It’s one of the more audacious public-art projects ever proposed in Vancouver. On December 1, Vancouver city council voted in favour of the Torqued Chandelier, designed by celebrated local artist Rodney Graham.

If approved, the five-metre 18th-century-style lighting will be suspended beneath the Granville Bridge. It will hang above Beach Avenue adjacent to Vancouver House, which is Westbank Projects’ twisting 52-storey tower designed by starchitect Bjarke Ingels.

According to Westbank, the chandelier will turn and rise slowly until once a day, when it is released and descends to its original position.

“The purpose of the chandelier is to provide light, animation and visual interest to the public realm in the vicinity of the Vancouver House development,” a city staff report states.

Council also approved another elaborate public-art project: Martin Boyce’s Hanging Lanterns. These lights will be suspended from cables connected to adjacent buildings. This will illumate the lane east of Seymour Street next to Westbank’s Telus Garden building.

Both public-art projects were required by the city as a condition for approving the two Westbank buildings. The company will continue to own and maintain the lighting even though it will remain on city property.

“Since these installations are providing an enhancement to the public realm and enrichment of the public environment and experience for the public, staff are recommending that they will not be subject to an annual charge,” the staff report states.