The Monument
The designers addressed the task of commemorating Canadian peacekeeping activities through auditory as well as visual techniques. The central element of the monument is a large, perforated copper map of the world mounted in a shining screen of glass. The locations of all peacekeeping missions in which Canada has taken part are shown as points of light on the map; ongoing missions are shown by blinking lights. The ideal is to keep the map current by adding more and more lights as the years go by. Thus, the map will remain a timeless record of specific events. A wall with five gates forms the boundary of the ceremonial area with Sussex Drive, and on the inner side of the wall are commemorative plaques recording every mission. In seating alcoves near each gate, proximity-activated recordings project the voices of peacekeeping soldiers, in French and English, each telling a personal story. These recordings can also be reviewed and updated over time.
The Setting
The idea is to redefine the space at the intersection of Sussex Drive and St. Patrick Street, to make it more intimate and to bring it into proportion with the surrounding buildings by containing it on one side with a long wall. This will give continuous definition to the ragged "town" edge of the site and simplify the visual context of the space by hiding all but major buildings such as the Basilica and the National Art gallery; at the same time, Major's hill monument will be positioned to mark the node as a strong, picturesque axis in a way that is typical of urban design in the Capital.
(From official publication)
2 scanned / 2 viewable
- Photograph of Model
- Photograph of Model
