People sculpture from Expo 67 finds new life at Canadian Museum of Civilization
Gatineau, Quebec, October 5, 2005 — For the first time since Expo 67, eleven sculptural forms are appearing today in a major public setting, the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Like spirits from decades past, the forms, ranging in height from one to four metres, compose a sculpture by celebrated Canadian artist Louis Archambault, entitled People.
The work was commissioned for the Canada Pavilion at Expo 67 where it was prominently displayed in the sculpture court. After the world’s fair in Montreal, the sculptures were installed in Ottawa’s east end at 440 Coventry Road, outside the former Exposition Commission. The work was protected but remained largely unnoticed until earlier this year when Museum curator Alan Elder brought it to the attention of Museum and government officials.
“I remember these sculptures from Expo 67”, said Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. “People would walk among them, comparing themselves in form and size, and a physical relationship was created. It was similar to what I think is the conversation that takes place with visitors to the Museum of Civilization as they relate to the artifacts, the stories and the architecture that they encounter here.”
Alan Elder, Curator of Canadian Crafts, Decorative Arts and Design is delighted that People has found new life at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. “This work embodies the optimism of Canada in the 1960s, and in its playful way of engaging people in looking at how they relate to the world around them, I expect that visitors today will find People relevant and enjoyable,” Elder commented.
Elder had been researching Canadian design and craft of the 1960s for the current CMC exhibition Cool ‘60s Design. He and Museum officials facilitated the transfer of the work from the Department of Public Works to the Canada Council Art Bank. The Art Bank has restored the sculptures to their original colour and the Canadian Museum of Civilization is installing them for long-term display on its riverside lawn, across from Parliament Hill. The work’s new lease on life is the result of a close partnership between the Museum and the Art Bank, with the cooperation of the Department of Public Works.
“People is a significant work in the history of Canadian art,” stated Victoria Henry, Director of the Canada Council Art Bank. “Louis Archambault played an important role in bringing a modern aesthetic to the visual arts in Canada and this work captures the innovative environment of Expo 67.”
Archambault’s People is on display at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in conjunction with the exhibition Cool ‘60s Design, which has had a tremendous reception from visitors. It runs until November 27, 2005.
Media Information:
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7167
Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7169
Fax: (819) 776-7187
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