Concrete Poetry

Media

Cast concrete

Artist

Keith Langergraber

Location

Various locations in Town Centre Park

Date

2007

Statement of Significance

In March, 2007, three sculptural benches were installed at separate locations around Town Centre Park, in order that skateboarders would have the opportunity to skate the benches. In May, 2007, the benches were brought into the Evergreen Cultural Centre gallery where they remained for the duration of an exhibition of the same name. In the gallery setting, the evidence of the skateboarders’ activities was visible through abrasions to the surface of the concrete, and the waxed edges of the benches. At the conclusion of the exhibition the benches were installed at their outside locations to exist as public sculpture and to be used for seating or skateboarding throughout the park. The silhouette of the benches sites mirror the shape of Mount Lafarge in the background.

About the Artist

Keith Langergraber studied at the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and currently teaches at the Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver. His work has been exhibited widely in Canada and abroad over the past 23 years including commissions by the Vancouver Art Gallery for its Offsite space in 2022, featured recently in a hardcover anthology. His work is held in collections such as the University of Lethbridge, Surrey Art Gallery, Burnaby Art Gallery and Vancouver Art Gallery. 

Langergraber currently lives and works in Vancouver.