Every summer, Remic Rapids Park is the setting for a remarkable display of balanced rock sculptures on the shore of the Ottawa River. The park is just a few kilometres from the city centre and offers expansive and relaxing views of the river, the rapids and the urban landscape in the distance.
The temporary public art display is the work of an exceptional artist named John Felice Ceprano, who has created his rock sculptures on this site since 1986, using the wide variety of rocks available in the river. What started as a project has become a regular fixture and people from Ottawa and far beyond return to Remic Rapids every summer to see and enjoy another original display of balanced rock sculptures.
For residents of Ottawa, he is a local treasure although many may not know his name or his story. Mr. Ceprano was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He first came to Ottawa as a student on an art scholarship program and fell in love with the city. He has been a resident of Ottawa since 1973.
His contribution to the cultural life of the city is well recognized and his work has been supported financially by the National Capital Commission since 2000. The whole installation is dismantled when winter arrives. This is why, year after year, the sculptures are different.
It is a real privilege to see him create a balanced rock sculpture. Standing in the water, he doesn’t use any tools or adhesives, just his bare hands. He is a good judge of a rock; it seems that he can intuitively sense its potential. He displays remarkable patience and concentration.
His work is hard, especially when manipulating large stones. He meticulously inserts minuscule stone wedges to hold the rocks in an upright position. Then, he will stand back to examine his work as it progresses. Most of the sculptures appear to defy the laws of gravity.
His collection of rock sculptures does not come with a description. Mr. Ceprano invites us to use our imagination as he challenges us to find the message he is conveying through his creations.
We went to Remic Rapids twice this year to try to see him at work. Unfortunately, he wasn’t where we had seen him so many times before, in the river searching for the perfect rock, manipulating a heavy boulder, or putting the finishing touch to a sculpture. But without fail, Mr. Ceprano’s rock sculptures were waiting for us along the river edge.
With this post, we want to express our thanks to Mr. Ceprano for his continued contribution to our summer enjoyment of the Ottawa River. Below is a short video showcasing his balanced rock sculptures, including a clip of him at work taken some years ago.
This is so cool. We’ll have to go see this next time we’re in Ottawa.
So I understand this year is quite a personal anniversary for Mr. Ceprano who arrived in 1973! Happy anniversary to him and thank you J&L for the photos and the info!