Video - The War of 1812 Monument, Triumph Through Diversity (artist version) – Decoding ART
Transcript of The War of 1812 Monument, Triumph Through Diversity (artist version)
Narrator: “This capsule is presented by Canadian Heritage”
[Canadian Heritage signature]
[The sculptor Adrienne Alison in front of the bronze monument]
Adrienne Alison: “Hi. My name is Adrienne Alison and I am the sculptor of this monument, named Triumph Through Diversity.”
[Different shots of the monument]
Adrienne Alison: “The monument you are looking at is a tribute to the War of 1812 …a nation-building moment in our Canadian history.
“I invite you to walk around the sculpture to explore the seven bronze figures posed in different stages of battle. They stand on a central base, or plinth, with a boat on either side. These symbolize the two arenas on which the war was fought, ...”
[The painting of a battlefield during the 1812 war]
Adrienne Alison:“… land and water.”
[The painting of British and American ships during the 1812 war]
Adrienne Alison: “The story of Triumph Through Diversity begins with the Mohawk warrior, crouching strategically, pointing out the advancing enemy.”
[Different shots of the monument]
Adrienne Alison: “Next to him, the Royal Navy sailor hauls in his boat, which helps transport men and supplies to where they’re needed most.
“Beside him stands a member of the French-Canadian militia, from the Voltigeurs Regiment. He grips his weapon, determined to advance, while the nurse bandages his injured wrist.
“The Métis fighter prepares to fire the cannon on the boat, while the British Regular, a soldier known for outstanding skill, stands in disciplined formation.
“Viewed in the round, the figures create a spiral wave that creates its crescendo with the Canadian militiaman, who expresses triumph by raising his arm in a victory salute.”
[A woman and a soldier wearing vintage clothing]
Adrienne Alison: “I looked a long time to find the right models to represent the cultures and groups that were involved in defending our territory during the War of 1812.”
[Adrienne Alison in her workshop working on the warrior figure from a live model wearing vintage clothing]
Adrienne Alison: “Then I made the sculpture with figures that were only seven inches high.”
[The maquette of the sculpture]
Adrienne Alison: “This is called the maquette.
“Next, I made figures that were two feet high that could be modified to reflect any necessary changes before the final seven-foot figures were created.”
[The two feet tall figures, the seven feet figures and the sculptor at work]
Adrienne Alison: “The seven-foot figures were made of foam. Clay was then applied and sculpted with special tools. You can see some of the rake marks from the sculpting tools used on the figures.”
[Some rubber molds and pieces of the sculpture]
Adrienne Alison: “To cast each of the seven-foot figures in bronze, a rubber mould was made of the sculpture. The mould for each figure was made in as many as eight pieces. The bronze foundry used a technique called lost wax casting to make the final bronze sculpture. Then the colour or patina was applied to it.”
[The monument]
Adrienne Alison: “Before you go, stand back and look at the silhouette of Triumph Through Diversity.”
[The painting of a battlefield during the 1812 war]
Adrienne Alison: “The War of 1812 was the last war to take place on Canadian soil, bringing together diverse peoples in a common effort— …”
[A painting of a British Commandant shaking hands with the Chief of the native allies]
Adrienne Alison: “… an effort that led to Canada becoming a unified nation.”
[The monument]
Adrienne Alison: “This monument depicts the people who defended Canada, allowing it to become the country it is today.
“This is the true meaning of triumph through diversity.”
[Canada wordmark]
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