Unveilling of sculptures for ArtConnect Project
Philip H. Cote with “Life Flows into the Four Directions”
David M. General with “Maanjidowin” (The Gathering)
Ludzer Vandermolen, Vice Graham, Peter Sutherland “Thurtle” and “Current”
For: Port Credit 175th Anniversary Celebration
Organized by: Port Credit Village Project
Supported by: The Waterside Inn
Under Port Credit’s 175th Anniversary Executive Committee’s umbrella of celebratory events, the Port Credit Village Project presents its ArtConnect Project to stimulate the installation of a significant, permanent interpretive sculpture in the community.
Three teams of professional artists: David M General, Philip Cote, and the team of Ludzer Vandermolen,
Vince Graham and Peter Sutherland presented their creative vision for the ArtConnect sculpture project.
Dignitaries: Paul Szabo, M.P. (Mississauga South) and Charles Sousa, M.P.P. (Mississauga South) spoke in support of the artists’ work. Public comments were captured and archived.
Ideas for public art sculpture to acknowledge Port Credit’s 175 anniversary.
Great public art enhances, energizes and defines its surroundings, generating civic pride and creating a sense of place.
The purpose of the ArtConnect project is to mark Port Credit’s 175th anniversary and to present an idea for artistic expression of its long and rich community history.
Project Background
This Expression of Interest is presented to the art community by the Port Credit Village Project, an independent community group which strives to represent the interests of the Port Credit community. The City of Mississauga has not been involved in the development of this Expression of Interest. This EOI is presented as an IDEAS Competition
Art Project Principles
Public art should be perceived as part of the very nature of the Port Credit community.
The artworks should embody the highest quality and creativity and invite public interest and interaction with the area.
The plan should be multi-layered offering varied approaches and opportunities for local artists as well as international caliber projects.
Where possible, projects should encourage partnerships and linkages between various segments of the community.
Projects should respect public safety, urban design objectives and environmental considerations.
Artworks should be appropriate for the site and multiple audiences.
Art Project Criteria
This artwork requires a professional artist with experience working on public projects that involve community collaborations. Additionally the artwork must strive to achieve the following objectives:
Embrace the magnificence of the lake, channel and estuary.
Elevate the experience of the visitor and positively alter the entire sense of place.
Be a distinctive, high-profile artwork as an expression of Port Credit that will celebrate the significant linkage between the past and present, heritage and art, community and the spirit of place.
Located centrally in the Port Credit core to connect with the origins of Port Credit adjacent to the river.
Located to become a part of a premier gathering space for social, recreational and festival activities.
Maanjidowin (The Gathering)
David M. General
Maanjidowin is a work in bronze celebrating the earliest gatherings on nearby shores where a rich estuary meets a Great Lake. Maanjidowin is a gathering of three mythical fishers attracted to the area for the same reasons numerous human generations have built the lives here – abundant resources, a natural place to congregate and safety from lake storms.
The Three mythical fishers – half human, half animal are: Mukwa (Bear), Nigig (Otter) and Migizi (Eagle). All are well known for their abilities to catch fish.
Maanjidowin uses a canoe, a timeless symbol for travel, exploration and development to transport the mythical fishers to the shoreline of Port Credit.
Vision
The development of Maanjidowin is guided by three thoughts:
A journey for the mind that begins within a canoe;
Rekindling love of place based on mystical and supernatural past and the innate beauty of landscape; and
Sharing resources provided by the Creator
Maanjidowin and Port Credit
Maanjidowin is the Ojibwe word for “the gathering”. The history of Port Credit, its present day growth, vitality and prosperity prove again and again inclinations to also chose to gravitate to this beautiful estuary on the Lake Ontario shore. The history of Port Credit speaks proudly of the accomplishment of its prominent men and women. It can also speak proudly of its ties to a mythical and supernatural gift of the Creator.
Maanjidowin (Artwork and Legacy), Zaagidewin (Love), Gwekwaadeziwin (Honesty), Aakidehewin (Courage),
Mnaadendmowin (Respect), Dbaanendiziwin (Humility), Debwewin (Truth), Nbwaakaawin (Wisdom)
Life Flows into the Four Directions
Philip H. Cote
Recognizing as First Nations artists we have a unique story to tell and a rich experience to share, “Life Flows into the Four Directions” continues my explorations of history, territory and mythologies surrounding Anishnaabe Culture. With the goal of illuminating historical First Nations “writings” on how history and culture have been “carried forward”. My proposal, a highly engaging tactile sculpture will extend the cultural teachings regarding the Mississaugas.
These four heads is resting on a circular earth mound resemble a Medicine Wheel, a memory device & teaching tool used by First Nations peoples for over thousands of years to acknowledge the four elements. These elements Water, Air, Fire and Earth each symbolize the cycles of human existence. Without one of these elements there would be no Life. In each direction there is a colour, representing the Unity Circle and its fundamental teaching is we must all work together to make life happen.
The four heads also represent nations of this territory the Mississauga, Ojibway, Potawatomi and Odawa. The Mississaugas have always been part of the Three Fires Confederacy, a group of distinct nations, which banded together and formed the first government of this territory in 692 AD and protected the area we now know as Ontario. They were also trading partners.
This project speaks to the dignity of ancestors vision of our place in the world and at same time recognizes the unique relationship First Nations people have to Mother Earth.
The Current
Peter Sutherland
Turtle
Ludzer Vandermolen with Vince Graham
