Ottawa: Through the Stereoscope
2023Acrilyc on Wood
Various sizes
Inspired by Ontario natures
Info
Stereo cards were often assembled into “Stereo Tours” sets of cards with maps and booklets that showed their user the sights of some distant land they could enjoy from their parlour.
As an artist using mediums of VR and stereography, I am fascinated by this concept of 19th-century armchair tourism which is alive today in popular VR 360 video tours of famous cities and landmarks. Through this body of work, I seek to examine the colonial practice of the stereo tour in the 19th century.
In recontextualizing tourist photography, I invite viewers to engage with difficult histories that continue to shape our present. I also aim to confront the complex and often difficult issues of Colonialism and unceded native land. By focusing on Ottawa, I seek to delve into the complicated history of the city and its impact on the Indigenous people who once called this land home. Through my images, I hope to challenge viewers to consider the historical and ongoing impacts of Colonialism and to engage with the Indigenous history of this land.
Finally, this project is deeply personal to me as it incorporates family history. By examining stereoscopic views of Ottawa, I am able to connect with my ancestors who may have lived in this region and who may have seen the same scenes centuries before. Through rephotography, I seek to understand my family's place in this historical narrative and to connect with a time long past.
Where Are We Going?
Ottawa remains a living testament to a bygone era - a city steeped in a rich cultural heritage and enduring traditions that have stood the test of time.
And yet, for all its modernity, Ottawa invites us to step back in time and discover the wonders of a world that once was - a rare opportunity to see life as it existed in a bygone era through its stately museums and historical landmarks.
Nestled in the heart of Canada's charming capital region, Ottawa is a city steeped in rich cultural history, where the legacy of its Indigenous peoples mingles with the traditions of European colonizers. The earliest evidence of human habitation in the Ottawa region dates to 6,500 BCE. The name we know it by today "Ottawa" derives from an Algonquian word meaning "to trade", Ottawa is located in the traditional territory of the Algonquin people, a group closely related to both the Odawa and the Ojibwa.
With the arrival of French and British explorers in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Ottawa River served as the chief artery of the Montréal fur trade. The arrival of European explorers and traders introduced diseases such as smallpox, which devastated the Indigenous populations. By about 1650, weakened by disease and warfare, the Algonquin lost their control over the Ottawa River.
The city of Ottawa was officially incorporated as a city in 1855, before becoming the capital of the Province of Canada in 1857
But it was during the Victorian era, when the city became the capital of the young Dominion of Canada, that Ottawa truly flourished. The grand government buildings and regal homes that line the streets today are a testament to the city's colonial past.
Yet even amidst this European influence, the customs and traditions of the Algonquin people endure. Their sacred sites and cultural practices still hold great significance in the fabric of Ottawa's community.
We invite you to discover the wonders of Ottawa for yourself, stroll its streets and marvel at the Indigenous and colonial history that makes this city truly unique
How Are We Going?
In previous journeys I have seen Ottawa with my natural eyes; during this itinerary, we shall see, so to speak, with our stereoscopic eyes; and having used both these media of sightseeing, I wish to state to those not already familiar with the genuine realism of the stereograph, that its power to produce vivid and permanent impressions on the mind is scarcely less than that of one’s natural vision; that it gives accuracy in size, proportion, distance and perspective; and, besides these things, it gives a vivid and fascinating effect that almost equals reality in producing pleasurable sensations and in giving a sort of mental emphasis which fixes all impressions.
If you cannot visit a country and see it as the traveller does, do the next best thing and see it through that miracle of realism, the stereograph.
“Standing on Chaudiere Island and facing north-north-west towards the Quebec side, we can see the bridge crossing the Ottawa River. To our left is the Chaudiere Falls, which the Anishinaabe people call Akikodjiwan or Akikpautik. The Ottawa River, known as Kichi Sibi in Anishinaabemowin, flows to our right towards the Parliament buildings. Akikodjiawan is a sacred site for the Algonquin Anishinaabe nation.
According to Anishinaabe beliefs, the footsteps of Wisakedjak (also known as Nanaboozo or Nanabush) can be seen along the Ottawa River where he once stood at Akikpautik. Chaudiere Falls represent the Creator's first pipe given to the Anishinaabe by Wisakedjak. The horseshoe-shaped falls are symbolic of a pipe bow, with an underwater cavern where water travels through and re-emerges downstream representing the pipe stem. The narrowing of the river mirrors how the pipe stem connects to the bowl. The mist rising from the bowl represents smoke and prayers going up to the Creator, while rainbows that appear above the bowl represent two sacred elements, water and fire, or man and woman, coming together in the special act of creation. These unique features of Chaudiere Falls hold spiritual significance for the Anishinaabe people.”
