The artwork that sparked debate even as it went up last year in Estevan village leaves Friday for Palm Springs.
The Nose Knows goes April 20 with a party.
The piece by Burnaby artist Ron Simmer went up at the entrance to Lokier Garden, at the intersection of Musgrave Street and Estevan Avenue as one of 13 sculptures in ArtsAlive 2017 and was mired in conversation from day one.
It inspired letters to the editor of the Oak Bay News, local politicians and to Oak Bay Arts Laureate, Barbara Adams.
“[Simmer] created this distinctive piece to remind us to safeguard personal privacy against intrusion,” says Adams. “It inspired some heated debates in Oak Bay about public art and what is and isn’t art. Our committee was pleased the sculpture got the community talking to each other about art. Kids especially seemed to like it.”
The work suffered vandalism last summer and sported a ‘stache for Movember.
“There’s going to be a going away party for the nose because it has become a real part of the Estevan community whether you love it or hate it,” Adams says.
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Everyone’s invited for cupcakes, coffee and selfies to say farewell to the controversial sculpture Friday April 20 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the site near Lokier Garden.
The Nose Knows is on its way to a public exhibition in Palm Springs, California. The ArtsAlive 2018 jury selected Douglas Taylor’s kinetic Nautilus Sail to replace it. Taylor also created the Bodhi Frog wind piece that graces Willows Beach near the Esplanade. That work from the 2017 ArtsAlive stays in place as someone purchased and donated it to Oak Bay.
Love it? Hate it? The Nose Knows is leaving #OakBay and you're invited to say farewell: Friday April 20 10:30-11:30am just outside Lokier Garden (Musgrave Street & Estevan Avenue), in Estevan Village. Enjoy free @Crumsbys cupcakes & coffee. #thenosegoes @RecOakBay @MayorNils pic.twitter.com/E7z8NQlMek
— Michelle Kirby (@MichelleKOakBay) April 13, 2018
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