PORTFOLIO: Seize the Space

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When I first visited the Samuel de Champlain monument in 1992 I never imagined that one day, the kneeling Indian at the base of the monument would be removed. But in 1999 that day came and to my surprise I found the empty platform inspired a new series of work. I invited artist Greg Hill to come to the site and bring his canoe made from cereal boxes and pose on the empty platform. This was the beginning of Seize the Space. The story about the Indian Scout was interesting, in that he was an afterthought and added to the monument in 1916. He was kneeling because he was supposed to be place in a canoe. Funds to complete the addition never materialized and to compensate, a bow was placed in his hand.