A piece of artwork proposed for Renaissance Square is generating considerable conversation among Quayside residents.

Aragon Developments, which has built the Murano and Q buildings at the Quay, is offering to donate a piece of public art to replace the pillars in the centre of the traffic circle at Renaissance Square.

"It was an offering made from one of their towers a few years ago," said Lisa Spitale, the city's director of development services. "This is an outstanding offering."

Since making the offer of a donation of public art to the city, Aragon has researched artists and commissioned an artist to bring forward a model. Artist David Robinson made a presentation to several city staff about the concept of the piece.

"It's called Flight Vision," said David Roppel, development manager for Aragon. "It is a human figure on stilts."

Roppel said Aragon's offer of public art predates the city's public art policy. He said the offer was made in 2000, when dealing with the development permit for the buildings at the Quay.

"We would like to contribute a community amenity to the neighbourhood," he said. "At the time, that was what we agreed to. We have a commitment to put a piece of public art in the square."

Roppel said Aragon internally reviewed artists and selected Robinson.

He's produced a 16-inch model in metal and bronze, but the final product would be made of a fibre-reinforced concrete that's covered with a bronze colouring.

"The plan is to take that model and scale it up," he said of the model.

In December, about 20 people attended a meeting at the Quay to view the model.

Roppel said he's received lots of feedback about the proposed public art. In addition to the 30 or so e-mails he's received to date, he expects to get more as the process unfolds.

According to Roppel, most people have offered negative comments about the proposed artwork. He estimates he's received one positive response for every 10.

"The goal wasn't to create discussion," he said. "The goal was to put an impressive and important piece of art in New Westminster and help kick off a new public art approach."

Robinson, an award-winning sculptor, has had numerous exhibitions. His pieces are in collections across Canada and in California.

Roppel said the goal was to bring forward an innovative piece of art but noted that everyone's opinion of innovative is different.

With the Q tower expected to be occupied by residents by the end of the month, Aragon is hoping to have another public meeting at that building in January.

Spitale said a commitment was made to go to the community and seek input about the proposed artwork.

"The city is receiving a significant amount of community feedback," Spitale said.

Matthew Laird, who lives near the proposed location of the public art, said the piece would stand 20 to 25 feet high on a three- to six-foot pedestal.

"It's a beautiful piece but not appropriate for that location," he said. "People were making comparisons to that Body Works exhibit at Science World a few years ago, and a crucifixion."

Laird, who attended the meeting to view the proposed design, said most people don't think the artwork is compatible with the river or with the Venetian-themed buildings along the riverfront. He said none of the residents he spoke with at the meeting supported the artwork at its proposed location.

Notices are being posted on buildings at the Quay to ask that people make their views on the art known to Aragon Developments and the City of New Westminster.

James Crosty, president of the Quayside Community Board, said the board has received a number of e-mails on the artwork, with people referring to it as scary, hideous and inappropriate.

"I haven't had one person send me an e-mail saying they like it," he said. "It's not indicative of the neighbourhood. It has nothing to do with the feeling of the buildings in the neighbourhood, the river or the city."

Crosty said he believes the artwork would be more suited to a location near an arts centre. He doesn't think Flight Vision is an appropriate family- and community-friendly piece of artwork for this particular area.