TOWNSHIP OF KING
DATE: January 14th, 2008
TO: Committee of the Whole
SUBJECT: Clerks Department Report CL-2008-03 Re: Designation of Property under the Ontario Heritage Act Cultural Landscape of'Shift' Sculpture 12605 Keele Street, King City Part Lot 2, Concession 3, Assessment Roll # 021-000
1. RECOMMENDATIONS •
It is respectfully recommended that:
(a) Report CL-2008-03be received as information.
(b) Committee considerapproval of the Township Heritage Committee proposal for designation of the Shift and associated cultural landscape to be of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act;
(c) Should the above-noted proposal be approved, the Clerk is authorized to proceed with the Notice of Intention to Designate;
(d) Township staff and members of the Heritage Committee endeavour to work with the owners of the subject property towards a form of agreement to address the needs of the owners and of the Township in protecting and preserving the Shift.
2. PURPOSE
This Report is advise of a request from the Township Heritage Committee for designation of property considered to be of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
3. BACKGROUND
3.1 Heritage Committee Request
The Heritage Committee has submitted the correspondence attached as Appendix 'A' to recommend that a portion of the property municipally known as 12605 Keele Street be designated pursuant to Part IV of the Ontario Hentage Act. The subject portion of the property deemed to beof cultural heritage value or interest is the sculpture known as 'Shift' and its associated landscape. The Committee has also provided photographs of Clerks Department Report CL-2008-03 Page 2 Re: Designation of Property under the Ontario Heritage Act Cultural Landscape of 'Shift' Sculpture 12605 Keele Street, King City the sculpture (Appendix 'B', and documents and letters of support for the proposed designation - Appendix 'C').
The 'Shift' is an artistic creation by renowned artist Richard Serra. The sculpture was commissioned in 1970 on the subject lands, encompassing approximately 6.8 hectares of the property identified as 12605Keele Street.
3.2 Current Heritage Status
Amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act now make it possible for Council, in consultation with the Municipal Heritage Committee, to include property on the Township Heritage Registry that has not been designated under Part IV of the Act. The 'Shift' was placed on the Township's Heritage Registry of properties deemed to be of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest in September, 2006. When the subject property was added to the Registry, the owners were advised and provided with an opportunity to comment on its inclusion, however, the owners did not indicate either objection to nor support of the proposal.
Including the undesignated properties on the Heritage Registry does not provide the same level of protection from demolition or change as does actual designation, however, it serves to identify the properties as 'priorities' whenever an application for renovation or demolition is received by the Building Department. The time for issuance of a building permit is extended to 60 days for properties that are listed on the Registry, hi cases where issuance of a building permit where demolition or removal of the building or change of the identified heritage features would result, this additional time provides an opportunity for Township Staff, Council, the Heritage Committee and the property owner to consider whether the permit should be issued, or modified or whether the property should be designated.
In the case of the 'Shift', it should be noted that thesculpture is not considered to be a structure that requires a building permit. As such, a demolition permit would not be required either. Submission ofan application for building or demolition permit is the 'trigger' which brings the matter of changing or demolishing a building to the attention of Township staff as it is part of the permit process to check to see if properties are on either the Heritage Registry or the Inventory.
3.3 Designation Process
Section 29of the Ontario Heritage Act (the Act) provides the process to be followed to designate property under Part IV of the Act. The owner's consent is not needed to proceed. Once Council determines that a property should be designated, the Clerk issues a Notice of Intent to Designate. The Notice mustbe served on the owner, the Ontario Heritage Trust, and published in a newspaper having general circulation in the Clerks Department Report CL-2008-03 Page 3 Re: Designation of Property under the Ontario Heritage Act 65 Cultural Landscape of 'Shift' Sculpture 12605 Keele Street, King City municipality. The Act provides that any objection to the designation must be received by the Clerk within 30 days of the publication of the Notice.
If an objection to the Designation is received within the prescribed time, the matter is referred to the Conservation Review Board (Review Board) for a hearing and a report to Council. The Review Board is a5 member body appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. The hearing is open to the public and Council, the owner, any person who has filed an objection and such other persons as the Review Board may specify are parties to the hearing. Upon receipt and consideration of the Report of the Review Board, Council may make its decision to either pass the By-law to designate the property or withdraw the Notice of Intention. Notice of either decision must be given as prescribed in section 29(14) of the Act. The decision of Council is final.
