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The banners flying on six bridges leading into Calgary's core and the Olympic Plaza pergola are being cycled out as new artwork is selected. The colourful creations by artists Mary Haasdyk and My-An Nguyen will remain in place for one year.
The banners celebrate the concept of bridges as connectors to people and places across the City. Each image draws on a traditional method of communication integral to Canada's history. Haasdyk and Nguyen worked on the designs over the course of 2015 and 2016. Nguyen developed the environments depicted in the banners while Haasdyk imagined the characters living within them.
"As an illustrator, storytelling is something I’m always thinking of in my work," says Haasdyk. "These banners have a playful side, but they merge that with the idea of showing the viewer the value of connecting with other people and our community."
Nguyen says the duo didn't want to just portray traditional environments, but embed a fantastical and surrealistic element in them. "We also wanted a sense of celebrating our City and aspects of our history," adds Haasdyk. "We hope that the public will see the beauty and the value of our city and our community in these pieces."
The Centre City Banner Program commissions local artists to create artwork placed on six bridges leading into the core and on the Olympic Plaza pergola as gateways to Calgary's downtown and cultural district. A jury selects a different artist every year and assigns them the task of creating a new look and story to welcome visitors to the core. The program has now been in effect for over a decade.
