Barca Volante - Toronto, ON
Posted by: 
ras258
N 43° 38.399 W 079° 23.478
17T E 629754 N 4833144
Barca volante flies over a rectangular lake just west and south of Rogers Centre.
Waymark Code: WMCMBZ
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 09/20/2011
Views: 7
Barca Volate (boat flying) is a 20-metre tall, black steel sculpture in a perfect setting. It towers over the building it is in front of but it still has a look of lightness as it is full of open spaces. There are two sets of curved supports, which rise above the boat at the mid-point of the sculpture, that look like sails. The boat is angled upwards as if it is riding a wave or taking off for a flight across the sky.
The creator of this sculpture is Francisco Gazitua, who lives and works in Chile. This sculpture is located a short distance north of the lake in Toronto and there is a nautical feel to its setting as it flies over a beautiful stone-bottom, rectangular lake of its own. The surface of the crystal clear water in this lake/fountain can go from absolute calm to rippled in seconds, depending on the winds.
The plaque for this piece is quite worn - it reads:
"Francisco Gazitua Barca Volante 2003-2005
Suspended in flight, this "flying canoe" draws its origin from the story of two ships overturned by the wind in Lake Ontario in 1813. It draws on traditional canoe construction and subtly refers to the role of the canoe in shaping Canada.
Artist Assistant: Alfredo Fernandez
Public Art Team: Alan Vihant, Gabriel Leung, Tibor Koka, Ted Merrick, David Scott, Karen Mills
CONCORD Art Program"
Depending on the speed of your computer connection you might want to watch videos of the artist talking about the creation of Barca Volante and its final installation in Toronto. (
visit link)