Group exhibition, Connections/Connexions. Living/Drying installation, Confederation Park, Ottawa, On., August 2011. Teff seeds, wheat berries, burlap, cedar posts, metal pole, map of Rideau/Outaouais waterways.
Like Veins Across Heart
Under the artistic direction of Mary Faught, the Rideau Canal Festival commissioned ten artists to work with the theme of Connections. Our temporary public artworks became a part of Confederation Park in a huge outdoor gallery from July 28 – August 1, 2011. My living / dying tapestry, ‘like veins across heart’ wove plant matter across burlap. Centering around the Rideau, Outaouais and Gatineau waterways, it maps out the connections between the Ottawa/Gatineau region’s major arteries.
Almost two centuries ago, the Rideau Canal was built by Britain for strategic purposes in competition with the United States for control of the region. From the Outaouais to the St. Lawrence, it became a major artery for the passage of people and commerce. Culture flows through our waterways like blood through veins. This living tapestry maps out the lines of the Rideau Canal, like the veins in our bodies. Flowing from canal to river to lake, this piece illustrates the common source that connects people to the Canal and to our shared culture and history: it connects our city neighborhoods, Ottawa to Kingston and communities in between. It connects us to the other 911 World Heritage sites in over 150 countries around the world, and helps in connecting Canada’s 14 World Heritage sites with Parks Canada’s 100th Anniversary.
Comme les Veins Croisent le Coeur
Dix artistes ont fabriquer des installations interactives inspirées de notre site patrimoine mondial, le canal Rideau. Travaillant sous le thème “Connexions”, ces installations d’arts temporaires sont devenu une gigantesque gallérie d’arts en plein air, située au parc de la Confédération.
Le canal Rideau représente un symbole unique au Canada, qui unit une culture locale avec un passé riche en histoire. Cette connexion relie d’avantage les communautés environnantes d’Ottawa et ce, jusqu’à la ville de Kingston. Le canal Rideau fait partie intégrante d’autant plus des sites patrimoniaux à travers le monde, c’est-à-dire, les 911 sites situés parmi 151 pays. Le Canada, en ce 100e anniversaire de Parcs Canada, responsable de la conservation du canal Rideau, possède en tout quatorze sites patrimoniaux mondiaux. En tant que citoyens et citoyennes nous célébrons cette connexion à notre environnement, de proche et de loin tout en tentant de conserver et protéger les endroits de la planète qui sont riche en art, culture et patrimoine.