100Stone

There is an exhibit called 100Stone.  There are not 100 of them, but close, about 85, I believe.  The 100Stone exhibit is the brainchild of Sarah Davies.

Early on in late-November when the exhibit was put up at Point Woronzof, I was too late to see the statues in their original places, standing up, with many walking toward the water.  They were dedicated to those with emotional and mental issues, and were intended to raise awareness of depression and suicide.  The tide and ice had come in and violently ripped them from their rebar stands. 

The statues were gathered up by the artist and volunteers and laid up near the edge of the cliff, many of them in rows that made me think of a morgue.  It was a sad sight … and I hoped I’d be able to see them upright again at some point.

The statues were covered with snow ... much like you could envision some unfortunates who have chosen to stay out in the weather, no matter that they might perish.

In late-December I was going to Point Woronzof to release some murres for Bird TLC, as I mentioned in my previous blog.  The visit was two-fold – to do the release and to see the statues that had been righted.  I was excited to see them, and got the release business taken care of before I would even allow myself to look at the statues.

The line of figures draws your attention even as your eyes are pulled to the individual statues.

Some of the statues have color ... which makes them appear more vulnerable.

They were set in lines near the bottom of the cliff, surrounded by water, ice and mud.  They’re fascinating, they’re amazing, they’re sad.  They are set in a variety of poses.  Some are shown on the ground as if crawling, some have their hands up as if in horror, and a few are even pregnant.  While the trail leading to the statues was treacherous, it was worth it to be able to see them.  

Desperation is visible even in concrete and plaster.

 A visit would touch anyone … to see the groupings, the amazing exhibition that will most likely gradually disappear as the wind, weather and tides disintegrate the statues, much like a human disappears … dust-to-dust, and we’re gone.   

This statue seems to be looking out, perhaps hoping that something or someone can save him.

While all of the statues are heartbreaking, ones like this pull at you even more.

The exhibit is moving, and I’d love to go back.  But it is an emotional exhibit, and perhaps better left seen only twice.