The mandatory pic of a new Calgarian / Calgary tourist riding the bronze bull statue. This sculpture is entitled “Outlaw: Bullish on your Future”. Yahoo Calgary public art! (photo credit: Super Mike Vieira)

I’m pretty into art, but I don’t know a lot about it.  I find myself with some strong opinions about what I like and don’t like, but usually can’t explain the basis of those opinions – at least in terms of art history or art theory.

And that’s okay. Professional artists themselves often don’t have an extensive theoretical explanation for what they create – they sometimes invent the deep ‘story’ behind their pieces more for marketing purposes than to explain why they made what they made. (“The rubber chicken taped to the empty Kleenex box represents energy and sacrifice…” etc.). Sometimes (often?) artists make art are just because it looks cool.  And that, in my opinion, is okay too.

With that preamble, we’re going to take a look-see here at what I consider to be some of Calgary’s coolest public outdoor art.  Selected on no other basis than, well, whether I liked it.  So check out my picks below, and let us know what you think.  Twitter us your faves at @ciawesome or @agrantca.

There has been a lot of buzz over this Jaume Plensa sculpture, entitled “Wonderland”, which is currently being constructed at the base of the Bow skyscraper. One of the reasons it’s great is that once it’s completed, we’ll be able to walk inside it. Looking forward to climbing into a giant head over your lunch break, Calgary?
Yeah, you are. Calgary is awesome.

I did a double-take when I first cycled by these photos of mellow, nude, wet folks along the Bow RiverWalk. They are unconventional pieces of public art that Calgarians seem to either love or hate. They get nothing but love from me.

This sculpture looks like a giant fossil, and made me think of fossil fuels. In a friendly way.

The lightscaping along the Bow RiverWalk transforms a dark and dull nighttime bike ride into a magical mystical voyage. I can’t say enough good things about RiverWalk lightscaping. It gives me shivers.

Abstract antler fight! In front of the bank!

Also, in front of the bank. Very bold Calgary.