Ron Simmer started making flowers from recycled metal almost 20 years ago to repurpose the otherwise rejected items.

鈥淪ince we live in a world in which almost everything is commoditized, it is [my] challenge to repurpose consumer products into the unusual, amazing, and funny,鈥� he said.

He often uses recycled fire extinguishers for his flowers to create fanciful commentary on modern society. His latest work titled 鈥淣ight Blooms鈥� was installed at Routley Park in 91原创.

With a focus of urban ecology, the piece features a zero-energy footprint and gives a soft, multi-coloured lighting experience from the flower heads powered by solar panels and LEDs.

Public art, however, requires certified material. So Simmer had to hire certified welders and engineers for this piece, he said.

鈥淚 entered the public art area to gain public exposure to my art,鈥� Simmer said. 鈥淢y objective is to make creative public art that will have a positive impact on communities.鈥�

Through this project, the Burnaby man said he learned that public art is more about project management than creativity.

鈥淭he principle activity of the artist is managing budgets and directing a team of skilled people to meet schedules 鈥� partnering with the right people is critical,鈥� he said.

Simmer said public art is important in municipalities because it creates a sense of shared identity.

鈥淚t represents the populations that call the place home, strengthens community ties in the area, and encourage conversations about issues or histories facing the site of the public space,鈥� he explained, adding that public art can be a key factor in establishing a unique and culturally active place.

鈥淎rtwork helps express a community鈥檚 values and creates an elevated sense of awareness for community members and visitors.鈥�

Through his work, Simmer also hopes to take people back to their childhoods by creating large scale toys or colourful birds and animals. His work is inspired by the pop-art movement by creating interactive physical experiences.

For those interested in recycled artwork, Simmer said success in the art world requires much personal marketing such as meeting others, cultivating the right professional groups, and a lot of volunteering at art shows are important to discover opportunities for art exhibitions.

Simmer has created public art installations at Peach Arch Park International Sculpture Exhibition, Vancouver ReVision show, Burnaby Deer Lake Gallery, and the Evans Road round-a-bout public sculpture in Chilliwack, among others.

鈥淣ight Bloom鈥� can be seen at Routley Park located at 19901 70th Ave.

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