If no objection is received during the Notice of Intention appeal period, Council may proceed to enact the Designating By-law and the Clerk gives the Notice of Passing of the By-law as prescribed in theAct. Once the By-law is in force and effect, it would be registered on title of the property.
To date, Council has not pursued the designation of any property without the owner's consent.
4. ANALYSIS & PROPOSALS
The Chief Administrative Officer has discussed the protection and preservation of the 'Shift' and its surrounding landscape with the owners of 12650 Keele Street to. The owners have indicated that they havenowish to destroy or change the sculpture, nor do they have any desire to provide anything but minimal public access. They have no plans at this time to extend the development of their lands. At this point, the owners are content with the status quo.
It would be optimal to obtain the interest and the support of the owners in the designation of the 'Shift'. In order to have the Designation By-law registered on title, it will be necessary to have a survey made of the designated landscape to provide a legal description. The Heritage Committee has advised of some minor cracks in the concrete which should be repaired, and the need for continued maintenance provisions. The Committee has also expressed concern about the type of agricultural activities undertaken in the immediate vicinity of the components of the 'Shift', and for such a significant work of art, it would be desirable to have regular public access. The feasibility of some form of agreement to address the needs of the owners and of the Township in protecting and preserving the Shift should be pursued. Clerks Department Report CL-2008-03 Page 4 Re: Designation of Property under the Ontario Heritage Act Cultural Landscape of 'Shift' Sculpture 12605 Keele Street, King City
5. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
In the event that Council approves the proposal to have the 'Shift' designated, the cost of publication of the Notices would be included in the Township's advertising 2008 budget. Survey costs (approx. $3,500.00) and legal costs for registration on title (approx. $350.00) would be included in the Clerk's 2008 Legal Budget. If the designation is challenged, there may be unknown legal costs with respect to the Conservation Review Board Hearing. Development ofan agreement would incur further unknown legal costs.
6. CONCLUSIONS
Should Committee agree to support the proposal to have the Shift and its associated cultural landscape designated, the Clerk will proceed with the designation process as described in Section 3.3 of this Report. Township staff and members of the Heritage Committee will endeavour to work with the owners towards an agreement that would address the matters discussed in Section 4 of this Report.
7. ATTACHMENTS
(a) Appendix 'A': Heritage Committee Correspondence requesting Designation of Property - Shift & Associated Cultural Landscape (b) Appendix 'B': Photographs of the Shift (c) Appendix 'C: Supporting Correspondence: (i) Extract from King City East Functional Servicing/Development Area Study (ii) Architectural Conservancy of Ontario Recommendations for Shift Sculpture (iii) Arts Society King (iv) Art Gallery of Ontario (v) Community Heritage Ontario (vi) Ontario Heritage Foundation
Prepared & Submitted by
ChrisSomerville Clerk Township ofXina J-feritage Committee
Conservation of Property of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest Ontario Heritage Act, Part IV Designation of Properties
November 12, 2007
Ms. Chris Somerville Township Clerk, Township of King
Regarding: Designation of Property, Advice to Council
Feature: Cultural heritage landscape of sculpture Shift Street Address: 12605 Keele Street, King City, ON. L7B 1H5 Location: Concession 3, Lot 2 Municipality: Township of King, Regional Municipality of York Assessment Roll: #021 000
The Township of King Heritage Committee wishes to advise King Township council that portion of the property of 12605 Keele Street is recommended for designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
DESIGNATION STATEMENT
Description of Property
Portion of the landscape of 12605 Keele Street is worthy of designation under Part IVof the Ontario Heritage Actto its cultural heritage value or interest. It meets the criteria for municipal designation prescribed by the Province of Ontario under the three categories of design/physical value, historical/associative value and contextual value. Encompassing the majority of the north third, and part of the west half of the centre third, of the west halfof the east half of Concession 3 Lot 2, the cultural heritage landscape of approximately 6.8 hectares bordered by mature treesconsists of the insitu sculpture Shift and its associated landscape.