“163 years later and we can observe significant changes on both the Quebec and Ottawa sides. The Chaudiere Falls, located to our left, has been transformed into a hydro dam. Meanwhile, the surrounding areas are undergoing development by the Windmill Development Group. Ahead of us, we can see a new metal truss bridge that was constructed across the Ottawa River and ongoing construction on the left side of the bridge.
William Commanda, an esteemed elder, proposed a plan to renaturalize the sacred site and establish a park, historic center, and indigenous centers. However, this proposal was rejected in favour of the Windmill Development Group's current plan.”
We are currently standing in front of the Supreme Court Buildings, which were designed by Thomas Seaton Scott, the Chief Dominion Architect. Originally, the building was constructed to serve as government workshops that were responsible for building and repairing government furniture, such as bookcases and cabinets. The construction of the building was completed in 1874, but it was later renovated in 1876 to serve as the Supreme Court building that we see today. From 1882-1911 this building was shared by both the supreme court and the National Gallery of Canada before the National Gallery moved to the Victoria Memorial Building.
After the passage of 100 years you can observe that the old Supreme Court building was replaced by a new building designed by Ernest Cormier, a Montreal architect, in 1939. The new building, which is in front of us, was occupied by the Supreme Court in 1945. The building's Art Deco style and modern use of materials like concrete and glass make it notable. The building has undergone several renovations and additions, including a modern wing in 1971. The building has become an iconic landmark in Ottawa and a symbol of Canadian justice. Recently, on August 19th of 2022, Michelle O'Bonsawin was appointed as the first Indigenous justice to the Supreme Court of Canada.
121 years later we can see the new Peace Tower built after the fire in 1916 which destroyed the original parliament. After the fire, plans were made to rebuild the Centre Block. This new building was designed by John A. Pearson and J.O. Marchand. in the Gothic Revival style and incorporated the remaining elements of the old building, including the library which survived the fire. The reconstruction took almost a decade and was completed in 1927. The building is considered one of Canada's most iconic landmarks.
In the 1990s indigenous artifacts were found during several archeological excavations on capital hill, and Algonquin remains are likely in the parliament building since the sand used for some of the mortar in the building came from a confirmed local burial site. In 2019 a major renovation of the Centre block was started, the two cranes you can see here are part of this renovation.
We are now on the lawn at Parliament hill standing beside the west block of Parliament looking northeast towards the centre block. The Centre Block of Canada's Parliament Buildings is the main building of the Canadian federal government. It was built between 1859 and 1866 in the Gothic Revival style, and it is located on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario. The Centre Block contains the House of Commons and the Senate, as well as other important government offices and meeting rooms. The building was designed by Thomas Fuller, who won the design competition for the new Parliament Buildings in 1859. The building's construction was not without controversy, as it went over budget and was delayed several times. Additionally, the building's location on the site of a former military barracks was criticized by some who felt that it was not grand enough for the new seat of government.
Before you now you can see the welcome to given In 1902 to the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later King George V and Queen Mary) when they visited Parliament Hill in Ottawa as part of their royal tour of Canada. They are greeted by a large crowd and a military salute before being escorted to the Centre Block. While in the Senate Chamber, the Duke laid the cornerstone of the new Parliament Building. The royal couple then attended a luncheon with Canadian dignitaries before departing for their next stop on the tour. The visit was seen as a significant moment in Canadian history and demonstrated Canada's growing ties to the British Empire.
121 years later we are standing beside what is now the new Indigenous Peoples' Building. Now we can see, through the gates standing around the eternal flame a protest organized by The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), and the Syndicat canadien de la fonction publique (SCFP). The protest is to voice their concerns over the erosion of public health protection in Canada. These protests have taken place in response to the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in regards to the safety of frontline workers, access to personal protective equipment, and the privatization of healthcare services. The unions are calling for stronger measures to protect workers and ensure access to public healthcare for all Canadians.
To the right of the Centre Block of Parliament looking north, you can see the statue of Queen Victoria designed by Quebec sculptor Louis-Philippe Hébert on its Unveiling in 1901, over 40 years after she chose Ottawa as the capital of the Province of Canada in 1857. Queen Victoria's decision was influenced by Ottawa's strategic location on important waterways, its position between Quebec and Ontario, its distance from the American border, and its location on a cliff making it easy to defend.
