THE BICYCLE REVOLUTION
THE BICYCLE |REVOLUTION
Above sculpture is patterned after sculpture in Chinese tomb, and follows Toronto’s size, functionality and safety guidelines
One must ask: Why should a bike stand be build that costs more than 90% of the bikes locked to it? It is because intelligent beautiful art can shift one’s focus; and it today’s world there’s a desperate need for a shift in thinking towards environmental conservation. Danny Beaton, a First Nations Elder who won the 2010 National Aboriginal Achievement Award (NAAA) for protecting Aboriginal communities from environmental destruction, says “bicycles and oil are opposites”. The misuse of oil is the biggest threat to the environment.
William Thorsell, the CEO of the Royal Ontario Museum said the City should have “thousands more of these all over town”. He said it was a “liberating of the creativity’ in this City. The ROM’s press conference celebrated and raised the status of the lowly bicycle; it was covered in four of the major daily papers and extensively on the Internet.
This art form has flowered in many cities in North America: Toronto, New York, Des Moines Iowa, Winnipeg, Ottawa.
Sculptures in LA, NY, Louisville
History in Toronto
Over the past 7 years, with the assistance of the art group at Parkdale Activity Recreation Center [PARC], a center for psychiatric survivors, we have placed 50 sculptures on the streets of Toronto. Support has come from all sectors: 3 BIAs, Toronto Arts Council, the City’s mural project [the Economic Development Corporation], the Royal Ontario Museum and the City which installs them free of charge on City property.
Bike stands in Parkdale
Bike stands at Yonge and Lawrence. The three sculptures to the right designed by grade 5 students.
The Royal Ontario Museum
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Letter of Reference
Charles C. Hill, Curator of Canadian Art, National Gallery of Canada
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
I have known Phil Sarazen for over thirty years and have followed his many projects with great interest and respect. He has developed into an accomplished artist and used his talents as a creative artistic director/producer. Some very creative and socially responsible national and international projects have been conceived and realized by him.
His work with musical sculptures, the Zoosemobiles, is original, community oriented, and captivates audiences of all ages. They have contributed greatly to the many festivals and parades they have been part of.
He is presently engaged in another new project, bike stand sculptures, and I know that he will develop this very public art form with all the respect and social commitment that characterize all his art works.
Yours truly,
Charles C. Hill
Curator of Canadian Art
Tel: (613) 990-0486
Fax: (613) 990-8689
E-mail: chill@gallery.ca
Artistic Bike Racks
Wed, December 16, 2009 2:10:28 PM
| From: | David Tomlinson <David_Tomlinson@toronto.ca>
View Contact |
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| To: | scott.edwards@vancouver.ca | |
| Cc: | “<Phil Sarazen” <artfulstreetfurniture@rogers.com>; marninorwich@yahoo.ca |
Mr. Edwards
I manage the City of Toronto’s bicycle parking program. We have been working with Toronto artist Phil Sarazen, since 2004, to install artistic bike parking stands throughout the city. Most of the work on these sculptures has been done by individuals from Toronto’s street population, in workshops that Phil organizes. His efforts to include the homeless and psychiatric survivors in this project have created a situation which benefits the City in many ways, and also helps some of its more disenfranchised citizens.
Phil would like to assist the City of Vancouver, by running similar workshops to create bike racks in honour of the 2010 Olympics and bike stands that reflect British Columbia’s cultural history. I’m writing to you to assure you that we support Phil in this endeavour, and to encourage you to provide whatever support you can.
By way of this e-mail, I would like to introduce you to Phil’s partner in Vancouver, Marni Norwich. I hope you can find time to meet with Marni. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you want to know more about the City of Toronto’s involvement in Phil’s projects.
