“Open Sea” (1985) Phase I @official_wem • The statue was created by Canadian artist Robin Bell [ http://www.robinbell.net/project/12-2/ ], who also created the Phase Two sculpture of the three oil workers titled “Running In” . From the artist’s website “This is my largest sculptural project to date. The head alone weighted 4,500 kgs. It was built during a nineteen month period between 1984-85. At the back of the mouth there is a bench to sit on. In this cave like area I created prehistoric type reliefs of an imaginary whale hunting tribe. I selected the Right Whale because it is found on both Canadian coasts and is the most endangered of the whale species.” Originally the sculpture was set in a shallow pool of water located in Phase II of the mall, from 1985 until the summer of 2010. The whale was formerly located in the center of the main walking aisle of the mall, situated between The Ice Palace and Bourbon Street – directly in front of where Victoria’s Secret is today. (photo credit of whale from Phase II http://www.robinbell.net/ ) The art installation was removed in 2010 to allow more room in front of the Victoria’s Secret store. In 2015 the Whale sculpture returned to have a new home on the main level of Phase I, just outside the entrance to the now former Sears Department Store. The statue was moved once more in 2020, upon news that a Toyota dealership was arriving at West Edmonton Mall. This time the Whale migrated only a short distance to the opposite end of Phase I . West Edmonton Mall 8882 170 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Source: https://bestedmontonmall.com/2021/01/18/bronze-whale-statue-open-sea/, https://globalnews.ca/news/1918227/popular-whale-sculpture-returns-to-west-edmonton-mall/ #opensea #RobinBell #wemwhale #bronze #bronzestatue #bronzesculpture #sculpture #wanderlust #globalgypsy #shoppingmall #thedevilisinthedetails #godisinthedetails #wandering #details #Edmonton #Alberta #Canada #WestEdmontonMall #WEM #YEG #FotoQuartet (at West Edmonton Mall) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTM2cQ2Hb_H/?utm_medium=tumblr