He’s a bit comical, undeniably patriotic, and could be a permanent town resident, should we want him.
The unnamed he in question is an aluminum moose relaxing in a Muskoka chair beneath an umbrella of maple leaves. He was created by local resident Dan Gudmundson, who would like to gift it to the town as part of its Canada 150 celebrations, either temporarily or permanently.
“Last fall on the news, I heard a call from the federal government for citizens to express their love of Canada (for Canada 150)…this is my attempt to do that,” Gudmundson told Huntsville’s General Committee on May 24. “I want to try to give back and promote our Canadian spirit. I’ve had the opportunity to live all over the world and in that process I’ve really seen how special Canada is and how special this region is. This is my celebration of it.”
The project tells a story about Canada, said Gudmundson. The umbrella has 13 red maple leafs, representing each of Canada’s provinces and territories, and the remaining leaves in their fall colours represent Muskoka, Algonquin Park, and Ontario. The moose is a Canadian icon. “He’s a bit comical, deliberately that way, because I think this region has so much life to it and we should celebrate that.” And the empty Muskoka chair next to him invites visitors sit and have their picture taken with him. It is built primarily of aluminum with a steel skeleton for support and safety features in place to protect people from the pointy edges of the umbrella.
The Town’s art policy permits acceptance of donated works on a permanent or temporary basis, said Kari Lambe, the Town’s Director of Community Services. “It has to come with no conditions attached – once it is ours, it’s ours – however a maintenance must be provided and at no cost to town.”
Despite many councillors saying that they liked the piece, they were reluctant to accept it on a permanent basis, citing the backlash they received over the Pipe Man sculpture in the Muskoka River.
Councillor Nancy Alcock lamented the lack of a committee to act as jury for donated artwork, and suggested it should be something the town considers for the future, adding that she would support Gudmundson’s moose being accepted on a temporary basis.
Dan Gudmundson
“If you want to take it long term, that’s fine with me,” Gudmundson told councillors. “If you just want to have it for the summer, I’d be happy to take it back.”
The Town’s Director of Operations and Protective Services, Steve Hernen, said that Gudmundson’s suggested location of Riverside Park – on the east side of the swing bridge – is one of the worst locations in town for vandalism and suggested another location would be a better option. Councillor Dan Armour suggested River Mill Park.
Committee voted unanimously to accept the piece on a temporary basis, and Hernen said he will bring a report back to the regular council meeting in June with staff suggestions for a suitable location.
If the resolution to accept the art is ratified by council in June, Gudmundson would like to install it the evening of June 30 so that it’s in place for Canada Day celebrations.
Don’t miss out on Doppler! Sign up for our free, twice-weekly newsletter here.
I applaud council for encouraging public input into art installations in Huntsville after the furor of Pipe Man in the river. As a lover of art in all its shapes and forms, it is good to see artists interested in adding to the aesthetic beauty of our town. I remain however, a proponent of less is more and, with Brenda Wainman-Goulet’s brilliant bronze scupture of Tom Thomson in the town centre and the various Tom Thomson paintings adorning Main Street businesses, I think we have already enough. Not to denigrate the kind offer of the artist, I am unsure as to where this piece would be installed temporarily. Thanks for asking for my input.
Here we go again.