Thursday, November 2, 2017

Miwate: Getting Dazzled By A Light Or Fire

Miwate is an event currently in its final days here in Ottawa, so if you're in the area and haven't seen it yet, consider yourself on notice to get up there by Sunday night. It is a production by Moment Factory in collaboration with the Algonquin Anishinaabe First Nation, illuminating the Chaudiere Falls in the heart of the Ottawa River with lights, accompanied by music, during the evenings for the last month. This is part of the Canada 150 events, and starts with a series of panels about First Nations history in general and the Anishinaabe in particular. The word itself means 'dazzled by a light or fire', which turns out to be quite appropriate when you see the light show.


The path leads out to a long viewing platform facing the falls, which has been installed for this event and for the long term. Check out a video of the approach here. The falls have been largely cut off from both Ottawa and Gatineau for a century, with industry occupying the islands here and keeping the population at a distance. The viewing platform has been the first chance for most people to get a proper look at the waterfalls.


The light show is about ten minutes long, and waiting for a chance to take it in still gives the photographer some opportunities, with those on the front platform in silhouette against the lights.


The lights themselves are mounted on the dam behind the falls, which spread out over quite a wide area, the water tumbling over the rocks. The show begins, more of which we'll see tomorrow, with lights flashing out over the cascades.

31 comments:

  1. I wonder what it would look like from a drone camera!

    Janis
    GDP

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  2. Nice to see some light in the dark.

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  3. @Bill: definitely!

    @Tom: good phrasing!

    @Francisco: thank you!

    @Janis: that would be cool!

    @Marianne: indeed. I have been several times and have enjoyed it.

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  4. It was on my recent Canadian tour that I learned that your country is now calling native Indians....First Nation people.

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  5. Wow - so many things going on up there this year!

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  6. Wow, cool night shots, William !

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  7. Must be a great show when you are there.

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  8. Awesome show. These shows get better and better with color and music.Sad that the public has not had access to these falls.

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  9. It does look like a wonderful event!

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  10. @Janey: it's a good descriptive term.

    @Cloudia: very cool!

    @RedPat: we've had a lot going on.

    @Whisk: me too.

    @Karl: thanks!

    @Jan: it is!

    @Wendy: it was a good idea.

    @Red: before this you could only see it at a distance from the Chaudiere Bridge. Being able to see these falls like this really is enlightening. It makes you appreciate why the Algonquins had such a reverence for this place.

    @Lois: it is!

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  11. This looks like it is well worth having a look at.

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  12. What an amazing event. Another of your amazing events. I'm super impressed!

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  13. It looks to be a dazzling display!

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  14. cool glare!! very neat for pics. way neat!! ( ;

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  15. Like that fifth photo with the interesting horizontal/vertical and light/dark contrasts.

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  16. You do have some great events.
    Lovely seeing your selection of photographs.

    All the best Jan

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  17. @Sharon: it is! I'm planning on stopping in tonight, and probably once or twice more with it ending on Sunday night. Fortunately for me it's close to home.

    @Lowell: I've been enjoying seeing this event.

    @Christine: it is!

    @Beth: it's a marvel to watch.

    @Revrunner: me too.

    @Jan: thank you.

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  18. Ottawa seems very busy with all these events. Thanks for sharing them, William.

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  19. That looks like a very ambitious undertaking but, unless I'm mistaken, a very long walk.

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  20. It's amazing how many cool "performances" have been happening in Ottawa this year. I hope it's not too disappointing when things return to a more dull roar next year.

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  21. @Bill: we have had quite a lot of events here this year with the anniversary.

    @Mari: thanks!

    @Norma: indeed!

    @Catalyst: not too much of a walk, actually.

    @Kay: it'll be more quiet next year!

    @Jennifer: it was!

    @Klara: definitely.

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