Century Plaza
One
Douglas Bentham, Saskatoon, SK
Project Overview
This sculpture’s theme is a gateway, a window, which links the past to the future through our present. The image is that of the circle: a unifying, multi-faceted ring representing the spirit of Saskatoon, a community in which co-operation through shared individualism is cherished; integration through diversity is respected; and accessibility, inclusiveness, tolerance, creativity, innovation and endurance are celebrated.
A stainless steel ring, comprised of individual segments, implies that a unified whole can be achieved through the co-operation of diverse entities. The ring image invokes the history of the site. The aboriginal medicine wheel and the importance of the wheel to the early Saskatoon settlement are intimated, even as they coalesce with present day connections to industry, leading on to tomorrow’s world by drawing upon the circular energy embodied by the Canadian Light Source, and beyond.
Viewers become engaged in the positive, dynamic tension created by this landmark, and as they pass between seating elements to the circular reflecting pool at the base of the sculpture, they become part of an inner sanctum of stillness and interlude.
Eventually, all things merge into one and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are [ours].Norman Maclean
A River Runs Through It
The raised lettering, the words, create a frieze as they circumvent the sculpture’s face in concentric circles. Following the phrase We are…, which is highlighted on the upper lintel, are adjectives such as peaceful, courageous, charitable, hardworking, respectful and fair. They represent the values that we attribute to Saskatoon’s uniqueness. These are the words that define and guide us as we move through our history to embrace the future.
Douglas Bentham Bio
Douglas Bentham was born in Rosetown, Saskatchewan in 1947 and has lived in Saskatoon since 1959. He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Saskatchewan. He started his first sculpture studio in 1969 and since that time has devoted his full time to the production of sculpture. This production is carried out in a large studio complex he maintains near Saskatoon.
Bentham has staged over forty solo exhibitions of his work including a nationally touring exhibition organized by the Art Gallery of York University, Toronto in 1976, and a ten year survey, Douglas Bentham: Getting to Now, organized by the Mackenzie Art Gallery, Regina in 1980. In addition he has contributed to well over one hundred group exhibitions in commercial galleries and public art museums in Canada, the United States and Europe. He has executed numerous public commissions in Canada including the National Science Library, Ottawa in 1973; the Government of Canada Building, Calgary in 1981; the University of Athabasca, Alberta in 1984; and Innovation Place, Saskatoon in 1989. Most recently he has completed a Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 Gateway Sculpture for Lloydminster, Saskatchewan.
Douglas Bentham is pleased to list the following Saskatoon firms as partners in his proposal for the Century Plaza Landmark Commission:
Crosby Hanna & Associates
Landscape Architecture
Robb Kullman Engineering Ltd.
Structural Engineering
Catterall & Wright
Municipal Engineering
Cochrane Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Allan Construction Co. Ltd.
Construction Management
