City officials plan to remove an east end street art installation for fear it may further damage an historic bridge. But first they’d like to speak with the artist.
“We're just worried about any further impact to the bridge structure itself, really thinking about moisture buildup in and behind the tarp material,” explained Danna Evans, the city’s general manager of culture and recreation. “I think there's no immediate risk today by any means, so it is great to be able to stop and have the conversation with the artist.”
The work, known as ‘Demolition by Neglect’ from street artist Lionel, saw McQuillan’s Bridge – found on Stone Road East – wrapped in orange material last week in an effort to draw attention “to the precarious state of a cultural icon and popular pedestrian crossing,” a news release from the artist explained. “Once a vital link for horse-drawn carriages and farm traffic, the bridge now stands as a silent sentinel, its weathered concrete bearing the scars of indifference and neglect.”
Lionel caught wind of the city’s plan to tear down the installation and sent an email labelled “cease and desist” to the head of the city’s legal department on Friday morning.
“I respectfully request that you cease and desist any such actions until a thorough public consultation can be conducted,” wrote Lionel, who also sent a copy of the email to GuelphToday. “This consultation is crucial for considering the community's voice and the artwork's cultural, historical and artistic value.”
Evans said the city has reached out to Lionel intending to have a conversation about when the installation will be removed, but stressed that it needs to come down.
As of Friday afternoon, that conversation hadn’t taken place.
“From the culture and heritage side, we appreciate the passion and the commitment (of Lionel),” said Evans.
Constructed in 1916, the bridge is owned by the City of Guelph and was designated for protection under the Ontario Heritage Act in 2004.
