FLIGHT - Beaverton, Ontario - Figurative Public Sculpture on Waymarking.com

This is a metal (ferrous - I tested this with a magnet, so probably steel) sculpture located in a small park directly behind the Beaverton Public Library (which is also a waymark). The sculpture itself is mounted on a concrete base sculpted to look like paving stones and is surrounded by a 1 foot wide garden. Due to the season it was difficult to discern the types of plants adorning the garden but visitors arriving later in the season may be able to comment or provide photos of them in bloom.

The sculpture stands approximately 10 feet high and is composed of what I believe is representative of a flock of birds taking off or flying. If I am to interpret the piece simply by the name, then I would guess a flock of birds, while in "flight". It is most interesting that the artist has chosen not to affix the individual birds to anything but each adding to the appearance that they truly are taking flight.

The birds are painted blue and white which leads me to believe they are probably supposed to be some sort of local "sea" bird and with the proximity of Lake Simcoe i would surmise either terns or gulls. The colours would be the reflection of the blue water, or white clouds off the birds combined with their native colours of white and smoke grey.

I found the piece quite moving, it gives the viewer the illusion of movement while causing an uplifting experience at the same time.

The plaque describing the sculpture reads: "FLIGHT" by GERALD GLADSTONE This sculpture was commissioned as a millennium project with support of many individual citizens and businesses. Major Donors: Beaverton Beautification Committee and Lodwick Transport Ltd. Beaverton 2000 Committee October, 2000

There are lights on the ground surrounding the sculpture which I would assume are used to illuminate it at night, although no signage indicates hours of this occurrence. We were not around during anything but daylight hours, but I would imagine it is quite impressive when lit in the night as well.

Directly across the street is the Beaverton Police station (an office of the Durham Regional Police Service).

There is also a wooden gazebo located in the small park as well if you wish to sit in the shade and admire the sculpture.

Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: FLIGHT Figure Type: Animal Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Gerald Gladstone Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: October 2000 Materials used: Metal Location: Not listed

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Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   07/07/2009 Timo Explorer visited it 04/12/2009 DyverDown visited it

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