Shift designation delayed by desire for more dialogue
By Anneleen Naudts

Efforts to place a heritage desigation on Richard Serra's famous Shift sculpture in King City hit a bit of a snag at Monday's council meeting, as property owners requested more time for dialogue.

King Township Heritage Committee (KTHC), in its appeal to council to consider designating the portion of land containing Shift at 12605 Keele St. as having cultural heritage value, will have to wait at least two more weeks.

This delay came after Beth Halpenny, speaking on behalf of Great Gulf Group, requested the proposed designation to be deferred.

More time would allow the owners of the property in the southwest corner of the village an opportunity to have some dialogue with principals and council, said Halpenny. She added that the intent is to achieve greater clarity on what KTHC hopes to accomplish.

The owners need time to consider the implications to the company, and meaningful dialogue will assist in this matter, Halpenny argued. She identified potential financial and maintenance as issues that would have to be discussed prior to designating the site.

"There will be no action to hinder the sculpture?" inquired Mayor Margaret Black and Halpenny assured her there wouldn't be.

There seemed to be few concerns over the intentions of the property owners. Councillor Cleve Mortelliti pointed to the good track record of the company.

The owners have indicated no intention to destroy or change the statue, stated the report prepared by Township Clerk Chris Somerville.

The artist himself made an appeal to council to protect his work.

"Shift is one of my very first seminal landscape sculptures and has been acknowledged by many scholars and critics," Richard Serra wrote in a letter to Elaine Robertson, chair of KTHC.

Robertson, while addressing council, referred to Serra as a "titan of sculpture," one of the "last modernists," and a "world-renowned" artist.

When Councillor Jane Underhill asked her if designation would place an onus on the owners, Robertson replied the owners "should be very proud."

"We'd welcome to give advice as needed," she added.

Patrick Gossage, former chair of the Toronto Preservation Board and member of KTHC, urged council to take action in "what should be a totally self-evident cause." Gossage noted Serra is one of the most honoured sculptors of our time, and that Shift has been prominently featured in reviews.

Serra's important work should no longer "languish in jeopardy and obscurity," he concluded.

Virginia Atkins of the King Township Historical Society addressed council stating she strongly and passionately hoped something positive could take place

Councillor Jeff Laidlaw, saying he understood both sides, inquired about the possibile timeline to resolve the matter.

"The sooner, the better," Halpenny replied.

Council agreed they would like to see the designation resolved as soon as possible. Councillor Bill Cober, seeking the right way to move forward, stated council would "have to be conscious of the needs of the owners."

Speaking from his real estate background, Councillor Jack Rupke agreed there should be an opportunity for the owners to take a look at the report.

He noted Shift has been there since 1970, indicating there was "no necessity to force a decision today."

Mortelliti made an appeal to council on the need to designate Shift for social reasons. Art, history, culture are "what separates us from lower primates," he dec;lared, arguing it's government's responsibility to protect art.

He added an adversarial relationship with the owners would be inadvisable, making cooperation the preferred course of action.

Councillor Linda Pabst, while in support of the designation, said she "would like to see the owner approve (it)." She asked if it would not be better for all parties to sit down and promote cooperation among everyone.

Cober agreed with Pabst, stating it is better to "walk before we run."

Black, imagining what it would be like if Shift were located on her property, concluded she too would want an opportunity to sit down to work out details.

Council agreed that while protecting Shift is important, before proceeding there should be an opportunity for dialogue.