Using art to measure a flood: P.E.I. artist installs new work
Kevin Yarr | CBC News | Posted: May 13, 2016 11:15 AM | Last Updated: May 13, 2016
Gerald Beaulieu's work will serve both as public art and a measuring stick
A P.E.I. artist is finishing up a big piece of public art for the City of Fredericton to depict historic flood levels in the New Brunswick capital.
Gerald Beaulieu's piece is called Watermark. It's a series of 11 wooden poles, all in different heights, ranging up to a height of three metres.
Each of the poles is covered in copper sheets that will be coloured in blues and greens. Glass-like inserts also give the impression of a wave breaking through the poles.
"Essentially they wanted a measuring stick," said Beaulieu.
"Instead of just doing one that would mark it, like a big tape measure, or a big ruler, I've got 11 poles in total and they're each at different heights, so it creates a bit of a landscape piece."
Measuring at a distance
They will be placed together along on the banks of the Saint John River, close to city hall.
Beaulieu said during a flood the work can be read from a distance as the shorter poles, or pilings, will disappear below the surface of the water.
He is taking the installation to Fredericton on May 23, and it will be unveiled on May 28.
- MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Why P.E.I is introducing the national building code
- MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Survivor of childhood sexual abuse now helping others on P.E.I.