Originally Published On:
July 18, 2017
Originally Published By:
Haliburton Echo
Wind Dervish
Written By:
Angus Sullivan
Work created by John McKinnon in 2017.
There have been a number of new additions to the Haliburton Sculpture Forest this summer. As part of the celebration of Canada, Ontario, and Dysart’s 150, four artists, from around the world and across the country, were invited to Haliburton to take part in the 2017 Sculpture Symposium. Each sculptor was charged with creating a new piece for the Sculpture Forest out of a large block of limestone based on the theme “Carved on the Canadian Shield.”
John McKinnon, one of four sculptors, created “Wind Dervish”. For John, trips across the Canadian Shield conjure up images of stone, wind, and timelessness. Over thousands of years, the stone that never seems to change is picked up, microscopic by microscopic layer and carried off by the wind. The wind, which shows itself in the things it moves and shapes, is an expression of time. John wanted this piece to think outside of time. Thousands of years have been compressed into a moment, and the layer of stone has risen up and is dancing like a Dervish in the wind.
All four sculptors began with the same stone and the same task, but each came up with a unique and creative vision for their sculptures. Come to the Grand Opening of “Carved on the Canadian Shield” on Tuesday, July 25th at 5:00 – 6:00 at the Sculpture Forest for a reception, dedication and audio presentations by the artists about the new sculptures. For a guided walk through Haliburton’s history along the Head Lake Trail to the Grand Opening, meet at 4:00 pm at the Rails End Gallery, 23 York Street, Haliburton. Return transportation will be provided.
The Haliburton Sculpture Forest is located in Glebe Park on 297 College Drive. It is open dawn to dusk with free guided tours in July and August on Tuesdays, 10:00 – 11:30 am, and on Wednesdays at 12:10 – 12:50pm. Meet at the information kiosk next to the parking lot at Fleming College. You can use the Sculpture Forest app (download PocketSights and search for Haliburton) or visit www.haliburtonsculptureforest.ca to learn more about the sculptures.