In November, local artist Cairn Cunnane installed Our Fence, a public art piece in Bingham Park at Dalhousie Street. The City of Ottawa’s Public Art Program allocates one percent of major infrastructure project budgets towards funding public art, to enhance the spaces and make art accessible to everyone. Bingham Park is in close proximity to the Sussex Drive Reconstruction project, and it was agreed to locate the project’s public art commission in a nearby park in the surrounding neighbourhood.
In early 2014, the City’s Public Art Program invited artists to submit proposals and a peer assessment committee chose Mr. Cunnane’s proposal based on evaluation criteria that included experience of the artist, site integration, reflection of the profile and character of the community, and sustainability.
Our Fence is a 60-metre long sculptural fence boarding the eastern edge of Bingham Park. The fence curves around the existing hedges and trees emulating a flowing river or pathway. The stainless steel fence depicts the shapes of residents, playing children and trees. Another notable feature is the gate archway at the corner of Dalhousie and Cathcart streets that welcomes residents to the park. Our Fence is a wonderful and inviting addition to Lowertown.