Vlastula
The Secret Bench of Knowledge
A sculpture with long history by Czech-born Canadian sculptor Lea Vivot.
On May 1, 1994, more than 300 people braved the cold and rain to attend the unveiling of the sculpture, The Secret Bench of Knowledge, in front of the National Library of Canada building in Ottawa. The presence of such a large crowd in spite of the gloomy weather was hardly surprising. The story of this bench had taken five years to unfold. More...
Entries were solicited from school children and writers across Canada for the new casting. Engraved on the bench are approximately one hundred messages about the pleasure and importance of reading chosen from the entries received. Those who were selected were sent a wax mold on which to inscribe their message for the bench. The molds were then returned and used in the new casting. The result was The Secret Bench of Knowledge.
The unveiling ceremony, while simple, was nonetheless moving. After the customary speeches, Lea Vivot, accompanied by National Librarian Marianne Scott, and Gabriel McBride, a boy from Spruce View, Alberta, whose message is inscribed in braille on The Secret Bench, removed the cloth covering the sculpture. The crowd watched, silent and attentive. Lea Vivot then took Gabriel's hand, and he traced and explored the outlines of the sculpture. Everyone wanted to capture this magic moment; people moved closer to take photographs, while television cameras recorded the occasion. Many others, who had provided messages for the sculpture, were present and expressed both pride and delight when they located their message on The Secret Bench.
The sculpture has become one of Ottawa's most popular photographic subjects. Every day, cars stop in front of the Library and Archives of Canada and passengers climb out eagerly to have their pictures taken on this already-famous bench.
The Secret Bench of Knowledge
A sculpture with long history by Czech-born Canadian sculptor Lea Vivot.
On May 1, 1994, more than 300 people braved the cold and rain to attend the unveiling of the sculpture, The Secret Bench of Knowledge, in front of the National Library of Canada building in Ottawa. The presence of such a large crowd in spite of the gloomy weather was hardly surprising. The story of this bench had taken five years to unfold. More...
Entries were solicited from school children and writers across Canada for the new casting. Engraved on the bench are approximately one hundred messages about the pleasure and importance of reading chosen from the entries received. Those who were selected were sent a wax mold on which to inscribe their message for the bench. The molds were then returned and used in the new casting. The result was The Secret Bench of Knowledge.
The unveiling ceremony, while simple, was nonetheless moving. After the customary speeches, Lea Vivot, accompanied by National Librarian Marianne Scott, and Gabriel McBride, a boy from Spruce View, Alberta, whose message is inscribed in braille on The Secret Bench, removed the cloth covering the sculpture. The crowd watched, silent and attentive. Lea Vivot then took Gabriel's hand, and he traced and explored the outlines of the sculpture. Everyone wanted to capture this magic moment; people moved closer to take photographs, while television cameras recorded the occasion. Many others, who had provided messages for the sculpture, were present and expressed both pride and delight when they located their message on The Secret Bench.
The sculpture has become one of Ottawa's most popular photographic subjects. Every day, cars stop in front of the Library and Archives of Canada and passengers climb out eagerly to have their pictures taken on this already-famous bench.