chosen by the artist."

But for Coupal, "It's literally two compressed bales of garbage.

"For anyone who has seen this piece of artwork, you'll agree instantly that this is not achieving the objective of beautifying the city and improving the commercial area."

The tarp has been removed, but Coupal's act reflects the feelings of a number of people who find it unsightly.

Judy Denham, the owner of the Saskatoon Flag Shop, which is located down the street, said she was initially excited to hear that the area would receive a piece of public art but was disappointed with the result.

"When I first saw the piece set on its post, I kept waiting for someone to remove the saran covering I thought was the protective wrap of the sculpture," she told The National Post.

Coun. Darren Hill, who represents Ward 1 on Saskatoon city council, said reaction to the art has been overwhelmingly negative, though he added that people's impressions may be coloured by the area's reputation as a dirty part of the city, The Star-Phoenix reported.

"Art is supposed to evoke an emotion or reaction from people, and this has certainly done that," he said.

"If the artist’s attempt is to encourage a few people to recycle or to consider recycling, I believe she’s accomplished that."

In a statement on her Tumblr, Haftner said that the artwork has been successful because it has promoted discussion about public work in Saskatoon.

"I believe that the most recent reaction to the work is a strong indication of this," she said.

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