Something fishy’s goin’ down at Mackenzie and Third…
By David F. Rooney
Artist and blacksmith Kevin Kratz brought a couple of helpers and a whack of the fantastic looking kokanees and sturgeon he and James Kartheim created for installation in the planters at Mackenzie and Third. The sculptures will be formally unveiled on July 1.
The metal fish are the result of the City’s decision to acquire and install new pieces of public art. The fish, designed and made of steel by Kratz and his colleague James Kartheim are — and there’s no other word to describe them — gorgeous.
Of course, that’s my opinion. Here are a few photos of them being installed to bolster my claim:
Blacksmith and artist Kevin Kratz (left) and an assistant spent hours flushing dust and debris from the holes they had, a week or so ago, drilled in large river rocks that Laurel Corrigan's Public Works Department crew had placed in the planters at Mackenzie and third. David F. Rooney photoAnd here are the raw, uninstalled fish, being admired by a passerby on Monday afternoon. David F. Rooney photoHefre's another view of the fish as one of Kratz's assistants prepares some tools. David F. Rooney photoKratz tiptoes past the rock garden in front of Main Street Cafe, making sure everything is where it is supposed to be. David F. Rooney photoAnd here's a head-on view of the fish in front of the United Church. David F. Rooney photo
