National Art Gallery, Ottawa, August (3)

As you might expect, the holdings of Inuit art at the National Art Gallery are beyond excellent. They are stuck in the basement of the building -- why?

The most amazing sculpture with carved caribou antlers

One of my favorite pieces -- the snowy owl

National Art Gallery, Ottawa, August (2)

At the National Art Gallery, I was particularly struck with was Jean-Paul Riopelle. An artist I had not previously encountered -- or if I did, I did not notice him. He was working in the post-WWII period in bold colors, spread with a palette knife. His work has an almost 3D effect. Just striking abstract representations of the Canadian landscape.

A massive triptych

Detail of the triptych

Detail of the triptych

A Riopelle selfie

A smaller piece

National Art Gallery, Ottawa, August (1)

We are in Ottawa  for nine days, primarily for the Chamber Music Festival. The National Art Gallery is a relatively new Moshe Sande building, with as might be expected, a very strong representation of Canadian art. I have long been a fan of the art of Tom Thompson and the Group of Seven,  who were working on the early 20th century. Whenever I go to the Royal Ontario Art Gallery, I make sure to see their extensive holdings.

I particularly love the landscapes of Lawren Harris, especially his later works. Just massive representations of the Northern Canadian winter. 

Lawren Harris

Lawren Harris

Lawren Harris

Tom Thompson

Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, Ottawa, August

Chamberfest is 15 days of intensive chamber music, broadly defined. We had not just traditional chamber music, but also traditional Persian songs with Nexus Percussion, Scandinavian folk tunes and Broadway standards as well as new music. Concerts can start at 10am and end at 11:30pm for Chamberfringe.

Over six days we attended 17 concerts! Highlights were;

• Canadian soprano Suzie LeBlanc with Constantinople
• Montreal Guitar Trio
• Danish String Quartet -- these young guys are just world class
• Night of tribute to Beethoven
• Israeli Chamber Project
• My Turquoise Gaze -- love those traditional Sufi songs of love

Montreal and California Guitar Trios at Dominon-Chalmers United Church

Danish String Quartet played a regular concert and then went on to play the Chamberfest fringe at 10pm. An hour of Scandinavian Folk Musi

My Turquoise Gaze at the Fringe

Performers at the Beethoven Concert. Final piece of the evening was Ode to Joy in piano transcription. At times, James Parker's fingers were flying so fast it was impossible to see them. Magic.

Audience at Dominion-Chalmers United Church

A Sunday morning concert at Beechwood, National Military Cemetery

Beechwood

Rideau Canal, Ottawa, August

We spent a few hours cycling the final 12km of the Rideau Canal (map). Developed by the British and designed by Colonel John By of the Royal Engineers from 1826. It is now a national park. More than 200km in length (!), the canal joins Ottawa and Kingston.

Our ride started at the Hartwells Lock with our turnaround point at the Ottawa Locks, at the National Art Centre. A very pleasant ride along the banks of the canal. 

Waiting in Lock £10 at Hartwell 

Lockkeeper's house

Emptying the lock

Original lock doors

Art along the way

Col. By Lake

Typical stretch of the canal with Ottawa in background

Entrance to Lock 8 with Wilfred Laurier Hotel in background

One of many beds of flowers along the pathh

Back at Hartwells

Two fantastic early 20thC houses along the canal

Two fantastic early 20thC houses along the canal

Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat, Ontario, August

We are not normally fans of zoos, but we stopped at the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat, in Cochrane, Ontario, as we headed towards Ottawa. The habitat was the idea of the city council some years ago, and exists to support (primarily) orphaned polar bears. The closest polar bears are in James Bay, north of Cochrane. There was one bear in residence, Ganuk. We were very lucky to see Ganuk playing with his "enrichment" toy next to the wire -- which was a plastic carton that earlier had had food tucked away inside. We were able to get very close. The bears have three large habitats and seem well cared for. So, an exception to the no-zoo policy!

Moonbeam nature trails, July

We stayed three days in Moonbeam, Ontario after a long trip through very remote Ontario from Geraldton. At one point, 150+ km between any form of civilization. The forests of Ontario must be really assisting with reducing the effects of climate change.

Moonbeam is a great name for a town! The townsfolk have developed the most fantastic network of nature trails. This is the best developed network we have seen in Canada and the people of Moonbeam are to be congratulated. We heard some feedback that the trails have not received the usage that they should, but notwithstanding the community should persevere and continue to maintain them. We cycled on a sealed (tarmac) path from Moonbeam to Rene Brunelle Provincial Park through the most beautiful boreal forest, past a couple of small lakes. There were some thunderstorms around but we managed to miss the worst of the rain. A highlight!