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A popular public art piece has returned to the Forks and it will remain there for there for at least a decade.
Forever Bicycles, created by Chinese contemporary artist, Ai Weiwei and previously on display at the Forks from 2019 to 2022, will be on loan to the Forks for the next 10 years as part of the Gallery's National Engagement initiative.
“It’s an honour to partner with the National Gallery of Canada and have Forever Bicycles back at The Forks,” says Sara Stasiuk, Chief Executive Officer, The Forks North Portage. “As a gathering place for everyone, we value how public art connects and grounds us. The important message and distinctive design of this piece particularly resonates with our community and site.”
The public art installation is made up of 1,266 bicycle frames, which create optical illusions from all angles.
The piece alludes to the Shanghai Forever Co. bicycles that flooded the streets of the artist’s home country during his childhood yet remained financially out of reach for many.
The Forks was chosen as the perfect location for the installation because of its history, diversity and number of visitors.
“Shaped as a commemorative archway, or paifang, the artwork becomes a powerful symbol for where it stands near the confluence of the Red River and the Assiniboine River, a meeting place for over 6,000 years,” said Josée Drouin-Brisebois, Senior Manager of National Engagement, National Gallery of Canada.
Winnipeg is the second city to host a National Gallery of Canada newly acquired public art piece.