Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Within The Great Hall And The Morning Star

Here are some more views from the Great Hall in the Museum of History. This space, filled with totem poles and First Nations decorations, as well as exhibit space behind the wall, is often used for official state occasions and performances. It was a busy place on Canada Day.


At the south end of the Hall, one can look up- seven stories up, actually- to the dome, where this striking abstract mural has been painted. Morning Star is a work by the Dene artist Alex Janvier, and it is breathtaking to take in. It was done in 1993, covers an area of 418 square metres, and is brilliantly colourful.

34 comments:

  1. Hey! That is a beautiful space. The mural is gorgeous and the totems are amazing. Great photos William!

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  2. Marvelous! A great space full of wonderful exhibits.

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  3. An outstanding place. I love those totem poles and the mural is very impressive. Wonderful photos William!

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  4. Love that museum, remember our visit some time ago.

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  5. Those totem poles are very impressive and the mural is a true beauty.

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  6. The place is huge and the mural looks great but would give me neck ache

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  7. I love this Great Hall. Totem poles look fantastic in the space with high ceiling! Mural is so colorful and beautiful!

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  8. i like that ceiling shot - #2, i think.

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  9. @Pat: thank you!

    @Denise: the architect did beautiful work.

    @Bill: thanks

    @Marianne: it is a must see here.

    @Andy: that it is.

    @Jan: it all seems carefully organized.

    @Bill: which is why they set easy chairs down below so you can look up comfortably.

    @Tamago: it is an amazing work of art.

    @Tex: thanks!

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  10. This is all so very impressive. That Great Hall can go toe to toe with other great halls around the world...and I love the totem poles. But the painting 7 stories up, wow, that's fantastic.

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  11. How wonderful, and your last two photos win the prize for me today, William! :)

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  12. I especially love that mural!

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  13. Yes, very eyecatching. I would stand for quite some time looking up. I can't help making a comparison to other famous dome paintings and thinking that technology makes this much easier.

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  14. The Great Hall is an amazing space William, what a fab display at the moment, the totems are soooo tall! The mural on the dome is spectacular, love that I get to see it without having to get on a plane, merci beaucoup!

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  15. @Lowell: he must have used a scaffolding to create a floor he could walk around on.

    @Linda: thanks!

    @Norma: me too.

    @Red: at the very least they can make scaffolds these days that make it easier than when Michelangelo was doing his work, lying on his back.

    @Karl: thanks!

    @Grace: Douglas Cardinal really worked wonders designing this building.

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  16. That mural is pretty spectacular! I love the colors and the design.

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  17. What a great building! I would love to go there.

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  18. i have always been fascinated by totem poles, my bro was in the boy scouts, made it to an eagle scout, i believe that is the tippy top? ... got to see ones all the time. very fancy or detailed. works of art, indeed. ( :

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  19. I had a boyfriend who's dad was Indian chief. I mean the boy was the first Indian boy to come to our school . Of course us girls went googled eyed for him as he got off the school bus. He won me over. So I am familiar with Totem Poles. Awesome. I like all the other things you are showing.The Abstract Mural. picture one and two ceilings are magnificent.

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  20. @Sharon: if I had to pick a favourite work of art in the national capital region, Morning Star would be it.

    @Jackie: it is. The artist is, I understand, getting a retrospective of his work at the National Gallery soon.

    @Marleen: it's well worth the visit.

    @Beth: they are amazing artifacts.

    @Carolann: thank you!

    @RedPat: very much so.

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  21. I find that I am pleased and elevated by First Nations and Canadian art

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  22. Those latter images remind e of a color wheel.

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  23. I would love to see this in person...and love that ceiling art.

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  24. Love the architecture and that ceiling!

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  25. Looks like a museum well worth visiting.

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  26. This is quite an amazing space and it's nice that so many folks took the time to see the totem poles and all else on your national celebration day.

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  27. Lovely place and beautiful photos.

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  28. @Cloudia: so am I.

    @Revrunner: they stand out.

    @Mari: it is.

    @Kay: it's a pleasure to see every time I'm in.

    @Linda: it is splendid.

    @Gunn: it certainly is.

    @Beatrice: it's a popular museum.

    @Jack: definitely!

    @Orvokki: thanks!

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