Cantilevers for the River, 2019

3 – 9 ft x 9 ft constructed photographs on paper, wheatpaste*

The first railway bridge on this site was the Niagara Cantilever Bridge, designed by Chief Engineer Charles C. Schneider and financed by American tycoon, Cornelius Vanderbilt. The first crossing took place December 6, 1883. This image is constructed from a photograph produced sometime between 1905 and 1920**, graphics based on the two cantilevers, and a current photograph of the river below.

The word, “bridge”, is often used as a metaphor. In this case, the image is a bridge between past and present and conveys movement through time and space. The partition of the image, the position of the cantilevers, and the scale of the water all contribute to an impression of displacement. You will experience this art work differently depending on your own movement in time and space either in a vehicle or as a pedestrian. And the river – the river is always there, a boundary and a barrier that industry sought to overcome – ever constant and ever changing.

** Detroit Publishing Co. United States Library of Congress. Digital ID det.4a18788. Public Domain.

* Note on exhibition
This work was selected for the City of Niagara Falls Wheatpaste Installation Project of August/September 2019 for the Niagara River Railway Bridge Underpass at Park and Bridge Streets, Niagara Falls ON. The work was not exhibited because it did not adhere.

The artist would like to thank Danny Custodio for his assistance.