The "17bc rockatree"
public art project began on June 30th 1996 under a rare
blue moon.
The location was chosen by a large white granite boulder which had rolled from the daffodil field above
and came to rest on a rock bluff beside the Pat Bay Highway, (17BC) between Victoria and Sidney, British Columbia.
photo: Jovian Wiefelspuett
I'd been noticing that boulder for months and became convinced it would make an ideal foundation rock.
The site can be viewed from both directions, while pedestrian access is difficult. Tumbling rocks roll
into the drainage ditch about 5 meters below where some can be retrieved.
Fellow rockatier, Glen McConnell agreed to assist
although neither of us knew if we could work in such a challenging location.
The first time we set foot on the site, the noise of the cars and the blast of wind from semi's cruising
by at 100K was so intense it was difficult concentrating on the job at hand. As soon as we got to it, choosing rocks and
carrying them down from the edge of the field, the distractions diminished and the balancing went well.
christmas rockatree
The location was chosen by a large white granite boulder which had rolled from the daffodil field above
and came to rest on a rock bluff beside the Pat Bay Highway, (17BC) between Victoria and Sidney, British Columbia.
photo: Jovian Wiefelspuett
I'd been noticing that boulder for months and became convinced it would make an ideal foundation rock.
The site can be viewed from both directions, while pedestrian access is difficult. Tumbling rocks roll
into the drainage ditch about 5 meters below where some can be retrieved.
Fellow rockatier, Glen McConnell agreed to assist
although neither of us knew if we could work in such a challenging location.
The first time we set foot on the site, the noise of the cars and the blast of wind from semi's cruising
by at 100K was so intense it was difficult concentrating on the job at hand. As soon as we got to it, choosing rocks and
carrying them down from the edge of the field, the distractions diminished and the balancing went well.
christmas rockatree
" highway
rockatree"
10 years on the edge of 17 BC
click on thumbnails then hit your back button
more 17bc pix
~
take instant directions while each is struggling with three or four moving rocks at once. Hands, knees, elbows and feet,
every limb is involved. It appears to be a foolish thing to attempt, the rocks will never set even if the whole day is spent,
yet suddenly they do and so smartly the world seems to pause along with them for a moment or two.
