An open letter to White Rock mayor Wayne Baldwin.
In light of the beached humpback whale at East Beach in White Rock earlier this year, I had a thought for a unique piece of artwork that would add an additional landmark to the City of White Rock.
It would be photographed by tourists and locals alike, played upon, observed, and enjoyed.
The idea is for a life-sized, metal casting of the beached whale to be situated to the immediate east or west of the White Rock pier.
The humpback whale sculpture would be anchored into the sand, halfway down the length of the pier, so that it would appear and disappear with the coming and going of the tides. At high tide, the sculpture would not be visible, as it would be covered in water; however, at low tide, it would reappear.
I believe that people would not only enjoy the life-sized whale sculpture as an art piece, but would also love watching the rising or falling tide cover or uncover the sculpture, while having dinner, walking along the promenade or simply watching it from the pier.
The area of sand suggested for the placement of the whale sculpture would not cause any environmental damage or impact any eel grass habitat. This area currently has only bare sand substrate, and fully dries out at low tide events.
I hope that the City of White Rock takes this idea into consideration, as I know it would be of great benefit for the city, and add joy to all those from around the world who will see and appreciate it.
Claude Cartelier, White Rock