Remic Rapids, on the Ottawa River, is home to an original artistic project: the “art of balance”, by local artist John Ceprano.
Every year, John creates beautiful sculptures, placing stones one of top of the other. They are similar to the traditional Inuit symbols: the inukshuks. And every year, as the water rises and winter begins, the ice naturally dismantles the art.
Everything is perfectly balanced, and no tool is used to create the sculptures. Pretty unique, isn’t it?
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It’s indeed very unique…how did he put them together? With super glue?
this is interesting. i love how artistic they can be… people here are so boring that i don’t think i’ll have the chance to see them doing these artworks in public, lol!
Unique and starkly beautiful.
Try making one. We have – at the cottage.
.-= Beth´s last blog ..How I Spent My Summer Vacation =-.
Absolutely love it.
Hope you’re enjoying your Summer Zhu 🙂
.-= Agnes´s last blog .."And ’cause I was a gazillionaire, and I liked doin’ it so much, I cut that grass for free." =-.
I have heard about this but not seen it. Your photos answer all my questions. I like the idea that the art represents temporary beauty. Everything, even our lives are temporary.
.-= Tulsa Gentleman´s last blog ..Back to School =-.
hi Zhu, this is so unique n beautiful. I love these native designs. . so simple but very attractive!
.-= priyank´s last blog ..Toronto Tuesday 01.29 =-.
Oh, these are so beautiful and simple. And innovative as well. Never seen such beauty before.
I absolutely fell in love with these. 🙂
.-= Cuckoo´s last blog ..Great Wall of Mumbai =-.
Wow they are pretty special. How unique and interesting and creative. Thanks for sharing 🙂
.-= Lis of the North´s last blog ..So many books … =-.
Beautiful and what original works of art! I’ve never seen anything like it…and I’d love to try something like this here in Miami (if I could find some nice rocks!).
.-= Scarlet´s last blog ..a special guest =-.
Beautiful! So organically perfect – the best kind of art, in my opinion. Absolutely love it.
.-= Brenda´s last blog ..Camping … finally! =-.
How does he do it?
.-= silverneurotic´s last blog ..Away to Oz =-.
i love that, the stacking of stones. i’ve seen that in hawaii too, on maui and the big island. i think there is a wish that goes with each stack. it becomes mystical. they are like prayers.
.-= Seraphine´s last blog ..“To who ever is taking my money, please stop.” =-.
Wow! That art rocks! So beautiful, so natural – and how well captured of you (especially in the last pic 🙂
.-= RennyBA’s Terella´s last blog ..Blog Gathering in Provence France visits Le Castelle =-.
@Bluefish – Just balancing rocks! I know, it’s amazing… I wouldn’t have the patience!
@kyh – Really? Canadian artists are pretty inventive, I can’t complain.
@Beth – Did you make yours?
@Agnes – Thank you!
@Tulsa Gentleman – I also like the idea that you can build beautiful things with very little…
@priyank – I love it too! First time I got to see so many.
@Cuckoo – I’d offer to ship you one but they may be heavy 😆
@Lis of the North – It is pretty unique, all his work is beautiful.
@Scarlet – That would be original! Scarlet, bringing the North to Miami… your new tagline 😆
@Brenda – Have you seen some in Toronto?
@silverneurotic – He just balances rocks. Some are flat enough to act as “glue” I guess.
@Seraphine – I think originally they were like maps for Inuits in the North.
@RennyBA’s Terella – Thank you! I like sitting by rocks, makes me small 😆
I’m surprised Renny didnt mention it. In Norway they often make a balanced pile of rocks at the peak of a mountain to sort of mark the top and say I have been here. We call them varder. The remind me of the balanced creations you have captured here.
.-= DianeCA´s last blog ..Remembering blog gathering in Le Castellet, Provence =-.
Hey Zhu,
It looks great indeed! What an artist (when I think that he didn’t use any tool)!!
Girl, you look great! Your hair is longer…isn’t it?
Anyway, have a great week ahead :D!
Cheers
.-= Max Coutinho´s last blog ..A comment on two issues… =-.
Very cool! he should make a giant rock shark sculpture as well, to remind people how dangerous swimming is because sharks are everywhere.
.-= Seb´s last blog ..More Alphabetic Misadventures: P is for Persuasive =-.
Jeesh. I visited my partner in Ottawa last October when he was working on Parliament Hill. We visited and really enjoyed the Autumn colours in Gataneau Park but missed the rock sculptures. I would have loved to see them. If only I’d known! Next time.
@DianeCA – No, he hasn’t! I’d be curious to see some picture if you ever get the chance to post any.
@Max Coutinho – That makes me think I need a haircut! 😆 My hair grow extremely fast. You’d think it’s a blessing… but I’m complaing 😆
@Seb – Sharks, and bears. Don’t forget the bears.
@Adam – Well, this was the first visit for me, and I’ve been living in Ottawa for quite a while! I didn’t know about it actually, a friend told me. Next time!
What interesting work… I like the ones where he has used round stones for the heads of animal creatures. Nice!
oh yeah! i vaguely remember being told to stack two stones, then place a third stone next to the stack indicating the direction you were walking. i forgot all about that.
heh, in case i get lost in the woods.
also, you can make tea using pine needles.
.-= Seraphine´s last blog ..Full Disclosure Up/side/Down =-.
I see Inukshuks all over the place and never take any pictures of them. I will take a few snapshots and compile them in a post soon, because I love these sculptures!
.-= Gabriel´s last blog ..Oshawa wanted the best, now they finally got the best =-.
Yea, it’s pretty unique Zhu – and now we both know that Norway have got one as a gift to prove our peoples good old friendship!
Btw1: Sorry I’m not that much around commenting these days! A combination of overload work and Winter Olympics takes most of the time.
Right now I am watching Norway vs Sweden in Curling and if we beet them, we probably go to the semi final… and then: Maybe we meet in the final!?!
Btw2: How do you like the Norwegian Curling Team’s trousers ?
.-= RennyBA’s Terella´s last blog ..Winter Olympics 2010 Inuksuk from Canada in Norway =-.
Oh wow!!! Those are incredible! I like how some of them look like little birds!
Amazing that they simply use gravity and balance to stay standing!
Thanks for showing these pictures!
Have a great day.