As the times shift, so does our want for increased conveniences. Now we rely heavily on the use of disposable containers for our food and drinks. Containers that are often left behind once their contents have been consumed. The Ghost Canoe is meant to challenge participants to consider popular notions related to the attainment of “Renewal” that sometimes fail to consider the cost to others, and ultimately, our future selves.
The Ghost Canoe borrows the image of the iconic Canadian Red Canoe that figures prominently in artwork linked to nature, water and renewal as we use tranquil waters to promote inner renewals and rejuvenations. This particular Red Canoe is made from disposable plastic drink and food containers left along the shoreline of Lake Ontario from The Rouge River to Etobicoke Creek. Its support framework is made from our discarded buildings and infrastructure pieces.
The canoe is illuminated in a red simmering glow through its body of clear plastic drink and food containers. As visitors near, a sensor activates blue lights at the front and rear “seat areas” of the canoe to mix with the red lighting of the canoe.
Artists
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Jungle Ling
Jungle Ling is a Canadian artist based in Toronto Ontario. He was born in Taiwan of minority Hakka heritage and lived in Niagara Falls, Ontario from the mid 70's through the early 80's following his family's migration to Canada in 1976. After a brief career as a Structural Steel Fitter in the Hamilton area, he enrolled into Brock University as a mature student. One day, following the advice of a fellow student, the decision was made to move to Toronto to attend George Brown College and York University to focus on a counselling career. Although he had excelled in the arts throughout his public-school years, it was his role as a counsellor and art program facilitator at a First Nations' Recovery Lodge in Toronto in the late 80's that generated the spark to pursue his love of art again. Jungle's public mural work began in 1999, and 2003 saw his first public sculpture installation. His artwork (paintings, public sculptures, and murals) mirrors his values, life experiences and the connections made with the everyday people, minorities and the marginalized. His public sculpture works have an additional element in reflecting our common practices related to material consumption and waste in our pursuit of convenience and style.
