Another stop I made on Canada Day was at the Canadian Museum of History on the Gatineau side of the Ottawa River. Formerly the Museum of Civilization, it has had a large scale reworking of the permanent galleries, which were officially opened on Canada Day by Prince Charles. Douglas Cardinal's architectural masterpiece is always a pleasure to visit.
I could hear the sound of drumming as I approached. What I found was an unusual drum, with a canoe covered over by drum skin.
Hanging in the corridor outside the temporary exhibits was this Canadian flag. This is the first one, flown over Centre Block after the inauguration of the new Canadian flag on February 15th, 1965. Flags on the Peace Tower are flown for a single day, and then sent to those Canadians who want one that flew there. It is a very long list to be on.
A look at my favourite work of art in the National Capital Region- Alex Janvier's Morning Star, which is painted on the dome above the south end of the Grand Hall.
Close by is another artistic treat, a plaster cast of Bill Reid's Spirit Of Haida Gwaii.
There were musicians performing here in the Grand Hall as well.
You certainly got around on Canada Day! It's always a pleasure to see this gorgeous place.
ReplyDeleteLoved to visit that museum, so nice situated and so nice inside.
ReplyDelete...what an interesting building.
ReplyDeletei see a face when i look at that building. very cool design. ( ;
ReplyDeleteVery interesting and beautiful place for a museum. I like the canoe drum and the kids enjoy drumming it. Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteHello, I love the design of the museum. Cool looking building. The canoe drum is neat, looks like a fun time.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thursday, enjoy your day!
@Kay: it is a wonderful place.
ReplyDelete@Marianne: it's a great design.
@Tom: definitely.
@Beth: so do I.
@Nancy: it's a great setting.
@Eileen: thank you!
That canoe drum is great, must produce a special sound, I think.
ReplyDeleteI could spend all day there!
ReplyDeleteI love the painting in the dome.
Janis
GDP
This is the first time I've seen a photo of the entrance to the Museum. Stunning!
ReplyDeleteReally wonderful artwork- thanks for sharing your day!
ReplyDeleteI think that drumming would have drawn me in and that unusual drum is a perfect subject for the camera.
ReplyDelete@Jan: it really resonated.
ReplyDelete@Janis: it's easy to spend a day here.
@Red: I've featured it before, from different angles, but it's been awhile since I last did a head-on close view like that of the entrance.
@Christine: thank you!
@Sharon: it was a first for me!
I like the canoe drum. Wonder who came up with such unique idea :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's always lovely to see Morning Star!
I would enjoy this museum, William. Lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteThere was a very good show about Douglas Cardinal on CBC just before Canada Day. What a nice guy he seems to be!
ReplyDeleteThe drum skin over the canoe is very cool. The building reminds me of the American Indian Museum in design. If you go here you will see what I mean:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.si.edu/museums/american-indian-museum
There is also a water area to the side of our building, and a small waterfall. I can see why Alex Janvier's Morning Star is your favorite. It is a beautiful work of art, and I also liked the sculptures very much.
What a lovely museum, I would enjoy it very much. Love the canoe drum, it's unique.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't look like a war drum with that fuzzy looking mallet. :-)
ReplyDelete@Tamago: it's quite unusual!
ReplyDelete@Linda: thank you!
@RedPat: he's quite talented.
@Denise: same architect! Cardinal did that one too.
@Bill: it's a great museum.
@Revrunner: definitely not!
I'd be first in line to explore that nice museum, it has an harmonious theme...but is it free of the aroma of coffee?...we simply can't have any venue without a cafe and coffee! At least, it means we drink more milk.
ReplyDeleteGreat art and musicians to boot! how nice.
ReplyDeleteWonderful museum!
ReplyDeleteOh, I remember that great hall, my favourite part of our visit to Ottawa.
ReplyDeleteLove that "morning star." I miss your posts on FB but the Shawshank references are fun to see.
ReplyDelete@Julia: cafes are pretty much a must in museums! All of our national museums have something for a bite to eat.
ReplyDelete@Janey: it was quite a day.
@Mari: it certainly is.
@Furry Gnome: it's a joy to take in the hall.
@Linda: I'll be back, like Ah-nuld said. In the meantime, I can have a bit of fun with it.
WOW! What a drum! This is fun!
ReplyDeleteIt was.
DeleteLooks like a great event.
ReplyDeleteI like the architecture and the colourful artistic Morning Star!
Thanks!
DeleteI've always loved that mural!
ReplyDeleteMe too.
DeleteCanoe drum and magnificent art!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
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