Statement ofCultural Heritage Value or Interest
The cultural heritage value of Sh/ftand its associated landscape is related to its design or physical value asan early and rare example of a large-scale minimalist artistic creation of North American artist Richard Serra. Consisting of two groups of three angled, rectilinear cement sections of varying lengths created in relationship to and defined by the contours of the immediate landscape of hills and a valley.
The cultural heritage value of Shift and its associated landscape is related to its historical or associative value asan artistic creation of internationally renowned North American artist Richard Serra. Commissioned in 1970 by the landowner, leading Canadian art collector Roger Davidson, Shiftwas created by Serraover the space of the following two years. Celebrated for his creations engaging mass, space, volume, form and place Serra is considered one of the most significant artists and the greatest sculptor of the late20lh and early 21s' century. Shift \s a seminal, groundbreaking example of his site-specific landscape sculpture for which he is most renowned.
APPENDIX 'A' TO Township of' X'mfi-2075 Xing "Road-Xing City-C CLERKS DEPARTMENT REPORT CL-2008-03 69
The cultural heritage value of Shift relates to its contextual value in its associated landscape. Serra created the sculpture in situ defining the topographic boundaries of the work as the maximum distance two people could occupy and still keep each other in view while the stepped, but level, elevations, following the contour of the two hills and centre valley, function as horizons cutting into and extending towards the existing horizon.
Description of Heritage Attributes
The heritage attributes of Shift and its associated landscape related to its cultural heritage value as an in situ early and rare example of artistic creation of North American artist Richard Serra are portrayed by:
• two groups of three, angled, level concrete walls, measured east to west as: 1. 20 cm width x 27.8 m length x15 cm - 200 cm east to west elevation from ground level 2. 20 cm width x 68.8 m length x 15 cm - 200 cm east to west elevation from ground level 3. 20 cm width x 45.7 m length x 15 cm - 200 cm east to west elevation from ground level 4. 20 cm width x 36.6 m length x 200 cm -15 cm east to west elevation from ground level 5. 20 cm width x 32.0 m length x 200 cm - 15 cm east to west elevation from ground level 6. 20 cm width x 33.5 m length x 200 cm - 15 cm east to west elevation from ground level • 6.8 hectares of cleared landscape of hills enfolding, and valley between, two groups of three walls • boundary of mature trees to east, north and west of twogroups of three walls • boundary of mature trees to south of eastern of two group of three walls • boundary of mature trees to east, south and west of cleared landscape to south of western of two group of threewalls
Elaine Robertson Bert Duclos Chair, Researcher, Township of King Heritage Committee Township of King Heritage Committee Lot2 Concession3
SHIFTLandscape
SHIFT& AssociatedLandscape 71
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APPENDIX'B'TO CLERKS DEPARTMENT REPORT CL-2008-03
r Sf?^
"SHIFT11 Richatd Serra 1970-1972 7 73
HERITAGE AND ARCHAELOGICAL RESOURCE INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS: HERITAGE RESOURCES
KING CITY EAST FUNCTIONAL SERVICING/DEVELOPMENT AREA STUDY TOWNSHIP OF KING R.M. OF YORK, ONTARIO
January 2006
Prepared for: King City East Landowners Group
Prepared by: Unterraan McPhail Associates Heritage Resource Management Consultants 540 Runnymede Road Toronto, Ontario, M6S 2Z7 Tel: 416-766-7333
APPENDIX 'C TO CLERKS DEPARTMENT REPORT CL-2008-03 Appendix'C (i) HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS: Heritage Resources ___ ,^__ _ 7 A
TABLE 1: IDENTIFIED CULTURAL HERITAGE LANDSCAPES (CHL) (continued)
Untcrman McFhail Associates Page 9 Herilage Resource Management Consultants January 2006 75
KiiiP City East - Functional Servicing/Development Area Study HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS:
Heritage Resources .
• to actively preserve the sculpture known as "Shift" and it's associated open space setting; and, • to have significant built heritage features and significant cultural heritage landscapes municipally designated under Part IV the Ontario Heritage Act.
Achieving these objectives will assist in creating a new landscape in the King City East Functional Servicing/Development Area Study that provides continuity between old andnew. Incorporating cultural heritage components into the new plan assists in making the planarea visually diverse and more environmentally distinctive. It also enables greater depth and texture to be incorporated into the new landscape, making it physically more interesting and reflective of thearea's past.
