Photo archives 1983 (2025)

This photo documents a sculpture-in-progress created by Mike Zeindler in 1983 on the property of Courtney Andersen. The location was directly across from Bowness Park in Calgary., Alberta. Not seen in the photo are human-scale figures that were attached to the turning mechanisms. The various elements on this large-scale work were carefully crafted and turned manually, allowing them to turn smoothly.

The sad thing about this work was that it did not receive any arts funding to construct, and it used every penny that Mike could muster. I am trying to remember what happened to it in the end, but I think it had to be dismantled, and the materials from the various elements were recycled.

One incredible generosity of support for this work came from Don Mabie, AKA Chuck Stake, of Calgary’s Off Centre Centre. Don came with financial support to stage a public opening of the sculpture. The event was well-attended, and it raised positive awareness of the genius and effort that went into bringing this work to the level of completion seen in the slide.

Both Mike Zeindler and Courtney Andersen have passed away. Each left behind large bodies of creative works. Some were completed, some were still tangled in the creative process.