Client: Veterans Affairs Canada

Services: Sceneographic and Projection Design

Location: National War Memorial, Ottawa, ON

MCLD was engaged by Veterans Affairs Canada to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Vimy action with an illumination at the National War Memorial on April 9, 2017. 2017 also marks the 70th anniversary of the dedication of the Vimy memorial in Arras, France.

Vimy is arguably Canada's finest war memorial. Its allegorical nature raises it above simply a place to remember fallen soldiers and into a space where the public can engage with it on a higher level and remember the young men. Vimy in its statuary is an homage to nobler ideals, and not a monument to militaristic triumphs. The monument eschews militarism in favour of the exploration of grief and sacrifice. Although Vimy occupies an exalted space in Canadian consciousness, and has become part of its foundational narrative, very few Canadians have actually visited the monument. MCLD and VAC presented a visual portrait of the Vimy monument by projecting onto the Canadian National War Memorial, allowing viewers to witness the grandeur of the monument and observe the story the sculptor, artist Walter Seymour Allward, wrought from stone, about sacrifice and loss.  

MCLD provided all content, sourced all equipment and liaised with all contractors and parties for this event.