4.2 Conserving Cultural Heritage Landscapes and Built Heritage Features
4.2.1 Cultural Heritage Landscapes
Ten (10) cultural heritage landscapes were identified within the study area and general conservation policies are addressed in Section 4.5.
Since the subject lands are intended for future urban or suburban development the likelihood or potential for the viable.retention of all built heritage and landscape features that characterize the existing agricultural landscape is unlikely. However, in thedetailed site planning of the King City East Functional Servicing/Development Area Study, every effort must be made to conserve agricultural remnants of the rural landscape including bam ruins, foundations and ramps and silos as well as remnant hedgerows, fence lines and tree lines.
Consultation with the Planning Department of the Township of King indicates the Richard Serra sculpture known as 'Shift' has been identified in the Township's Parks and Recreation Master Plan (June 2004) as a cultural heritage resource. It is referenced in respect to future trail linkage opportunities, there are on-going discussions at various levels with respect to the preservation of the sculpture "Shift" (CHL 9) and its surrounding agricultural land. It is located within the Natural Core Areaof the Oak Ridges Moraine Plan and is a privately owned farm/rural property.
The identified cultural heritage landscapes (CHL 6 church & cemetery, and CHL 8 railscape) may merit designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act upon further historical and site research.
In the course of new development every effort should be made to maintain the names of the existing roads and to use local farming family names in the naming of community buildings and facilities. Recommendations are made in Sections4.4 and 4.5.
4,2.2 Built Heritage Features
-ih Seven (7) built heritage features were identified within the study lands located along 15 Sideroad and Dufferin Street. Due to certain change in character of the developing landscape and environment in the study area it is important these built heritage features be protected and
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King City East - Functional Servicing/Development Area Study HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS- Heritage Resources
retained in the future development. Specific conservation and adaptive re-use issues are discussed below.
Some of the identified built heritage features may merit designation under Part IV of the Ontario HeritageAct upon further assessment.
Farmhouses and Residences:
Freestanding farmhouses and residences should be retained and integrated into the development of the subject lands. They may be suitable for use as stand-alone residential units or for adaptive re-use purposes. Adaptive re-use provides beneficial opportunities for theviable retention of existing heritage features, the re-cycling of scarce resources and directly contributes to sustainable development. Adaptive re-uses include multi-functional, communal uses within new residential areas or new adaptive re-uses within commercial or institutional areas including offices, day cares, restaurants, medical centres, veterinary clinics, etc.
Agricultural Buildings
Barns presenta greater adaptive reuse challenge than residential buildings, but they can be retained for use as storage facilities, e.g., for the community and in park areas. Where barns have been displaced, surviving barn remnants, such as ramps and stone foundation walls should be incorporated wherever possible into new uses. Barn foundations may beused as part of parks or parkettes or in delineating parking lot areas in residential or commercial areas.
As with barns, silos are important and significant landmarks. Silos are excellent visual markers, i.e., landmarks, in the present-day landscape and surviving silos can continue to serve as eye catching monuments of the former rural landscape in a newly developed landscape. Their conservation is a convenient way of visually marking and commemorating former historical land uses for the public.
4.3 Community Place Names
A number of early settlement families have figured prominently in the transformation of the landscape from a pristine natural stateto a domesticated, agricultural environment. Some descendants of these fanning families may remain as active landowners and/or farmers to the present day in lands of the King City East Functional Servicing/Development Area Study. In the future development of this area, it is recommended that such farming family names as Ferguson Lloyd, McDonald, Norman, Scott, Wade and Wells be celebrated in the naming of streets, parks or other public places. Further research may reveal other names worth commemorating in'the future development aspart of the history of the area.
