Public site-specific installation
Location: Victoria Park, Charlottetown, PEI
Materials: Wood, Soil, Polyethylene tarps
Dimensions: 3 ft x 3 ft x 21 "mounds"
Completed: 2011
"Field of Fire" was conceived as a large-scale, multi-fire installation for the inaugural Art In The Open festival in Charlottetown, PEI, in 2011. The concept involved the construction, lighting, and maintenance of multiple fires throughout the night on the central field of Victoria Park, a site rich in historical significance.
The installation made its debut in August 2011, with the invaluable assistance of volunteers who helped set up 21 “mound” fires across Victoria Park. To ensure safety against flying sparks, polyethylene tarps were secured to the ground, and mineral soil was used to create a 10-inch high bed on top of each tarp. Each “mound” measured 3 ft. x 3 ft., roughly the size of a medium campfire, and was evenly spaced across the field, creating a captivating visual landscape.
As night fell, the behaviour of viewers interacting with the installation and with one another was remarkable to observe. The “mounds” transformed into individualized campfires, fostering spontaneous social connections and a sense of shared intimacy. This communal experience evoked a primal, universal need to ward off the darkness of night, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Originally intended as a one-time event, the overwhelming success of "Field of Fire" led to significant demand for its return at the Art In The Open festival in 2013. Since then, it has become a permanent fixture at all future Art In The Open events, continuing to engage and inspire audiences with its elemental charm and communal spirit.