parting shot
The First Crossing
PHOTOGRAPHED BY NEIL ZELLER
East Village—Calgary’s newest neighborhood—has seen quite a lot of changes in the last
year. June 2015 was the grand re-opening of the historic Simmons Building, which now houses
Sidewalk Citizen Bakery, Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters, and Charbar restaurant. In the
meantime, an abundance of eco-friendly high rise condos have continued to grow, and the new
prestigious National Music Centre opens in Spring 2016. With its prime location along the Bow
River, East Village has become a Calgary hotspot for festivals, events, and community spirit. Across
the river is St. Patrick’s Island, a secluded oasis right in the middle of Calgary that features plenty
of spots to picnic, naturalized wetlands, and the public art installation Bloom by Michael de Broin.
To arrive on the island, cross over the George C. King Bridge (locally known as the “Skipping Stone
Bridge” due to its round shape). Calgary-based photographer Neil Zeller photographed the bridge
when it officially opened on October 20, 2014, inspiring him to call the shot First Crossing. “For a
pedestrian bridge in Calgary it is very high design and is a pleasure to shoot at any time of the
day, especially the nighttime,” says Zeller. “The low angle of the photograph lends to a dramatic
look, and the water droplets on the deck surface add a unique character to the image. For me,
any new icon like this in Calgary is welcomed, and [is part of] providing Calgary with a proud and
growing legacy of functional design.”
— Janet Davie
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THE ESSENTIAL CALGARY 2015/16