Four Elements
A DNA-like sculpture and three copper panels enliven Firehall No. 2 with beautiful light effects that change with weather and the seasons.
Artists: Kip Jones & Jennifer Macklem
Location: Firehall No. 2 (13079 104 Avenue)
Category: Civic collection
Year: 1999
About Four Elements
This work consists of a kinetic sculpture and three copper panels. The sculpture is a freestanding helix with three asymmetrical tops moving gently in the breeze. The spinners are shaped in turn like a pinwheel, a circle, and an open umbrella. They attract visitors closer to a set of aluminum beads mysteriously inscribed with letters and symbols from Hindi, Greek, Cyrillic, Japanese, Arabic and Roman alphabets.
Taking the Fraser River in Surrey as the inspiration for the 12-foot copper panels, the artists inscribed them with an aerial view of the Fraser River and its islands, pictures of a burning candle, fish silhouettes, and a compass. Each panel references one of the elements: air, fire, water, or earth. Both the panels and the DNA-like sculpture generate beautiful light effects that change with weather and the seasons.
More on Four Elements
About the Artists
Kip Jones and Jennifer Macklem are known for public art projects that engage visitors. Since 1995, Jennifer Macklem and Kip Jones have combined talents on a range of public art projects. Working with bronze, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and granite, they have created several large-scale projects, such as a fountain sculpture at Moncton’s City Hall Plaza (2004); the Fossil Floor at the Calgary International Airport (2002); and 20 bronze pieces seen throughout Whistler Village.
