Three Centuries of Public Art: Volume II (HRM): New, Old and Forgotten | ISBN 978-1-895814-80-4

Three Centuries of Public Art: Vol. II (75 new stories/120 artifacts/200 photos)

9781895814804, Barbara DeLory. $27.50.  NEW June 2024 – 8.5 x 11 Colour. Volume I

Three Centuries of Public Art, Volume II (New, Old, and Forgotten) by Barbara DeLory

The original Three Centuries edition (2011) was applauded by artists, historians, and those in culture as original, accurate, and unrivaled. Since that time, many artifacts & memorials in rural areas have been discovered; while many new artworks were created in the cities and suburbs … then the pandemic arrived with Public Art, especially wall murals in several areas of Halifax virtually exploding in number and size (e.g., Quinpool Road, near Oxford St.; Barrington Street South, Agricola St., and a fantastic display of art in Mulgrave Park), as well as in the Alderney area of Dartmouth. Much of the latter occurred during and immediately after the pandemic One chapter is devoted to those works no longer visible or badly deteriorated. The 3D sculptures/monuments, art, and memorials in this edition range from the Eastern Shore, near the Guysborough border to the southern areas, including Tantallon and Sambro.  Subjects include the amazing hummingbird sculpture in Middle Musquodoboit, the Moose River memorial, plus cenotaphs in Sheet Harbour, Moser River, Head of Jeddore, and Porters Lake, as well as the suburban communities of Springvale (e.g., Penny Farthings); a 2D painting and monument in Spryfield; memorials in Lower Sackville, Waverley, Beaverbank-Kinsac; and Hammond’s Plains to Tantallon; Middlemore and Music Room history in Fairview/Rockingham … plus v the provincial parks on Grand Lake donated by the  Laurie family. Many other suburban communities (e.g., Bedford, Clayton Park, were well-represented in Volume One. This volume completes the story by adding 75 more stories; 70% more artworks in high colour, including 120 artifacts with up to 200  photographs. The formats are similar to Vol. One, but with fewer pages, and the same high-quality maps and walking tours that readers have come to expect.

Plus a few samples of 3D Art you’ll find  in Volume One,

This historic city and environs began its tradition of public art some three centuries ago. Observe the installation of the Town Clock and the Sebastopol Monument, the first out of necessity, the latter out of respect, although Mi’kmaq carvings from the Bedford Barrens are recreated symbolically in the Canoe on Lake Banook. Will the Ranter’s poem printed in the Morning Chronicle of July 25, 1860, echoes Rev. George Hill, rector of St.Paul’s Anglican Church’s speech at the unveiling of the Sebastopol Monument, one of the first memorials in all of Canada for the Crimean War … “The lion stands out boldly in his place, His sinewy limbs and muscle we can trace.” Listen as Lady Aberdeen reads a sonnet written for the unveiling of the Jubilee Fountain in the Gardens on June 24, 1897, after she couldn’t pull hard enough to unveil the fountain. Visualize the small bouquets given by the Commissioners of the Gardens to the ladies who attended the unveiling of the Boer War Fountain in 1903. See the audience, some likely in tears, as a guest describes the hardships of fighting in South Africa. Compare that with the trench warfare described by Hon. James Ralston at the unveiling of the Cenotaph in the Grand Parade, on July 1, 1929.

Witness the unveilings of Robbie Burns and Sir Walter Scott who finally had a coming together in 2010 after the bagpipes and “ Blue Bonnets Over the Border.” Feel the stress on the shoulders of the Cornwallis committee, 1931, to raise the funds, for the cursed even then, founder. Feel the tension as “hard-over” Harry DeWolf leads HMCS Haida into battle. Pay respect to Churchill, winner of the Battle of the Atlantic and World War 11. Puff out your chest at the provincial government memorial, the Dingle Tower; place your finger on some of the names of those who sacrificed for us in the Cross of Sacrifice.

Construction noises usher in the rebuilding of Halifax’s downtown redevelopment of its waterfront. Watch “Mad Dog” cut, sculpt, and finish Humagination with his requiem “Bless the Cop.” Put your fingers on St. Elmo, patron saint of fisherman, in DeGarth’s 1980s monumental work in Peggy’s Cove. Witness the Bird of Spring’s flight: north, then west, then east A stony old bird, preening herself in Ondaatje Square alone, until Origins moved in on June 16, 1995.

Celebrate within the Peace Pavilion as Douglas Hurd, British Secretary of State signs the guest book at the opening of this sculpture on June 16, 1995. Discover the origin of the images on the Canoe built to celebrate the International Federation Canoe Sprint World Championship, August 12, 2009. Hear the cadets’ feet marching together to the new Cenotaph in North Preston in 2011.

Trace the coming of our immigrants in the Celtic Cross, Dutch and Korean Cenotaphs, Vytaiemo, the Winged Lion, and Pier 21, Canada’s historic Immigration Museum. Think hard about the Wheel of Conscience Memorial, June 20, 2011, now within this museum. Reacquaint yourself with the Atlantic, Tribune, Titanic, Halifax Explosion, and the Swiss Air disasters. Celebrate the Navy’s 100th anniversary with their new pieces of public art.

Smile at the industrial engineering students’ attempt to make us stop and stare and cry at the art students and their leaders’ memorial to the Fallen Peace Officers. Admire with the students, the “old” but venerable Toby guarding the Convent of the Sacred Heart.

Make your own journey of discovery with Three Centuries of Public Art.  If you will listen, the sculptures are speaking to you!