Located (2004) on the main floor of Wascana Place.
Artist: Eli Bornstein
Eli Bornstein's Four Part Vertical Double Plane Structurist Relief, part of his
Winter Sky series, was commissioned by Wascana Centre Authority and created
specifically for Wascana Place in 1982. It was designed to hang under the clear skylight
within the open atrium and reach within 2.43 metres (8 feet)
of the ground floor level. Each panel is visible from all levels of the building. The
sculpture is made of acrylic lacquer on aluminium and plexiglass over a steel frame.
Its dimensions are 6.401m by 2.438m.
Bornstein abstracts from nature to create his structures. The interaction with space and
light are an important factor in this work. The impression the sculpture leaves can
vary depending on the time of day and one's position in the building.
Bornstein uses planes of colour to create a metaphor of nature. The inspiration for
this sculpture came from the ever changing, prairie winter sky, and the snow
and ice crystals which reflect the sky's light. This abstract construction relates
to nature metaphorically. It is not a literal representation or description
of nature. Each panel may suggest different facets of the breathtaking
prairie winter sky.
The viewer is invited to experience the multiple aspects of the structure,
colour, and light by looking at the complete continuum of the work from different
places and levels of the building, at different times of day and
at different seasons.
Side 1, facing North, might be seen as an interpretation of the prairie sun dogs.
On cold, clear days, light is reflected from frozen air-bound ice crystals. This results
in bright sun dogs on either side of the sun, all with rainbow-like halos.
Side 2, facing the back of the building may suggest some qualities of dawn or sunset.
The upper panel may be seen to have reference to the fading or emerging stars and below it,
the rising or setting sun surrounded by the lighter pinks and peaches of an
early morning or evening sky.
Side 3, facing the lecture theatre, might suggest aspects of the moon on a crisp,
cold night, with the darker colours of the evening or night sky.
Side 4, facing the building entrance, could be reminiscent of the Aurora Borealis,
or Northern Lights. Brillant bands of colour are highlighted by the deep blue
background. The moon-like central form hovers above the bands of light, and
below them something akin to stars or shining ice crystals are evoked.