121 years later we still see the lights have been removed that were present at its unveiling but otherwise the statue is unchanged. Behind the statue, the tree cover is gone and you can see the top of the Alexandria Bridge and Gatinaeu in the bottom right. As you stand before this statue, it serves as a testament to Queen Victoria's enduring legacy and impact on the city of Ottawa which sits on unceded land in contravention of the 1763 royal proclamation made by King George III . Queen Victoria had a significant relationship with Ottawa as Prince Albert, her husband, laid the cornerstone of the new Parliament Buildings on Parliament Hill in 1859. Additionally, her daughter, Princess Louise, served as the viceregal consort of Canada from 1878 to 1883, and her granddaughter, Princess Patricia, served as the Honorary Colonel-in-Chief of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, a Canadian Army regiment named in her honor.
Now we are standing in front of the Chateau Laurier, finished just one year prior. A block to the west is Parliament Hill. The construction of the hotel began in 1909, and it was completed in 1912, designed by the American architect Bradford Lee Gilbert in the French Gothic Revival style and features steep roofs, turrets, and intricate stonework.. It was built by the Grand Trunk Railway as a luxurious stopover for travelers on their transcontinental journey. The hotel was named in honor of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Prime Minister of Canada from 1896 to 1911.
110 years later and we can see that the hotel has remained virtually unchanged, to the right you can see an extension to the hotel. Directly behind and to your left, there is the National War Memorial and in front and to your left there is a stairway down to the Rideau Canal which was added with bannisters and sculptures that can be seen at the bottom of the view. Over the years, the hotel has hosted several notable guests, including royalty, heads of state, and celebrities. It has also undergone several renovations and expansions, including the addition of a modern wing in 1999. Today, the Chateau Laurier remains a symbol of elegance and prestige in Ottawa and is considered one of Canada's most iconic hotels.
From this vantage, we can see the Rideau Locks and Gatineau. You are standing beside the newly built Chateau Laurier which is just off to your right, behind you is Union Station. On your right you can see the balcony of the Chateau and just beyond that you can see the railway with a passenger train coming towards Union Station. Off to your left just out of sight are the parliament buildings. In the centre of the scene in front of you there is the Alexandria Bridge connecting Ontario to Quebec which you can see across the Ottawa River. On the Quebec side at the bottom of the bridge, you can see where an indigenous burial site was excavated in 1843.
109 years later and we can see that across the river Gatineau has become highly developed, the Alexandria Bridge is still there but the railway has been torn up and replaced with a car park. On the far right of the view, you can see the tower of the new National Art Gallery building which opened in 1988. Across the river where the burial site was is now the location of the Museum of Civilization and directly behind us in what was Union Station is now the Canadian Senate.
We have now arrived at the Union Station which has just been completed. We are standing with our back to the Chateau Laurier which has also just been completed. The Building was designed by Ross & MacFarlane, a Montreal firm in a Beaux-Arts style. To your right is Parliament Hill. Union Station was built by the Grand Trunk Railway corporation with encouragement from sir Wilfried Laurier in the hopes of turning Ottawa into the “Washington of the north”. Laurier sold the land that both Union Station and the Chateau Laurier were built on, the land was once part of Major’s Hill Park. The station replaced an earlier train station.
109 years later the historic Union Station building in Ottawa is now home to Canada's Senate while the Centre Block undergoes renovations. The building has undergone some changes over the years, The current Canada Senate building, located within the Union Station building, was constructed between 2016 and 2019 as part of a larger project to modernize and upgrade the Parliament Hill precinct. Designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects, the new Senate building features a modern, glass-walled addition that seamlessly integrates into the historic Union Station building. The building's design aims to promote transparency and includes public spaces to encourage interaction between Senators and members of the public. Since 2019, the Senate of Canada has been operating from the new building, which now serves as the primary workplace for Senators and staff. The building includes various public spaces, such as a Senate Chamber, committee rooms, and a public gallery, all of which are open to visitors.
You are now standing next to the seventh lock from the mouth of the canal on the west side of the canal. Once again we are looking out on the Rideau Canal and Gatineau across the River. On the right of the canal mouth, you see the Royal Engineers Building, now converted to a private residence and across the canal on the left is the Commissariat. If you look closely at the end of the lock you can see a ferry. On the right side past the mouth of the canal, you can see a wharf with another boat docked at it.
The area across the river, unceded indigenous land, now known as the Hull section of Gatineau was initially settled by European farmers in 1800. However, they soon shifted their focus to logging, which they sold to the UK and the US. The river and the warehouse on the docks that you can see were used to transport this lumber.