4.4 Heritage Policies
The following policies arc recommended for inclusion into the King City East Functional Servicing/Development Area Study to provide the context for subdivision planning and community development:
Untermim McPlinil Associates King City East - Functional Servicing/Development Area Study 77 HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS: Heritage Resources
LO Cultural Heritage ^
The King City EastFunctional Sen'icing/Development Area Study is recognized as having distinctive heritage attributes resulting from past agricultural and township settlement patterns. The development and planning of this community are premised upon: • to actively encourage the incorporation offarmhouses, residences and major agricultural built heritage elements such as barns and silos into the evolving future landscape: • to protect and maintain character-defining elements, i.e., tree lines and hedgerows and the rolling topography, associated with the / j"' Sideroad roadscape; • to protect and maintain as much as possible of the rural landscape characteristics such as tree lines, hedgerows, fencing, etc., associated with the agricultural heritage landscape; and, • to protect and preserve the Richard Serra sculpture known as "Shift" in its existing open space setting. • to pursue designation under Part IV the Ontario Heritage Ad for significant built heritage features and significant cultural heritage landscapes.
Built heritage features will be used or adoptively reused aspart of the development of the King City East Functional Servicing/Development Area Study community where possible.
In this regardThe Township may designate a number of built heritage features under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. Additionally, The Township shall ensure theretention of any municipally listed or designated features in the process of subdivision plan approval, site plan approval or any other development approvals or agreements negotiated aspart of acceptable development of the community.
Where identified built heritage features or cultural heritage landscapes cannot be reasonably conser\>ed as part of the development of the King City East Functional Servicmg/Development Area Study such features may be recorded or otherwise documented through photography, measured drawings or other means as considered appropriate.
Consideration may be given to the relocation, preferably within the study area, of those built heritage features that cannot be conserved in-situ.
Additionally, in the detailed site planning of the King City East Functional Ser\>icing/Development Area Study care shall be taken to conserve and respect built heritage features and agricultural remnants of the former rural landscape. The Town will work with landowners to achieve the inclusion in future development of such features as: • improved public access to heritage properties: • the inclusion of areas of open space making use of and preserving rural landscape features including barn ruins, foundations, existing tree lines, hedges and fence lines; • interpretive devices such as plaques and displays; and.
Untcrman McPhail Associates Page 15 Heritage Resource Management Consultants jr«n"«-» 78
June 7,2006 ^Architectural Conservancy "'Ontario Fiona Cowles 10 Adelaide St East Chair, Shift sub-committee Suite 204 King Township Heritage Committee Toronto, ON 14510 Jane Street M5C 1J3 King City, ON L7B1 A3 416-367-8075 877-264-8937tol1 free Fax 416-367-8630 w ww.hi ps.com/ACO Re: Richard Serra's Shift
Rrampton Dear Ms. Cowles, Cambridge
Cobourg I am pleased to enclose the ACO consultant's report, with recommendations, on the Richard Serra Shift sculpture in King Township. I do hope this will beof help Georgian Bluffs in your efforts to preserve this important piece of Ontario's heritage. Gue1ph-Wellin(jton
Hamilton Also enclosed is the consultant's statement of expenses. Please note that the ACO is responsible for the honorarium, so that your portion of out-of-pocket expenses London amounts to $52.90. A cheque may be made out to The Architectural Conservancy Meatord of Ontario.
NorthWaterloo Let me know if I can be of any further help, and do keep us informed of this Peterborough project's progress.
Port Hope All thefcest, Quinte
St. Catharine;
South Hruce-Crey
Toronto Scott James Windsor Manager Preservation Works!
Incorporated in 193 3 lo help
communities preserve buildings and structures of architectural merit and places of natural beauty and interest APPENDIX fCf TO CLERKS DEPARTMENT REPORT CL-2008-03 Appendix 'C (ii) 10 St. Mary St., Suite 801 H" IB .1 Toronto, Canada, M4Y1P9 f A }| 416 963.4497 T ^ * *l * « * n q 416 963.8761 F Architects Inc. * °
RE: Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) Recommendations for Shift sculpture by Richard Serra
The purpose of this letter is to provide recommendations regarding the Shift sculpture completed by Richard Serra. The sculpture is located in a farmer's field off Dufferin Street, within the Oak Ridges Moraine.
