Window to the Wild

Installed along the Jack & Jean Leslie RiverWalk in 2016, Window to the Wild is a captivating public art installation by then Calgary-based artist Curtis Van Charles Sorensen. Commissioned through Calgary Municipal Land Corporation’s (CMLC) Art in the Public Realm program, this series of nine mixed media images adorned various structures along the RiverWalk, including bridge abutments, flyovers, a maintenance building, and public washrooms.

Sorensen's work brought Alberta’s wildlife into the urban landscape, featuring animals such as beavers, foxes, and birds. His process involves capturing photographs during his backcountry travels, which he then digitally collages, applies to handcrafted wooden supports, and details with acrylic paint. This technique creates immersive, hyper-realistic representations that highlight the coexistence of natural and urban environments.

By integrating elements of Calgary’s architecture into his depictions of local fauna, Sorensen encourages viewers to reflect on the presence of nature within the city and the importance of preserving it. Window to the Wild exemplifies CMLC’s commitment to placemaking and fostering meaningful connections through public art in East Village.

Installed along the Jack & Jean Leslie RiverWalk in 2016, Window to the Wild is a captivating public art installation by then Calgary-based artist Curtis Van Charles Sorensen. Commissioned through Calgary Municipal Land Corporation’s (CMLC) Art in the Public Realm program, this series of nine mixed media images adorned various structures along the RiverWalk, including bridge abutments, flyovers, a maintenance building, and public washrooms.

Sorensen's work brought Alberta’s wildlife into the urban landscape, featuring animals such as beavers, foxes, and birds. His process involves capturing photographs during his backcountry travels, which he then digitally collages, applies to handcrafted wooden supports, and details with acrylic paint. This technique creates immersive, hyper-realistic representations that highlight the coexistence of natural and urban environments.

By integrating elements of Calgary’s architecture into his depictions of local fauna, Sorensen encourages viewers to reflect on the presence of nature within the city and the importance of preserving it. Window to the Wild exemplifies CMLC’s commitment to placemaking and fostering meaningful connections through public art in East Village.