117 years on and what was once the Commissariat building on the west side of the Canal is now the Bytown Museum. The residence on the right side has been torn down as has the wharf further down on the right side. By 1920 the logging that was so important to the early histories of Gatineau and Ottawa resulted in less than 4% of the old-growth forest in the region being left.
You are currently standing at the mouth of the canal where it meets the Ottawa River, on the west side of the canal, looking up at Sappers Bridge. As you look down the Rideau Canal towards you, you can see the Ottawan, a steam-powered cruise ship that makes regular trips up and down the canal. On the east side of the canal, at the top of the hill, you can see the Chateau Laurier, which was constructed 10 years prior to your current view.
The Rideau Canal traces a well-travelled indigenous route from the Ottawa River to Lake Ontario. It was built between 1826 and 1832 as a military waterway for the British, under the oversight of Lieutenant-Colonel John By. The canal provided a safe route for British military vessels to travel between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence River. Built by hand, the construction of the canal involved the labour of thousands of workers, including both British soldiers and Irish and French-Canadian labourers. Today, the Rideau Canal is a popular tourist destination, and visitors can explore the canal's rich history and natural beauty by boat or on foot.
After 99 years, new lamp posts have been installed and a major addition to the Chateau Laurier is visible to your left. On the right side, you can see the Bytown museum. The Rideau Canal is now considered one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beyond its military significance, the canal played a vital role in the economic growth of eastern Ontario by offering a means of transportation for goods and people. Nowadays, the Rideau Canal is a famous tourist attraction that draws visitors from all over the world who come to appreciate its historic locks, engineering marvels, and beautiful scenery. The canal still serves as a navigable waterway, and visitors can explore it by boat or on foot, experiencing its rich history and natural beauty. This winter is the first year that the annual skating rink on the canal has not opened due to climate change.
Now we are standing in Ottawa Park looking southwest towards the Parliament. In the back, you can see the library of parliament and to the left, there is the east block of parliament. In the foreground, you can see the flower gardens with a decorative fountain and benches for parkgoers to enjoy. The land on which Major's Hill Park stands was originally part of a larger tract of land granted to Philemon Wright, a prominent early settler of the region, by the British Crown in the early 1800s. The land changed hands several times over the years until it was acquired by the government of the Province of Canada in the mid-19th century. In 1875, the park was officially established by the federal government and named after Major Daniel Bolton, who had been instrumental in the construction of the Rideau Canal. Over the years, the park has undergone a number of changes and renovations, including the addition of ornamental gardens, statues, and fountains.
126 years later and the library of parliament still stands at the back of the view but the east block has been rebuilt and you can see the new Peace tower of the center block on the far left. You can also see the cranes that are being used in the current renovation of the parliament buildings. None of the trees or landscaping present in 1897 is still present in Majors Hill Park, and you can see new lights put up near the middle of the view. The park has been the site of many important events, including military parades, political demonstrations, and cultural festivals. Today, Major's Hill Park remains an important landmark in the city of Ottawa, attracting visitors from around the world who come to enjoy its beauty, history, and panoramic views of the city and the Ottawa River.
You are currently standing above the Ottawa River, gazing out towards the mouth of the Rideau Canal where it meets the river. Above you, you can see Capital Hill and the newly constructed Capital buildings. The Ottawa River was historically a vital trade route for the Anishinaabe people, connecting their communities. Later, it became an important route in the fur trade and was also used to transport lumber when Ottawa was established as a logging town. Directly below the Capital buildings, you can see the Commissariat building on the west side of the canal. If you look behind the Royal Engineers Building, you can see Sappers Bridge. Looking down, you can observe the docks and warehouses with three boats docked. Not far from your location is the point where the Kiji Sibi, the Rideau, and the Gatineau rivers meet. Waterways, where rivers converge, were considered special meeting spots for the Algonquin people.
163 years later and you are standing on the lookout of Alexandria Bridge looking south at the Canal. you can see that the dock and warehouses have been demolished as has the Royal Engineers building on the east of the canal, if you look up to your left you can see the Chateau Laurier and to the right, you can see the rebuilt Parliament Buildings. Alexandria Bridge was built by the Ottawa and Gatineau Railway and the Pontiac Pacific Junction Railway. It was completed in 1900, it originally served as a dual-purpose railway bridge and vehicular bridge connecting Ontario and Quebec from Nepean point in Ottawa to Hull in Gatineau.