Minotaur Unleashed!

The “Minotaur with Hare” by UK artist Sophie Ryder is on display at UBC Botanical Garden for 18 months as part of the Vancouver Sculpture Biennale: Open Spaces 2005/2006. Weighing 800kg and measuring 2.7m (7') tall, the minotaur will overlook a soon-to-be-constructed traditional turf maze, representing the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur.

The Vancouver Sculpture Biennale (Be-en-al-e) is a bi-annual citywide celebration that benefits the city, its citizens and visitors. Growing out of the successful 1998 “Open Spaces” project, the inaugural Vancouver Sculpture Biennale: Open Spaces 2005/2006 will highlight Vancouver's public spaces with an 18-month installation of major public art sculptures.

The event begins in June 2005 and will officially launch in September 2005 with a series of unique unveiling ceremonies. For a period of 18 months, the community of Vancouver and its visitors will be invited to participate and interact in a program of special events generated through the strategic placement of 20 major International public art pieces along the walkways, waterfront parks, pathways and major public spaces of Vancouver. These sculptures will be contextualized in an awareness program of school programs, public contests, lectures and publicity events. The project will boast the participation of some of the world's most celebrated contemporary sculptors from 6 continents.

With the support of the Federal Government, the City of Vancouver and sponsors, the Biennale will be the largest public art exhibit and festival in Vancouver and the only event of its kind in North America.

The Story of the Minotaur

From the accompanying interpretative sign

The story of the Minotaur as told by the classical authors is one of heroism and tragedy. The wife of King Minos of Crete, Pasiphae, was cursed by the god Poseidon with zoophilia, causing her to mate with a bull. Of this union came forth the ghastly Minotaur. The legendary craftsman Daedalus built a labyrinth to house the Minotaur and King Minos exacted a periodic tribute of seven virgins and seven young men from nearby Athens to be given to the Minotaur.

Theseus, son of the King of Athens, resolved to end this practice by offering himself as part of the the tribute. Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, fell in love with Theseus and gave him a magic sword to kill the Minotaur and a thread to help him find his way out of the labyrinth. The deed done, Theseus and Ariadne fled Crete together, although Theseus shortly after callously abandoned Ariadne on the island of Naxos.

There was a final tragic act to this tale. Theseus' father had asked him to change his black sails for white if he remained alive so his safe return could be witnessed from afar. Distracted by the hullabaloo in Crete, Theseus forgot his promise. Thinking his son dead, his father threw himself to his death over the cliffs of Cape Sounion.

In this artwork by Sophie Ryder, the story of the Minotaur is given a non-classical twist as the Minotaur is shown holding a hare, a symbol of swiftness and vulnerability, to contrast with the menacing bulk of the Minotaur itself.

Posted by Daniel Mosquin at 1:38 PM on August 11, 2005