Canoe Wave
68'x14'x26'
aluminum canoes
Lewiston, ID
2010
Canoe Wave is a logical extension of Christopher's work as an engineer and sculptor. He has built several Waves already using reclaimed materials such as barn wood, so a big wave from canoes seemed like the right direction. The piece was partly funded by a grant from the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial and the use of canoes is an intentional nod to the explorers, who traveled by canoe and met the Nez Perce tribe in Lewiston.
Like most of his work, Canoe Wave is made from at least 80 percent recycled materials. While some of the boats were donated, most had to be purchased from previous owners. Christopher was more than happy to oblige since, as he told one reporter: "I wanted canoes that had a history to them." Standing more than two stories tall and over sixty feet long, the sculpture is made up of over 50 canoes welded together with an internal frame that Christopher built on-site. It overlooks the northern pond bank, situated next to Interstate Bridge. Floating nearby in the pond is a companion piece: two waterlily fountains, also made from canoes.
Select photos courtesy Leon Werdinger.
