Olympic Tax Burden

VANOC Directive

"The artist shall at all times refrain from making any negative or derogatory remarks respecting VANOC, the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Olympic movement generally, Bell and/or other sponsors associated with VANOC."

See
Victoria TV Chex News Interview

I thought we were a Democratic Society with freedom of speech and expression

I was inspired to make this political statement because of the Vanoc policies and the way in which the Arts are been treated with dictitorial directives by Vanoc and the City of Vancouver, to remove images or sculptures that they claimed was not in the best interest of the Olympics.

I am not in favour of the ELITE aspect of the Olympics as it has taken away Millions of funding dollars from the Kids, the Arts and Health services.

One wonders how the BILLION $ security expense could have helped so many people across Canada.

Announced Feb 11th. An added cost of 16 Million, in a new facility in Richmond BC, for dope testing of “ ELITE” Athletes

The BC Liberals are arguing that it is the Economic turndown that caused the cut back. It begs the question, why have the other provinces not made the same drastic cuts to social programs.

See Open letter to Gordon Campbell.....

Tax Burden
Blue and Green rings represent Health, Education and Arts
which have been nailed and screwed. (Liberal Funding Cuts).

Red ring represents the Athletics
Yellow ring represents the Politics
neither have been nailed and screwed.

Made from blocks of cedar, steel,
ABS tubing Cross platform of Oak Plywood
Size 6 ft x 40” x 24”

The metal award, on the Inukshuk reads
“Tax Burden“

This work was accepted for inclusion in the Exhibition
“Legacies 2010” at the Pentiction Art Gallery.

Funding the Arts is the measure of Society’s vitality.
Funding the Sports is the measure of Society’s Physical vitality.

Another way is needed to nurture and develop Olympian atheletes... The cost of security is driving the financial viability beyond practicality. The Olympics need to pick a world site and have all participating countries contribute financially if they wish to participate.

Some may say that as an artist I am opposed to sports. For the record, when I lived in Quebec I volunteered for 12 year in minor hockey, spending 3 years as President. There were 1200 kids in the program supported by 100 coaches, 100 referees and 40 board members.

HERE IS A HEADS UP FOR BC LIBERALS
"Ignorance is curable, Stupidity is forever."