Balanced Rock Art

Ottawa Rock Art

 

BALANCED ROCK SCULPTURES




1986-2026




The day I came upon the site at Remic Rapids Park in 1986, I immediately knew I came upon a "Power Spot".
I did not see rocks, I only saw energy.

A 'Power Spot', according to North American Indigenous cultures, is a place which provides healing, peace, energy, and inspiration. 

I knew finding a "Power Spot" is a gift, and also bestows a responsibility to 'make it shine'. 

My first attention was the sound of the river's rapids. The second attention was the water and the space of the site and wide river. The third attention became the rocks, and I was amazed by the variety of shapes, colours and textures. Thus the process of creation was identified, whether I understood it or not.

 I had never worked with rocks in my art practise, but the site provided an amazing inspiration. The balancing of rocks was influenced by Taoism and Physics, plus my experiences as a painter. I studied Indigenous cultures,  shamanism and that the earth is a sentient being, and is to be treated with gratitude and respect.

 

The riverbed is solid limestone, about 500 million years old, and heavily fossilized. The riverbed surface is terraced and flat, with numerous geometric lines etched into it. The round rocks, which are over 1 billion years old, were deposited by the glaciers, and found their way into the river, which created their very smooth surfaces.

              


Each year's project evolves from the previous. Each spring, the entire project is washed away by rising river currents,  leaving the rocks underwater.

 Each seasonal project receives a theme, often with characters that represent it, and tell a story.
 
 

The theme develops and transforms through the season, learning more about the theme as the project develops.  

 

I like that people see what they like, and also sharing the story I am discovering. I like that people think about what they see, and are surprised that they are free standing, unattached, and stable enough to withstand even gusty winds.

An addition to the yearly project includes a wide varietyy of performing artists in dance, theatre, and music. All events are free to the public. 

 

The energy of the site is sacred.

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The project received a Canada Council for the Arts grant in 1989, and has been contracted by the National Capital Commission of Ottawa since 2000.

 

 

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The site is unceded Anishinaabe-Algonquin territory, and has never been formally transferred to Canada.

  

  


All work is under copyright 

with COVA
"Copyright Visual Arts"
 https://cova-daav.ca/en/




 

 

 

 

 

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