This sculptural work stands along the Rideau Canal downtown, with the Ottawa Convention Centre behind it. It's been moved here in recent years from across the Canal where it stood alongside the National Arts Centre. The work is called Balancing, by a New Brunswick artist, John Hopper. The five figures are larger than life. It's a wood carved sculpture, and it has a whimsical touch that I like.
The back of the Government Conference Centre can be seen in the background, and here we get a view of the Grumpy Old Man. You can practically hear his harumph.
These are such fun!
ReplyDeleteIn the past, public art was heroic, memorial, uplifting. Now it's a friggen 3 ring circus! LOL
ReplyDeleteLove them, BTW, William
ALOHA ha
from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= . <3 . >< } } (°>
I love this. A touch of whimsey is good for the soul. MB
ReplyDeleteLove these! I can't imagine anyone walking by without cracking the smallest of smiles. :)
ReplyDeleteLol, what a change! Funny and colourful!
ReplyDeleteVery cool: They're like 3-D cartoon characters.
ReplyDeleteGreat sculpture but they all look grumpy
ReplyDeleteUnusual - unique? I can see why they might be likeable; even grumpy old men need loving!
ReplyDeleteSeeing sculptures in colour is rare sight.
ReplyDeleteSuch a funny sculpture, I like it.
ReplyDeleteHe's taking up space on the bench.
ReplyDeleteHarrummph! :-)
Deleteit is cute :)
ReplyDeleteLove them!
ReplyDeleteThis is great fun! Looks a little like they're lost in time what with those Beatle haircuts! Grumpy old men are my forte!
ReplyDelete@Linda: I've always thought so when I've passed this in the past.
ReplyDelete@Cloudia: and quite a circus at that!
@MB: it certainly is!
@Halcyon: it would take a really grumpy person to not do so.
@Ciel: I figured this would get that kind of reacton.
@Stuart: they certainly do.
@Bill: at second glance, yes!
Love these, funny sculptures!
ReplyDelete@Mike: they might not want it though!
ReplyDelete@Andy: that's quite true.
@Bieb: thank you!
@Revrunner: he is!
@Tex: a little different from what you'd expect in a government city.
@Hilary: thank you!
@Lowell: there is a lost in time aspect to it.
I like the artist's sense of whimsy.
ReplyDeleteI agree, very whimsical!
ReplyDeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteSo the 'gang' have arrived downtown hey William :) I like them.. especially Mr Grumpy!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Grace!
ReplyDelete...just being kids. Later, he probably got up and danced.
ReplyDeleteAnother kind of statues I can like...
ReplyDelete@Karl: a lot of people seem to be having that reaction!
ReplyDelete@EG: it's an overdose of whimsy!
@Sharon: that seems to be the consensus.
@Luis: thank you!
@Grace: I'll have to photograph these again in closeup on Mr. Grumpy's face!
@Norma: Mr. Grumpy would have a few things in common with Grumpy Cat.
@Birdman: that's possible!
@VP: thank you!
It's colorful and it's cute and I like it!
ReplyDeleteThese are great, and I definitely love a touch of the whimsical. They make me smile :)
ReplyDeleteOh, that is a fun sculpture!
ReplyDeleteI like that piece a lot!
ReplyDeleteThat's cool ! Grumpy old men isn't that our government lol ! Thanks for sharing great photos ! Have a good day !
ReplyDeleteDifferent, and nice!
ReplyDeleteHow cute! I like your title a lot better than Balancing, though!
ReplyDeleteA definite winner. Brings a smile!
ReplyDelete@Judy: thank you!
ReplyDelete@Denise: it's quite unlike many statues here.
@Anita: thanks!
@RedPat: thank you!
@Country Gal: rumour has it that the PM relates to Grumpy.
@Marleen: thanks!
@Cheryl: it seemed apt!
@Lauren: thank you!
Neat!
ReplyDeleteI like it too!
ReplyDeleteI too like the whimsical. If I had a large yard, I'd make something....
ReplyDeletei wish one was smiling? love the guy with the mustache. that is too funny!! ( :
ReplyDeletewhat cool art.
It does look like fun! Doesn't that guy in the brown suit look just like someone from a government agency, about to take notes?!
ReplyDelete@Jen: it is!
ReplyDelete@Linda: it's whimsical. I'm hoping it returns soon. The work around the government conference centre seems to have sent them away.
@Pat: these would take up a good part of a yard!
@Beth: I think so!
@Kay: he does!