A year ago, I stumbled upon this magical place, by the Ottawa River, where John Ceprano is working on the art of balance. Last year’s work has probably been dismantled naturally during the winter, but the sculptures currently on display just blew my mind. They are taller, bigger, and there are dozens of them.
The weather was gorgeous, with blue sky and big fluffy white clouds looming over the river. The river was so peaceful I caught a few perfect mirror reflections.
I spent an hour there, admiring both the sculptures and the patience needed to perfectly balance all the rocks. The sculptures are so still there were even spider webs spun between them!
How remarkable. I’ve never seen nor heard anything like this. The creativity of people just never ceases to amaze me. Going back to basic, balancing rocks for art. I love it.
Have you heard of “cairn” before?
It’s very similar to Ceprano’s artworks!
This is so unique and creative! Amazing, all of them are well balanced. I like the mushrooms art! 🙂
These are amazing. I suppose the wind eventually knocks them over, right? This requires patience.
Wow, that’s some seriously breath-taking work, Zhu! Gorgeous stuff.
That’s amazing!
wow amazing place! I haven’t seen it yet. How you get there?
I shot Remic Rapids entirely on film the other Sunday, and I still haven’t taken the rolls in for developing yet! But you had a much nicer day than I did — it started pouring just after we finished shooting and I phoned you.
Rock balancing? I have heard of that before when I was in the Philippines, and I for myself didn’t understand what it was all about. Now I know!
Fascinating! I would LOVE this place…and I’d take away a positive message from all that BALANCE around me. Love the hide ‘n seek photo, Chica! 🙂
@Yogi – This is definitely creativity in action. I think the artist just started with a few sculptures and expended over the years.
@London Caller – Yes, it’s the same kind of natural art.
@micki – It does look like mushrooms, doesn’t it?!
@Tulsa Gentleman – I don’t think the wind knock them over, however the water probably does when it raises. It is not a very windy place.
@Lizz – The artist is truly amazing!
@Em – Isn’t it?!
@khatia Caroline – You can take the bus to Tunney’s Pasture/ Parkdale and walk straight to the river. It’s about 4 km from Parliament Hill if you bike/ walk along the river, past the War Museum.
@Gail at Large – Can’t wait to see your pics! You made me think of going back there, and I just loved the clouds and the light that day. I was lucky.
@Linguist-in-Waiting – I had never heard of it before coming to Canada and seeing Inukshucks!
@Scarlet Ily – I agree, the message is quite beautiful too. Nice metaphor for life.
the art of balance.
and here we are as unbalanced
as my checkbook.
These sculptures are mind-blowingly amazing! What a talented guy. Not only are they beautiful, but they seem to be immune to gravity. Unbelievable. Thanks for sharing with us!
So amazing and peaceful, I can picture myself spending several hours there just enjoying the forms. I live only 4 hours away from this Zen place! Maybe I could…
I never saw sculptures like that – these are super neat!
Goodness, I was watching a documentary just the other day on a guy who did rock balancing like this. I am wondering if it was the same guy. That is what gave me the idea for the theme. How amazing that you interpreted it in exactly the same way as I had in mind!!! Great minds, eh? lol! I love the pics you have here. You have captured the art in its full glory. Love the textures, the colours, the forms and the challenge of nature. I especially like the pic of you poking your head out from behind the artwork!!! Brilliant, and it is so lovely to have you on board the photochallenge!!! Hope you are well and having fun x
[…] Rapids, one of the many scenic points along the Ottawa River. This is where you can usually find the Inukshuk sculptures—but this time, no art, just water flooding the […]