Councillor Bob Stone wasn’t mincing words at Monday’s council meeting. He said he’d heard from dozens of constituents and read hundreds of comments on social media from people in the community unhappy with the location of the art installation, Pipe Man.
Councillor Bob Stone asked that the location of the Pipe Man art installation be reconsidered, at Monday’s council meeting.
“Sometimes council must make controversial decisions for important reasons, this isn’t one of them,” he said. “The people have made it loud and clear that they are not happy with the location of this gift.” Stone moved a motion forward asking that staff work with the creators of the Pipe Man statue and “find a more suitable location.”
Councillor Nancy Alcock, referring to a letter to council by Robert Main opposing the location of the art installation, said the letter was compelling. She also said she had a conversation with Teri Souter, Manager of Arts, Culture & Heritage for the Town who was involved with the installation. She said Souter lamented that the installation had been put in place in November and not earlier. Alcock said it might look a lot different in spring or summer. “I think we haven’t given it the benefit yet,” she said. In retrospect, added Alcock, while the intent of the art installation was admirable, in future, when dealing with decisions in the public realm, some form of public consultation might be a good way to approach such decisions.
Councillor Dan Armour said that at night the Pipe Man looks “pretty amazing,” but in the daytime it hinders the view. Councillor Jason Fitzgerald said he had heard views on both sides of the issue. He said there are many works of art by great artists that have not been well received at the beginning. “I guess you’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t,” he said. Fitzgerald said he would support Stone’s motion if “we think we can come up with a better location.” In the end, Stone’s motion was passed. A report is expected to be brought back to council at its January meeting.
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Council finally discusses removing Pipe Man and they are going to receive input from Town Staff in January 2018 ???
Man!
The Pipe Man is an eye sore and a safety hazard. I do not find it representative of Tom Thomson in the least. When it is dark it is illuminated by what looks like a few flashlights. It looks like a black metal object was just thrown into the river. The best decision you could make would be to remove it – never to be seen again.
Enough already , just remove this eyesore. This piece of plastic needs no home!
When I think of Tom Thomson it brings to mind the Group of Seven and their collective interests in our beautiful landscape. As true artists, they loved to replicate on canvas the countryside as they saw it, in every detail. Throughout the seasons, especially the fall, thousands of tourists converge on Huntsville to enjoy our breathtaking fall colours. One only has to walk across our historic old swing bridge and look upstream to see beauty at its best.This is what attracted Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven to Algonquin Park and the area in the first place.
If Tom Thomson today could only see what some mindless individuals have erected in his memory, in front of Boston Pizza and the Old Swing Bridge here in Huntsville, in the centre of Muskoka River, he would “Turn over in his grave” , where-ever that may be? This piece of plastic pipe is a major desecration to the memory of a famous artist!
There was some mention of moving the pipe to another location. My personal opinion would be to disallow it, or anything else being moved and positioned anywhere in the navigable waterways of Muskoka!
Having said that…..Don’t we already have a beautiful commemorative replica of Tom with his canoe , paddle and favorite old pipe positioned right in front of the Huntsville Town Hall? Thousands of tourists enjoy this display every summer. Do we really need anything else?
Move it downstream to mark the outflow into the river from the Mountview sewage treatment plant and place some legal navigation markings on it.
And unless the plastic has been treated with ultraviolet protection from the sun,the “artist’s creation” will fade with time.
This pipeman is an eyesore where it is now. I commend Pipefusion for the thought and donation, but it does not belong where it is now. Maybe it could be placed over on “Beer Lake” and we can call that swamp “Pipeman Lake” from now on.
This situation has persisted beyond all comprehension. We have insulted Pipefusion’s generosity and the artist’s creativity; Tom Thomson has become “Pipe Man”; and Council has been insulted for their original decision and for changing that decision. Many seem to agree that the populace has the innate right to vet all gifts to the Town and their location. In fact, maybe all decisions that could prove contentious should be submitted immediately to Town fora.
But unfortunately, democracy does not work that way: We elect our representatives to make our decisions for us. Subject to a few restrictions, each of us may run in the next election. Barring that, we should, perhaps, reserve our criticism for more earth-shattering matters.
This objet d’art should be moved to Rivermill Park to a location where its illumination may be used to best advantage, and where it is most accessible for 24-hour viewing. Also, there should be a ceremony (as a sign of good faith to all have been insulted) featuring Pipefusion, the artist, and the Mayor. Anything less would be insufficient.
I suppose art is art and I can appreciate the work that went into this but the location is not right. When I first noticed it the very first thought that passed through my mind was “when are they going to complete whatever it is out there?” It is not in the right place and that is all there is to it at the moment for me.
This is nothing more than an advertising ploy by Pipefusion. Tom Thomson was important to the heritage of Algonquin Park but has little relationship to Huntsville. We continue to ignore the founder of our community Capt George Hunt. Bottom line is it’s ugly and inappropriate. My family has been here since 1948 and my parents would have a fit if they saw this plastic pylon.
This is advertising which unnecessarily defaces our beautiful River. I agree that relocation would be the best solution to this error in judgement.
Yes, Town Council allowed this to happen and after hearing loud and clear from the public we voted unanimously to address our mistake in approving its location. Democracy in action.
I do think it is an eyesore where it has been placed. But I appreciate the gesture. Trying to think where would be a better location though. Hmmm.
I cannot believe that the town council has been consumed with this hideous pompous self-admonishing piece…for so long. Not once was there ever a public consultation on the construction, environmental impact, esthetic appeal etc.. Town council allowed this to happen, now all of a sudden one councillor wants it revoked..please..they all voted numerous times for the approval of the installation…also they all probably showed up after all the delays on the day of the launch…please what a waste of my time and my intelligence
It looks hideous. I have been cottaging here for 40 years and have always enjoyed the views from the water or bridge. This piece of art does not belong here. It reminds me of a methane gas release pipe. Please have it removed and sent to say Toronto harbour.
I would agree that in the future it would be most considerate and advantageous for the town to put a decision like this out there for the people who live there to consider and offer input! From all that I have heard, that has been the biggest offence for many of the locals… and don’t just hold a meeting that few will be able to attend or not have access to even know about! Ask through media outlets! Radio! Facebook! Mail outs! And don’t just ask… LISTEN to your constituents! ‘Nuff said!
Please let’s leave our forests, rivers and lakes as visually unpolluted as possible. It’s bad enough that Highway #11 has advertising billboards every 500 metres or so now. If the “Pipe Man” is not for boating safety them it should be removed and placed where other art normally goes like in galleries or in this case a park. The gift was generous, the person it was intended to honour is obviously very worthy. However, the idea of placing it where it currently rests is severely flawed, please stay with the tried and true in this case, even if it’s inside the box.
Agreed. Man-made art should never try to over-take nature’s. This piece would be more suited in a park setting but, not blocking water views.
Agreed…it does not make sense that a large piece of pipe was put in the middle of our river, into the beautiful view from the town bridge. And if it was indeed erected in honour of the incomparable Tom Thomson, perhaps some consideration should have been paid to the truth that he came to this region to paint because he was inspired by nature and the stunning vistas we are lucky enough to witness everyday.