Chairs on Ice - Land artist in Hot Water

By Paul Constable

Recently Michael Hosaluk received a $450 fine from the city of Saskatoon for installing 4 chairs on the ice in the South Saskatchewan River, which flows through the city. It was all part of his recent exhibition, where he extended his public gallery space and installed chairs throughout the city, culminating with his show at the Mendel Art Gallery.

I remember seeing the 4 chairs in question on my way to the Mendel Opening in January and wondered how someone got them out there, as the north side of the river is all open water. The maple chairs were standing back from the edge of the ice in random fashion. A few days later I noticed they were gone and wondered, who took the chairs?

Not knowing what to expect at the Opening; I initially thought it was one of those ice flow lotteries, where you buy a ticket on the date you figure the chairs would be swept away by the spring thaw. Well, the city's Fire and Protective Services removed them, probably for potential safety reasons, as the chairs' could be potential bait for Hosaluk artifact seekers, who may fall into the river. The river has been used as a gathering place for many events, festivals and demonstrations for over 100 years. This is another one of those special moments. Finally a happening that out weighs the 1000's of yellow plastic ducks that raced their way to the weir and their demise.

Now, let's weigh out the scale of this dastardly deed. In comparison, a billboard that distracts a driver's attention could potentially cause a fatal accident. Should the sign-company be fined for this installation or the city for allowing the sign? Now, the city's Power Station is up river - so the river doesn't freeze over, even when it's been a very long cold winter. I ask, is this not in need of some kind of citation to deter a potential tragedy? If the river was frozen there would have been no problem. The city knows this open water is an issue every winter, so where are the safe guards, hazard signs or fence that should be erected along these open bodies of water?

Funny, I never gave it much thought until those 4 chairs were removed from the ice.

People were in a buzz about the installation at the gallery, possibly one of the best shows in years. I heard a few artists talking about the chairs around the city and on the river ice. The city in their floundering wisdom, seem to have chosen to make an example of this artist on his choice of public venue. Although probably unintended, he received more than enough press to justify this icy installation. It is one way to get off the Arts Review page and onto the front page in the local paper. Reactionary art requires risk taking, so you shouldn't be upset with the consequences, because that is part of the process. Action begets reaction and this time it worked. Hosaluk understands this and has said he would pay the $450 fine.

I figured a warning would have sufficed and I am sure he would have taken it to heart. Here is a gifted artist who is actually trying to get people to notice and appreciate the space they live in. It's time to wake up Saskatoon. Everyone is watching. Saskatoon was voted Cultural Capital of Canada for 2006.

Michael Hosaluk's exhibition 'Containment' continues at the Mendel Art Gallery until April 2, 2007. www.mendel.ca

Reader's Response

Just wanted to let you know I enjoyed your article in the Mendel newsletter about the chairs on the ice, brings back memories of the early 1950's in Saskatoon. Some friends and myself were down at the river and came across some wooden crates, straw and cardboard someone had dumped there from an organ. Anyway we piled it up all nice and neat like, set fire to it, pushed it out and watched it float down river and never gave it another thought. That evening, it had made headlines in the paper - fire dept., police, photog's all asked what is it? We never said a word. I wonder what the fine would have been? That was our form of artistic expression - fire on water.

Leonard

Photos by the Mendel Art Gallery and the Saskatoon StarPhoenix

Paul Constable is the Director of Artists In Canada. He is a Painter / Printmaker and Art Director for an Advertising and Communications company in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Paul Constable can be reached by email HERE.

His paintings may be viewed at:
www.ArtistsInCanada.com/pconstable.