Device to Root out Evil

Installed in 2013 through Calgary Municipal Land Corporation’s (CMLC) Art in the Public Realm program, Device to Root Out Evil by the late Dennis Oppenheim is one of East Village’s most recognizable public artworks.

The sculpture—a sharply pointed, upside-down New England-style church—occupies a central position in 5th Street Square, offering a bold and thought-provoking presence in the public realm. Known for his eclectic and sometimes controversial approach to public art, Oppenheim created Device to Root Out Evil to challenge perceptions of tradition, faith, and stability.

Previously exhibited internationally, including at the Venice Biennale and in Vancouver, the sculpture enhances East Village’s dynamic cultural fabric and reflects CMLC’s commitment to delivering bold, meaningful placemaking experiences that foster dialogue, creativity, and connection in Calgary’s urban landscape.

Installed in 2013 through Calgary Municipal Land Corporation’s (CMLC) Art in the Public Realm program, Device to Root Out Evil by the late Dennis Oppenheim is one of East Village’s most recognizable public artworks.

The sculpture—a sharply pointed, upside-down New England-style church—occupies a central position in 5th Street Square, offering a bold and thought-provoking presence in the public realm. Known for his eclectic and sometimes controversial approach to public art, Oppenheim created Device to Root Out Evil to challenge perceptions of tradition, faith, and stability.

Previously exhibited internationally, including at the Venice Biennale and in Vancouver, the sculpture enhances East Village’s dynamic cultural fabric and reflects CMLC’s commitment to delivering bold, meaningful placemaking experiences that foster dialogue, creativity, and connection in Calgary’s urban landscape.