It occurred to me after the fact that my final photo from yesterday could drive one crazy if turned into a two thousand piece jigsaw puzzle.
Ottawa City Hall has a couple of art galleries. The first is temporary extra space for the Ottawa Art Gallery while expansion work at Arts Court continues. The second, the Karsh-Masson Gallery, has a rotating schedule for artists to present their works. In December and January, the space was given over to two artists, Anna Frlan and Gail Bourgeois, to display their work. I thought of this particular sculpture by Ms. Frlan for the theme day yesterday, but quickly found so many different angles for it that I decided to present it by itself. It is called Renewal; the listings of the various installations of this exhibit, though rather sparse on detail, included three words for this one- deactivated land mines. Whether or not that includes actual former weaponry is a question, but the artist works with steel in her sculptures. The result is formidable- like a Nazgul out of Tolkien's Middle Earth or a tornado depending on how you look at it. Have a look at Marleen's post from yesterday for another sculpture that reminded me of this.
That IS an arresting sculpture - I see what you mean. Though it also looks a little like a badly burned tree. Maybe that's the point - renewal.
ReplyDeleteThere is indeed a remarkable resemblance, William. Isn´t that a coincidence! Having a closer look at this one it seems to have thousands of steel leaves, and makes me wonder what it would look like if the artist had used Fall colours...
ReplyDeleteI noticed the resemblance too!
ReplyDeleteIt is a very heavy, perhaps oppressive?, work of art.
ReplyDeleteJanis
GDP
This would have also been a good choice. Though it's a bit gloomy.
ReplyDeleteneat-O! i was thinking puzzle pieces, but then leaves ... then got a closer enlarged look ... so cool!! ( ;
ReplyDeleteA very interesting sculpture and a sad statement for countries that gave to deal with active land mines. So destructive.
ReplyDeleteInteresting!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a rotating schedule. Much must be in storage.
ReplyDeleteIt has a bit of an intimidating feel to it.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting piece of art.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to say ... it's massive, dark and brooding! Scary even!
ReplyDelete@Mike: I can see a scorched tree in it too.
ReplyDelete@Marleen: that would have been quite different.
@Marianne: yes, the sculpture from Marleen's page really evoked this as well.
@Janis: oppressive is a good term for it.
@Halcyon: it does have that effect.
@Beth: thanks!
@Pamela: true.
@Cloudia: I think so.
@Jennifer: it does give the artists some exposure, and I like stopping in every once in awhile to see what's new.
@Sharon: it certainly does.
@Nancy: I agree.
@Lowell: it is!
Interesting. A real mesmerizer.
ReplyDeleteMB
reminds me of some type of mushroom.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
It gives me a strong sense of foreboding.
ReplyDeleteIt does look gloomy! :)
ReplyDeleteIt has a feeling of evil about it!
ReplyDeleteIs it steel from the Mines of Moria? It looks like that ;) The sculpture scares me, to be honest. Maybe it's because you mentioned Nazguls...
ReplyDelete@MB: it really caught my attention.
ReplyDelete@Dora: I hadn't thought of that!
@Catalyst: it certainly does.
@Linda: it has that feel.
@RedPat: I think so. It's certainly bringing out strong reactions.
@Klara: it wouldn't be out of place in the Mines! It did certainly evoke Tolkien the first time I saw it, but looking at it again, I also find myself thinking of the Dementors from the Harry Potter books.
Yikes! That would be a pretty creepy thing for security guards to bump into late at night.
ReplyDeleteVery detailed. Would I take a long look at this one? I'm not sure.
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting art work. I like it a lot. Would have been fascinating to see it created.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be the kill joy. Like so many of the modern sculptures it says nothing to me. I don't even consider it art.
ReplyDeleteI think you nailed it: Nazgul!
ReplyDeleteFormidable is the right word. BTW, you were a bit harsh with that spammer but it made me chuckle!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh when you enlarge the images this really is a complex and amazing sculpture William.. it also made me think a little of my black swans today 😊
ReplyDeleteI love black and white photos.
ReplyDeleteSo that's why it looks familiar!
ReplyDelete@Revrunner: as this room has but one entrance, it's easy enough for them to lock it up at night and avoid bumping into it!
ReplyDelete@Red: I really liked it.
@Denise: I agree with that.
@Mari: different folks, different tastes.
@Kay: very much so!
@Linda: oh, I love going after spammers.
@Grace: I can see that!
@Whisk: so do I.
@Norma: indeed!