Michael Belmore and Adrian Göllner, members of Team Rapoport design team shortlisted for The Global Affairs Commemorative Artwork
Global Affairs Canada Commemorative Artwork
The Global Affairs Commemorative Artwork will recognize the dedication and sacrifices made by employees and their families at Canada’s 178 missions abroad. It will honour those who have died in service to Canada. The commemoration will be located on the grounds of the John G. Diefenbaker Building at 111 Sussex Drive in Ottawa.
Design Competition
In September 2020, teams of professional artists, landscape architects, architects, and other urban design professionals were invited to submit their credentials and examples of prior work for this design competition. In March 2021, a jury composed of professionals in art and design and representatives from Global Affairs Canada and affected families, shortlisted four finalist teams.
Team Rapoport - Images of the Design Concept
Team members
Plant Architect Inc., architecture and landscape architecture
Adrian Göllner, artist
Michael Belmore, artist
Pierre Poussin, artist
Mark Thompson Brandt, stakeholder engagement
Fredericka Gregory, diplomatic advisor
Design intent
The Eddy is a commemorative artwork that honours fallen Canadian foreign service workers. Inspired by the Global Affairs Canada site alongside the Rideau River, the artwork takes the form of a river eddy, a place in a river where a stone or tree stands against the current causing the flow to curl back on itself and pause. A tall standing stone conducts the space around itself forming the land into sweeping berms and pathways, but leaving in its wake a placid centre in which the names of the fallen are presented with formal dignity upon a river-inspired sculpture that speaks to time and resistance.
Whether as an individual or as a member of a larger ceremony, The Eddy takes us out of the current and gives us the moment we need to slow down, reflect and remember diplomats, consular professionals and Embassy staff we have lost.