Title: Shift Artist: Richard Serra Construction date: 1970-72 Size: six sections at 60'x90'x8", 60 x240'x8", 60'x 15O'x8", 60'xl20'x8", 6O'xlO5'x8", 6O'xllO'x8" Construction: concrete walls (research material noted some rebar in foundation though none was evident on site) Location: part of Lot 2, east half, Concession 3, King City, Ontario Commissioned by: Roger Davidson Current Owner: Hickory Hills Investments (subsidiary of Great Gulf Homes)
Richard Serra is an internationally recognized American artist most known for his large-scale minimalist -works. Recent work has included sculptures for the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain and the new Pearson Airport Terminal in Toronto.
ERA completed a general review of the sculpture SHIFT on March 18, 2006. Considering the age of the piece, its exposure to the elements and freeze/thaw, its construction and the fact that the surrounding land is actively farmed, the sculpture is generally in good condition. While on site ERA noted the following conditions:
There is vegetation growing on and adjacent to the sculptureincluding moss, grass, small bushes and trees (see figures 1 and 2). At this time the vegetation does not appear to have an impact of the concrete walls, though the trees should be monitored and pruned as needed. There is some spalling noted on the top of the concrete walls (see figure 3). At this time the amount of spalling is minor, but it should be monitored for further deterioration. There is some cracking through the wall (see figure 4) and at one location a significant crack (see figure 5). Despite the cracking the wall is in stable condition and the cracks do not appear to be excellerating deterioration of the wall.
May 31, 2006 Page 1 of 5 • The west side of the west-most wall has over time been effectively transformed into a retaining wall. There is some concern that this additional pressure on the wall could cause additional deterioration. We recommend that the adjacent earth being retained be re-graded to reduce additional loading on the wall.
Regarding the conservation of the piece and its surrounding property, we recommend that the LACAC pursue:
Designating Shift and the surrounding cultural landscape (including thetreed perimeter) under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act; and Negotiating a Heritage Easement Agreement (HEA) for the property either with the town or the Ontario Heritage Trust. Included in the typical HEA, we recommend adding: — The provision of public access A times a year, once per season (for events like Doors Open or visiting arts / heritage advocates / students); — Identification of a steward for the maintenance of the property; and — A Maintenance Plan that would include: o Inquiring as tothe artist's thoughts on natural deterioration of the sculpture; o Re-grading where the concrete wall has become a retaining wall; and o Monitoring and recording the conditions noted above (vegetation, spalling and cracking).
If required, we would be pleased to assist in the heritage designation of the property and / or negotiating the Heritage Easement Agreement. At this time we have not contacted the new owner, but would be willing to on do so the LACAC's behalf.
For your reference and information we have also attached a survey completed by architecture students from the University of Toronto in January of 2001 with their professor Brigitte Shim.
Yours truly,
Michael McClelland Lindsay Reid
May 31, 2006 pa9e 2of5 Art*S KiNG Township of King 292(1 King Road King City. Onlario Planning Department 2075 King Road King City id. M5 833 2331 ww w. :irrcsocielykt ng.ca Ontario L7B 1A1
June 13,2006
Re: File NO. FSDAS-06-01
litre Beit DuUos I am writing in regard to the King City East Functional Servicing/Development Area Study.
At a recent meeting of Arts Society King the following motion was put D.radwicSi forward and passed by the Directors of theorganization.
EaiHtoi bi ■■■ ii.-
J/.jrl ■'■■:■■ i i- 01 •< "Arts Society King feels lhat itis important to protect and preserve ti.m the Richard Serra sculpture known as "Shift" in its existing open space setting in King City."
When considering the future of the Area cunently under study we would C.ithyIW appreciate it if the above motion couid be taken into account asthe sculpture has tremendous international significance and should be available for publicviewing.
Msney Both Flrll (Tob II
Yours Judith Ilmtild-.' Helen .UtCM
Oienon MeCic.wnn Catherine Purcell Garry President', Arts SocietylCing Lindfl Welch 7 cc Fiona Cowles, Heritage King
APPENDIX 'C TO CLERKS DEPARTMENT REPORT CL-2008-03 Appendix 'C (iii) 82
Art Gallery of Ontario Musee des beaux-arts tie I'Ontario
7 December 2005
Township of King Heritage Committee Attn: Fiona Cowles 2075 King Road King City, ON L7B 1A1
Re: Richard Serra's Shift
To the Township of King Heritage Committee,
It is a pleasure for me to write a letter that supports your efforts to preserve a remarkable sculpture by one today's most important artists. Shift is an early example of Richard Serra's work with monumental sculpture. The carefully proportioned and placed concrete components realign how viewers experience and perceive the landscape. The poetic geometry of the massive concrete sections eloquently reflects Serra's interest in the then- prominent movement of Land Art while also foreshadowing his sculpture of the coming decades.
