Canadians are being invited to learn and share their views on the five design concepts for the National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan that have now been revealed by the federal government.
“I am very interested to hear what Canadians think about these five designs. Each is unique and reflects the theme of this memorial differently”, said Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage, in a press release.
In 2019, teams of professional artists, landscape architects, architects and other urban design professionals were invited to present their credentials to design the monument. Veterans Affairs Canada later held consultations with families and experts on design considerations for the monument.
Last August, the government announced five teams were shortlisted to prepare proposals for the monument, which were revealed this Wednesday (May 26th).
Canadians have until June 9, 2021 to share their thoughts on the designs in an online survey.
A jury will then consider the survey responses and select the winning artistic concept that will be announced in the fall of 2021.
The jury is composed of experts in visual arts and urban design and representatives from key groups including a veteran of Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, a representative of the families of the fallen, a non-veteran representative of the mission in Afghanistan as well as a military historian.
The monument will be built on the east side of Booth Street, in front of the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, and is scheduled for completion in 2024, depending on the limitations imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The National Monument to the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan aims to recognize the commitment and sacrifice of Canadians who served in Afghanistan and will be a permanent place for Canadians to reflect on their service. In addition, the monument aims to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to learn more about the mission.
See below the concept images (taken from the Canadian Government website Online Survey: Proposed designs for the National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan – Canada.ca) at presented by the five teams:
Concept Image – Team Daoust
Concept Image – Team Hapa Collaborative
Concept Image – Team Lashley MacDonald
Concept Image – Team PFS Studio
Concept Image – Team Stimson
