Mother Earth, one of the largest and most inventive mosaic sculptures, has become the symbol of Mosaïcultures internationales and is presented in each of its international shows. All but one of the others are entirely new.
I was able to visit MosaiCanada 150 in Gatineau, Quebec, last week and it was spectacular! Mosaïcultures Internationales de Montréal, which has presented similar exhibitions all over the world since 2000, has really mastered the fundamentals of 3-D gardening and the quality of this year’s presentations is truly exceptional.
What Is Mosaiculture?
Giving a living sculpture a bit of a hair cut.
Mosaiculture is a horticultural art that involves creating and mounting living artworks made primarily from plants with colorful foliage. You’ll sometimes see two dimensional mosaics (carpet bedding) in front of prestigious buildings with the company’s name written in live plants, but the specialty of MosaiCanada 150 is three-dimensional mosaics, as seen in Gatineau, in which the displays are living sculptures. Each sculpture, filled with soil and wrapped in landscape cloth, is covered with thousands of small plants that are subsequently watered, pruned and pampered to maintain the desired multicolor effect throughout the summer.
The visit begins with a train station … and yes, those are plants you see on its walls, roof and even chimney! This display is called “A Ticket to Canada” and invites you to visit further.All Aboard is the name of this display, a train and its wagons all made of living plants inviting you to visit Canada.You’re in Canada, so you should expect to see a Mountie!Each of Canada’s provinces and territories has its own mosaic. This one, called The Lobster Fisherman, represents Nova Scotia.Quebec is represented by Three Ships from France.Manitoba is famous for its polar bears, so…A reminder of the Klondike for Yukon Territory.These muskoxen, representing the Northwest Territories, almost seem alive… Well, actually they are, but with plants!MosaïCanada 150 is a less international exposition than previous ones held in Canada. Only China is present, wishing Canada luck, here with Blessing of the Good Omen Dragons, offered by Beijing.Shanghai too celebrates Canada’s anniversary with Joyful Celebration of the Nine Lions.Another part of the Joyful Celebration of the Nine Lions.The Voyageur, in his canoe, represents Canada’s long association with fur trading.You’re in Canada, so you have to expect hockey! This one is called The Winning Goal.A few horses on the loose in the Mother Earth display. Yes, the manes and tails, not to mention the fur, are made up of live plants!
The Important Details
MosaïCanada 150 is part of the celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017. The exhibition takes place in Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau, Quebec, just across the Ottawa River from Canada’s capital: Ottawa, Ontario. Admission is free and the exhibition is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm from June 30 to October 15, 2017.
If you play to travel to Ottawa/Gatineau, it’s within driving distance of most Eastern Canadian and Northeastern US cities. There is train and bus service while the Ottawa Airport offers direct flights to and from many Canadian and American cities.
Remember, you have until October 15 to see the show. It won’t be back again next year!
Have you ever wondered what happens to mosaic displays after a mosaiculture exhibition show is over?
Three-dimensional mosaics are generally designed as temporary presentations, but can be maintained and replanted for many years.
In this case, those that represent Canada’s nine provinces and three territories will be given to the host province/territory where they’ll be maintained and placed on public view.
The structures of some sculptures will be stored for future shows. (Mosaïcultures Internationales de Montréal is keeping mum about future plans.) Other sculptures will simply be destroyed.
All the more reasons to get to Gatineau before October 15!
NB. All the photos in this presentation are the property of laidbackgardener.wordpress.com… but you’re free to share them as you see fit!
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