Shift, which is in fine condition three decades following its fabrication, is a cultural asset that should be preserved and celebrated. Beyond the importance of the work itself, Shift is evidence of one collector's grand vision for art in Canada. This vision—which is evident to us perhaps onlywith the privilege of retrospection—should be embraced by local, regional and national communities. Shift should indeed become a pilgrimage art work- made available to diverse audiences who have an interest in contemporary art and culture as well as our evolving natural environment.
I do wish you much success in ensuring that Shift endures as the landmark example of Serra's early art in Canada.
Sincerely,
Dr. David Moos Curator, Contemporary Art
c c Virginia Atkins, King Township Historical Soci APPENDIX 'C TO CLERKS DEPARTMENT REPORT CL-2008-03 Appendix 'C (iv) 83
March 4,2005 CHO
COMMUNITY HERITAGE ONTARIO LE PATRIMOINE COMMUNAOTAIRE DE L'ONTAHIO
Fiona Cowles, King Heritage Committee, Township of King, 2075 King Road, King City, Ontario, L7B 1A1
Dear Ms. Cowles,
I apologize for being so long in responding to your letter to Bob Saunders about the Richard Serra sculpture, Shift, located just outside the village of King City.
From what Bob has told us and after reading the material you sent to him and some other information he had, the Board of Community Heritage Ontario is strongly of the opinion that everything possible should be done to protect this great abstract minimalist sculpture and to make it accessible for the enjoyment of the community and the public. We realize that the present zoning of the land on which it sits gives some small measure of protection - and are unsure of the area's status under the "greenbelt" controls - but feel that further steps need to be taken to ensure its long-term preservation and accessibility. The ideal, of course, would be to have the area become parkland. We encourage the Council in King to take whatever steps are needed to conserve this work.
We recognize the stature of Mr. Serra as an artist and sculptor both in the United States, his home, but also internationally. There are few examples of his work in Canada and this outstanding piece should be seen and interpreted in its context.
Yours sincerely,
PaulR. King, President APPENDIX 'C TO CLERKS DEPARTMENT REPORT CL-2008-03 Community Heritage Ontario - Le Patrimoine Appendix "C (v) HliRITAGE T'DUMIlAl IflN i'ondai ion uu
ON 1'tXtliN
January 7, 2005
Mesdames Virginia Atkins and Fiona Cowles Township of King Heritage Committee 2075King Road King City, Ontario L7B 1A1
Dear Mesdames Atkins and Cowles:
The Ontario Heritage Foundation is the Province's lead heritage agency. It seeks to identify, preserve, protect andpromote Ontario's built, cultural and natural heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.
As you know, under the Ontario Heritage Act, your municipality is ableto designate properties that have "cultural heritage value or interest". Designation provides formal recognition of the significance of a property as well as a measure of protection from demolition and unsympathetic alteration. Your municipality also has the ability to protect heritage properties through heritage conservation easements. Easements are voluntary legal agreements between the owner of the property and the municipality chat protect significant features of a property. The terms of the easement are registered on the property title and apply to the easement donor and all future owners ofthe property. Designation and a municipal easement may be effective tools to help your organization to preserve Richard Sernt's sculpture Shift, located in King City.
Richard Serra is internationally renowned forhis minimalist art and monumental sculpture. He created Shift between 1970 and 1972 during a formative period inhiscareer. Because of its association with Serra, Shift is an important piece of art and a unique cultural artefact. The Ontario Heritage Foundation supports your efforts to work with the present owner of the property to explore the options for protecting this interesting and significant heritage structure.
Sincerely,
Allan Gotlieb Honorary Chairman
11) Aikiaitlc Street East,Toronto, Ontario JML3C 113 li'fcplwne: W I" Sfi tJ3 TcUphiino : Hltu APPENDIX "C TO CLERKS DEPARTMENT REPORT CL-2008-03 Appendix 'C (vi)