A giant crow along the LeBreton Flats Road at the west end of Ottawa was the subject of social media talk, with reactions ranging from, ‘What is that?’ and “you paid someone to do it” to “I think that’s cool” and “definitely fun”.
The National Capital Commission unveiled new public artwork along the road on Tuesday, titled ‘When Rubber Meets the Road’ by PEI artist Gerald Beaulieu.
“Did you know there was once a dump in LeBreton Flats?” NCC said on Twitter. “Suitable for #LeBreton Building guiding principle promoting sustainability, this piece is made from recycled tires.”
The five-meter-long crow in the aisle is made entirely of recycled tires.
The sign next to the sculpture reads: “This large crow lies on the ground like a dead thing on the road, symbolizing the collision between the works of man and nature.
“The crow is made from old tyres, referring to the harm caused by our commuting culture as well as the crow’s role as an urban scavenger. The artwork invites us to reflect. about how we affect the environment and the organisms that inhabit our common spaces.”
In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, the NCC said a year’s rent of the work costs $14,022.
“Department of Heritage Canada helped facilitate the project by connecting the NCC with appropriate selections drawn from previous public art selection processes,” the statement said. “This artwork was submitted by the artist in 2018 as part of a review of existing artworks for temporary display at federally regulated locations in the Canadian Capitals region. “
Beaulieu told CTV News Ottawa that his creation is designed to start a conversation.
“Reactions always swing between those who are annoyed with it and those who absolutely love it, and that is the best an artist can hope for,” says Beaulieu.
The work ‘When the rubber meets the road’ uses 50 to 60 tires and it took Beaulieu a month to create the piece.
Beaulieu said the work is about “risks and rewards” in our interactions with nature.
“The idea behind it is just to address the environmental impact of our society, when it collides with nature,” Beaulieu said Wednesday afternoon.
According to Beaulieu’s website, the work has previously been shown in Art in the Open in Charlottetown and the Bonavista Biennale in Port Rexton, NL.
Social media posts by CTV News Ottawa and the National Capital Commission drew hundreds of comments about the artwork and the federal agency’s decision to display the work.
“The haters will hate,” one comment on the NCC’s Instagram page. “Good job NCC is clearly creating conversation around this piece.”
Another comment on Instagram said: “What an effective piece to show such a strong reaction from viewers”.
“It can be art, but it’s also distracting for drivers and cyclists,” said a comment on CTV News Ottawa’s Facebook page.
On Twitter, people questioned why NCC installed the artwork.
“This makes me sad. It’s a dead crow,” said one.
“How much should the government pay for these tires?” said another comment on Twitter. “Did it just fall in the field. I’m not an art connoisseur but what is it?”
One comment said: “April 1 was a few months ago.”
“Looks like a dead bird,” said the former Earl. Alex Cullen.
A comment on Twitter said they would need to check in person.
“It can have a stronger impact on people, like many other great works of art. Using recycled materials is a great artistic technique.”
Beaulieu says he photographed the crow on Tuesday at LeBreton Flats and witnessed people’s reaction to the art.
“They were curious, they were talking about photographs,” said Beaulieu. “For the most part, they’re quite curious and they’re quite amused by it.”
The NCC says the art will be on display until June 2024.
The work was loaned to the Andrew and Laura McCain Art Gallery in New Brunswick in 2022.
The gallery’s website says Beaulieu uses “familiar materials to test the boundaries between what’s natural and what’s man-made, useful or harmful.”
