Site 9: Crossing Paths with Infrastructure
Under the Hunter Street Bridge on the east bank of the Otonabee River
Outdoor installation of 2 painted murals through Artspace and City of Peterborough partnership.
A large colourful mural on the underside of an arch depicting a blue-black background, scalloped leaves in multiple shades of green, white flowers with yellow centres, brown fibres and orange tuborous roots. Underneath the mural stands Peg Town walking towards an arched opening that leads to black steel benches and picnic tables. Beyond the outdoor furniture is another mural of various colours, shapes, and patterns, with the bottom edge of the letters visible.
Scroll down to read a story about the site written by Peg Town in the summer of 2024.
One of my favourite things to do is ride my bicycle around Peterborough via its incredible trail system which is, in my opinion, as important a part of the City’s infrastructure as potable water, public buildings, electricity, etc. As I pedal along at a leisurely pace, many things catch my eye, like the beauty of the Hunter Street bridge that spans the Otonabee River.
Occasionally I ride to this place under the arches of the Hunter Street bridge for a break in its shade and to take in its two painted murals: Electric city / Nogojiwanong, by Kirsten McCrea in 2015, and Bloodroot, by Jill Stanton in 2016.
I remember crossing paths with the public reception held here for the first of these murals in 2015. Representatives from Artspace and with the City were among the group of people celebrating on that day. Artspace Director of Artspace, Jon Lockyer said a few words while the people mingled and craned their necks to admire the beautiful images that surrounded them.
These are two of several murals to be found on/ throughout the City’s infrastructure. Historically, Artspace has been involved with several art installations in outdoor spaces. In addition, various private establishments have procured the services of artists to brighten up the drab exteriors of buildings.
One of the things I appreciate about outdoor art in public spaces, is the context in which it can be viewed. Looking out from these arches, I see the Quaker Oats tower that resembles a white rocket ship, as iconic as the Hunter Street bridge. A merge between natural and built infrastructure can been seen: the river bank, tall trees, lots of green grass, tennis courts, the Pepsi-Co building, parking lots, picnic tables and benches, a fenced yard for maintenance equipment, a playground, a basketball court, 2 baseball diamonds, and the Lions Community Centre.
I try to imagine the sounds of the Lions Centre’s now-absent outdoor public swimming pool, or what would have been audible further back in the story of this place when there was a public beach at the river by this bridge.
This summer I sat here amid the acoustics at this site and listened to the sounds: the traffic on the bridge above, the engines, horns, bells, and beeps, the hum of the factory, the intonation of nearby conversations, a baseball game and cheers from the bleachers, the squeaky chains on the swing set, song sparrows, chickadees, goldfinches, crows, a bumblebee in the flower garden, and not far away, the Otonabee/Odenabe River “that beats like a heart”.
Reflective Question
As you pause under this bridge, what can you hear? How does it shape how you view the art that surrounds you?
Site 1: Crossing Paths with History
Site 2: Crossing Paths with Performance
Site 3: Crossing Paths with Community
Site 4: Crossing Paths with Nogojiwanong
Site 5: Crossing Paths with Gardeners
Site 6: Crossing Paths with Collaboration
Site 7: Crossing Paths with Diversity
Site 8: Crossing Paths with Climate Change
Site 9: Crossing Paths with Infrastructure
Site 10: Crossing Paths with Today and Tomorrow
