Mall art installation celebrates all things Canada
City artist Katriona Dean incorporated as much Canadiana as she could into an installation unveiled at Lansdowne Place on Monday to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary.
Even the 9.98-foot length of the piece, dubbed Freehand, is a reference to the 9.98 million square kilometres Canada encompasses.
“Literally every component of it relates back to Canada. I can’t wait to see all of the selfies taken with it,” the Canada 150 artist said following the unveiling in centre court.
Those who take photographs in front of the installation – which will remain on display in the Lansdowne Street mall until the end of June – can win a trip for two to a Canadian city of their choice as well as daily prizes until May 31.
Dean, who won a contest to design the installation, came up with the idea after reaching out via social media to ask others what Canada means to them. The answer she got more than any other was togetherness and diversity.
To illustrate that, the installation’s sculptures rest in a large human hand shaped to look like bedrock – just like the foundation of Canada itself.
“The hand represents my hand, your hand, our hands – Canada is resting in the hand of diversity,” Dean wrote. “The hand draws together the past, present and future of Canada to showcase its vast beauty and proud nation of diverse people and cultural experiences.”
Its unique look was created by dipping wire mesh-reinforced fabric into glue. It includes a dime with the iconic Bluenose fishing and racing schooner, the CN Tower, a lighthouse, whale tail, totem pole, walrus, mountains and trees.
The project, which took Dean about two months to create, mostly on evenings and weekends, is also three-dimensional. She wants people to be able to take photos with the part of the installation that speaks to them the most.
“It’s really meant to be art that you can get involved with,” she said.
Its bottom is exposed, Dean said, to illustrate the fragility of what holds the country together. “We have to protect that if we want to continue our future with Canada.”
The Peterborough resident said she only takes on art projects that really unite people and feels Freehand will do just that. It should break down barriers by initiating conversations about different aspects of the piece, for example.
That is her goal as an artist, she said. “All of a sudden, it’s not about art anymore ... it’s about bringing people together.”
NOTES: To enter the Faces of Canada Contest, post your photograph on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using #FacesofLP and tag Lansdowne Place using @LansdownePlaceMall on Facebook, @lansdowneplace on Instagram or @LansdownePlace on Twitter ... For a full list of daily prizes, visit www.lansdowneplace.com/events/lansdowne-canada-150faces-of-canada-photo-contest
Art that you can get involved with.”
Katriona Dean