Yours truly
David Tomlinson
Cycling Infrastructure and Programs
Transportation Services
East York Civic Centre
850 Coxwell Avenue
Toronto, ON
M4C 5R1
tel.: 416-392-8400
fax.: 416-392-0071
To Whom it May Concern, my name is Danny Beaton and I am a Turtle Clan Mohawk of Six Nations Reserve. I have been Phil Sarazen best friend since I was about 18 years old and he has been a role model for me during my youth. The National Aboriginal Achievement Awards are giving me the award for environment this year and I am one of 14 native achievers. My life is dedicated to protecting Mother Earth and Phil Sarazen works with me now for over 20 years. Please do everything you can to help him bring environmental awareness to society. Sincerely Danny Beaton www.dannybeaton.ca
Thank You for your Consideration 416 921 0012 office,
| Activist Danny Beaton receives the National Aboriginal Achievement Award (NAAA) for protecting Aboriginal communities from environmental destruction
November 24, 2009 Danny Beaton is one of 14 remarkable Aboriginal Canadians being recognized for their achievements at the 17th Annual National Aboriginal Achievement Awards (NAAA), taking place in Regina, Saskatchewan on Friday, March 26, 2010. Danny will be the recipient of the National Aboriginal Achievement Award (NAAA) for Environment and Natural Resources. Danny Beaton is a Turtle Clan Mohawk of Grand River Six Nations Territory. For over 20 years, he has been defending and protecting Mother Earth from environmental destruction. In 1992 he was the recipient of the Governor General’s Medal for outstanding contributions to his fellow Canadians. His environmental stewardship has not only impacted Aboriginal communities in Canada, but also around the globe. Mr. Beaton has successfully defended great caribou herds in Alaska with Sarah James, central to the economy and basic life of the Gwitchen Nation; helped save the sacred remains of the traditional Seminole territories in Florida; and worked with Indigenous people from the Amazon Rainforest to protect their cultures and traditional territories. He has worked intensely with the Northern Cree, Innu, Inuit, Apache and Ojibway to protect their homeland. In 1990, Mr. Beaton was bestowed the great honour of being invited to join the Traditional Circle of Indian Elders and Youth by Chief Oren Lyons. This grassroots coalition of spiritual leaders from across North America gathers to maintain sacred ceremonies and traditional council. Danny Beaton has worked with all forms of communication with the arts to defend and protect the environment, such as photography, filmmaking, music, writing and teaching, expressing his vision from an Aboriginal perspective. Mr. Beaton received grants from The Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council to study Traditional Native Flute music at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with Professor Ed Wapp Sac Fox/Commanche. He has performed and lectured in Japan, the UK and across the USA, while playing traditional flute, upon request. With hosts Tinsel Korey (Twilight, The Guard) and Raoul Trujillo (True Blood, Apocalypto) the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards (NAAA) continue the mission of celebrating Aboriginal Canadians who have made a profound positive impact in their communities, across Canada, and worldwide. Featuring performers including international music icon Buffy Sainte-Marie, Crystal Shawanda, Elisapie Isaac, Lorne Cardinal, Michael Greyeyes and Leemai Lafontaine, the 17th annual National Aboriginal Achievement Awards (NAAA) will recognize the achievements of the following individuals: William Commanda, OC – Lifetime Achievement Award Skawenniio Barnes – Special Youth Award Kananginak Pootoogook – Arts Ellen Melcosky – Business & Commerce Tom Crane Bear – Culture, Heritage & Spirituality Dr. Raoul McKay – Education Danny Beaton – Environment & Natural Resources Madeleine Kētēskwew Dion Stout, BN, MA, Ph.D (Hon.) – Health Donald E. Worme, QC, IPC – Law & Justice Kenneth Atsenhaienton Deer – Media & Communications Hon. Eric William Robinson – Politics Edith Cloutier – Public Service Monica Pinette – Sports Doug Henry – Technology & Trades
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The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) proudly announces Global Television and the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) as the returning exclusive broadcast partners of the 17th annual National Aboriginal Achievement Awards (NAAA). “Every year the jury selects an extraordinary group of recipients who reveal such outstanding talent and dedicated service.” said Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF). Held in Regina, Saskatchewan, the 2010 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards (NAAA) focuses on the theme of Potential and, the ability within us all to achieve greatness, despite obstacles. The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) is a nationally registered non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to deliver programs that provide the tools necessary for Aboriginal peoples, especially youth to achieve their potential. Since 1985 the foundation through its education program has awarded more than $32-million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 8,400 First Nations, Inuit and Métis students nationwide. NAAA Partners for 2009/2010 Lead Partners CIBC Government of Canada Partners Government of Saskatchewan Canwest – Aboriginal Peoples Television Network – Suncor Energy Foundation – Air Canada – Tribal Councils Investment Group of Manitoba Ltd. – Nexen Inc. BP Canada Energy Company – Fort McKay Group of Companies – Casino Rama – Rio Tinto – SaskTel – Cameco Corporation – Government of Nunavut – Government of the Northwest Territories City of Regina – Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life – Radisson Plaza Hotel Saskatchewan -30- Available for Interviews: Jamie Monastyrski, Director of Communications
For further information, visit: http://www.naaf.ca |