Spirit Catcher, Barrie, Ontario
Inspired by the First Nation myth of the Thunderbird -- who carries desires and dreams to the Creator -- sculptor Ron Baird created the Spirit Catcher for Expo '86 held in Vancouver.
16 kinetic quills rock in the wind
In 1987 the 21-metre (65-feet) tall, 20-tonne non-corrosive-steel sculpture was transported to Barrie on two flatbed trucks. It now stands on Kempenfelt Bay's waterfront on Lake Simcoe.
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I think it's absolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteIt has a certain charm, but does it work?
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day, Boonie
I cant´make up my mind, if I like it or not...
ReplyDeleteBut I can understand it´s an experience to see it in real life!
What a great image; so symbolic and so beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteA great view of the sculpture.
ReplyDeleteThere's another Ron Baird sculpture here in Stouffville.
Pretty cool sculpture. I really like it.
ReplyDeleteBTW: Thanks for the nice comment onmy blog. MB
This is a beautiful sculpture. I really like the way it evokes the image of the thunderbird.
ReplyDeleteMakes me think of a "dream catcher" a friend made for me years ago.
ReplyDelete"NUTUM" is located outside the Latcham Gallery (the old Library building) in Stouffville. I find it fascinating, it's HUGE and balances on a high stand and sways with the wind. I expect it to come crashing down at any minute but it never does.
ReplyDeleteI heard that another Baird piece "ANGEL" was supposed to be installed in 2010 in Stouffville as part of the Sculpture Walk by the creek. Hasn't arrived yet!
I went to Ron Baird's house as part of the Uxbridge Artist Studio Tour a couple of years ago.... fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI love the spirit catcher. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous sculpture! I do love the Spirit Catcher and your photos are superb as always! Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
a mighty sculpture, very nice
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! Super sculpture.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful piece of work and its name is very intriguing!
ReplyDeleteGod bless you!
Cezar
There is something very rugged and masculine about this sculpture, and yet Spirit Catcher evokes the gentle, more feminine to me... [EG, did you mean to link with MyWorld instead of Watery Wednesday? :-) ]
ReplyDeleteLiterally awesome!
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing sculpture- would be nice to have that around here to view.
ReplyDeleteWonderful. And I didn't see it at Expo 86, even though I was still living in the Vancouver suburbs at the time. Everyone I knew had gone, and reported huge crowds and long line-ups. So I held onto my Season Pass and waited for the crowds to thin.
ReplyDeleteThey never did.
Thanks for these beautiful photos to show me yet another experience I missed in '86.
-- K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Great piece of art isn't it? Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River.
ReplyDeleteI was at Expo ’86 and had a wonderful time. I don’t recall the Spirit Catcher but I absolutely love the concept and the pure lines of what looks like outstretched wings. Thank you for bringing back all those good memories.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful sculpture. i like the story behind it too.
ReplyDeletehappy new year.
You said that the quills rock in the wind. I would love to see that live. Great photo.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this! And the first shot, in particular, is very powerful - I think it's the person walking that gives a sense of scale.
ReplyDeleteThanks for Googling "Morse Guns." I had no idea. I thought it was just another of The Villages pretenses of being old...well, I guess it is, but still has some meaning.
that's a huge structure, impressive
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year
I love it. I wonder how many people don't. Public art can't always please everyone, I guess. To my eye, I love its symetry and lines, especially against the blue sky.
ReplyDeleteThis is amodern and still a very impressive sculpture which reminds me of an ancient weapon from far before the dark ages.
ReplyDeleteGreat and happy 2011!
That's a very interesting, and large, sculpture. I think I'd need to see it in real life to get the full impact.
ReplyDeleteWhat a magnificent sculpture!
ReplyDeleteThat is incredible. Amazing. Inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI like it, both as art and for its symbolism. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteAwesome captures!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year. Cheers.
Regards.
This is by far one of my new favorite sculptures. That really is amazing.
ReplyDeleteA very unusual, huge, impressive piece of metal artwork!
ReplyDeletewhat an awesome sculpture! i like it.
ReplyDeleteCool photo. You captured the great sculpture, though I am afraid of sharp and cannot imagine passing under it:) Are these knives fixed firmly???
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing and commenting on my entry!
Yoshi
Beautiful My World Tuesday posting
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year and have a nice week,
Greetings, Bram
Link to My Word Tuesday post!
Seen on My World Tuesday
For some reason this reminds me of Matrix Revolutions. Do you know which scene I am referring to?
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning sculpture - reminds me of a great eagle about to take off.
ReplyDeleteImpressive sculpture and such an interesting story == actually, two stories -- the myth it represents AND its history and the way it was moved.
ReplyDeletethat's a stunning sculpture
ReplyDeleteThe legend, the idea, the art -- it's all fabulous!
ReplyDelete