Proposed location of "Boy Holding a Shark" by Chen Wenling. (courtesy Vancouver Biennale)
A sculpture of a boy holding a melting shark by Chinese sculptor Chen Wenling will not be installed in Vancouver's False Creek neighbourhood after a petition signed by 1,500 residents prompted an internal review by the city.
The sculpture, Boy Holding a Shark, is intended as an environmental statement and is part of the Vancouver Biennale, a public art festival held every two years. But neighbours near the proposed site argued it would drive down property values and questioned the work's aesthetics, among other issues.
Eric Fredericksen, Vancouver's head of public art, said in a statement the sculpture's proposed location, which is frequented by pedestrians and bicyclists, "conflicts with seawall traffic and integration with the surroundings."
The city said it will work with the Vancouver Biennale to find a better location.
Source: CBC News