Mitchell Doran decided to personally inspect one of the plastic rocks valued at $100,000. “I prefer to see something first before passing judgment,” Doran mentioned during his interview with CBC. “What if it turns out to be amazing, and then I have to retract my comments?”
Doran visited Diefenbaker Park to view the new public artwork called “Modern Erratics,” which comprises three large sculptures resembling boulders made from recycled plastic. Despite his general support for public art, Doran was unimpressed and expressed his disappointment on social media following his visit.
He emphasized the importance of investing in quality art and criticized the perceived lack of artistic merit in “Modern Erratics.” The installation, made from over 4,500 kilograms of recycled plastic including various materials like bottle caps and grain bags, was placed at different locations in Saskatoon.
Not only Doran, but other members of the public also expressed dissatisfaction with “Modern Erratics,” which was unveiled in June. The City of Saskatoon responded to the strong reactions by releasing a statement defending the project’s $310,000 budget and providing additional project details.
Tristan Surtees, one of the artists from Alberta involved in creating “Modern Erratics,” described the artwork as an opportunity for reflection on our place in contemporary society. He highlighted the importance of considering the materials used and their impact on the environment and society.
Doran criticized the presence of corporate branding on some of the bottle caps used in one of the rocks and questioned the decision to hire artists from Alberta instead of local artists. Despite the controversy, Doran acknowledged that the cost of $300,000 for three sculptures was not excessive compared to art projects in other cities.
Funded through the city’s public art policy, “Modern Erratics” aimed to enhance city infrastructure visually through art. City officials emphasized the project’s focus on waste reduction by repurposing discarded materials into aesthetically pleasing objects, thereby extending their lifespan and reducing environmental impact.
Public opinion on the artwork remains divided, with some like Heather Smith appreciating the initiative and finding beauty in repurposing waste into art. Smith expressed her excitement about exploring all three sites of “Modern Erratics” and participating in what she described as a scavenger hunt to locate the sculptures. She hopes that people will recognize the value of public art, even if they have differing views on what constitutes art.