VISITING AND PARK EVENTS
The Sculpture Park is open to the public for self-guided viewing or curator-guided tours from mid-July to mid-August each year. Exact opening times vary, so please check the website for the current years openings and events. In addition to openings for the general public to view the sculpture, other events and openings are held throughout the year.
SPECIAL EVENT DETAILS
ART AND AI FILM SCREENINGS
Michael Tippett’s “Maximum Perception” (11min)
Video interviews of the filmmaker and other presenters at the 2024 JRSP Forum on Art and AI. (12min)
Discussion on Art and AI
Tuesday August 13 and Thursday August 15th
Screening from 12pm (Park Open 9:30am-1:30pm)
Maximum Perception by Michael Tippett is a short film generated by Artificial Intelligence on the topic of AI augmented reality. The film will be followed by video interviews with the filmmaker, and other presenters at the 2024 JRSP Company of Ideas Forum on Art and AI. The JRSP Curator will lead a discussion about the role of art in augmenting ethical decision making.
MASTERS OF COUNTERPOINT CONCERT SERIES
Borealis String Quartet performing
Tuesday Aug 6
Concert at 12:00pm (Park Open 9:30am-1:30pm)
- Mendelssohn, String Quartet No 6 in F minor op. 80
- Michael Conway Baker, Aurora Quartet
Thursday Aug 8
Concert at 12:00pm (Park Open 9:30am-1:30pm)
- Paul Alexander, Remembering Steel Skies Raining Tears String Quartet – 2nd Movement
- Imant Raminsh, String Quartet No 3
Please bring a blanket or folding chairs and enjoy the performance outdoors. We encourage visitors to arrive early, reserve a spot, and then peruse the park. We also encourage visitors to bring sunscreen and water. Washrooms will not be available during performances.
SOUND ART DIFFUSION SERIES
Daniela O’Fee
Tuesday July 30
11:30am (Park Open 9:30am-1:30pm)
Transmissions Sonic Improvisations On the Sculptures of Jeffrey Rubinoff
Daniela O’Fee created her Transmissions series as a direct response to the sculptures of Jeffery Rubinoff. Adopting the perspective of intergalactic researchers in this work, O’Fee utilizes distance as a critical tool. Created remotely, these transmissions are the researchers’ attempts to understand Rubinoff’s sculptural forms by activating each structure’s sonic presence – comprised of aural form, rhythm, texture, and tonality. Working in direct response to specific sculptures at the JRSP, O’Fee utilizes sound as an imaginative tool. Transmissions soundscapes grant each sculpture a distinct, auditory dimension.
Jess Conn-Potegal
Thursday August 1
11:30am (Park Open 9:30am-1:30pm)
Contemplation on Water and Steel
Jess Conn Potegal’s 2023 Contemplations on Water and Steel is a sound-based exploration of Jeffery Rubinoff’s sculptures. In collaboration with JRSP Curator Karun Koernig on bass, keys and flute, Conn-Potegal engages with Rubinoff’s work as aural entities in this project: deploying mallets and contact microphones, he effectively plays the sculptures. The result is an assemblage of sculptural forms transposed into an auditory landscape, complimented by aural fragments from the natural environment. Sound remains the subject of Contemplations, but it is also the instrument which enables it. In eliciting sounds from the sculptural forms, as well as collecting environmental noises from the grounds of the JRSP, Conn-Potegal explores sound as an organic occurrence – both contrived and natural.
SCULPTURAL SERENADES CONCERT SERIES
Royce Rich, Violin & Joseph Stacy, Piano performing
Thursday July 25
Concert at 12:00pm (Park Open 9:30am-1:30pm)
- P. Sarasate (1844 – 1908) Carmen Fantasy Op25 (intro &Habanera)
- L. van Beethoven (1770-1827) Second Romance
- M. Mozskowski (1854-1925) Guitarre
- R. Drigo (1846-1930) Bluette Waltz
- C. Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso
Friday Jul 26
Concert at 12:00pm (Park Open 9:30am-1:30pm)
- L. van Beethoven (1770-1827) Second Romance
- M. Mozskowski (1854-1925) Guitarre
- R. Drigo (1846-1930) Bluette Waltz
- N. Paganini (1782-1840) Caprice No. 24
- N. Milstein (1904-1992) Paganini Variations
- C. Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso
Friday July 26 – Golden Hour
Concert at 8:45pm (Park Open 7:30pm-9:30pm)
- J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Chaconne in D Minor
Visiting the park
Jeffrey Rubinoff wanted the Park to be a place for the appreciation of non-commodity values of art. As such, there is no charge for admittance, or for tours, concerts, or events. The sculptures are permanently sited. They are not for sale, and cannot be shown in another museum or any other context.
2024 Public openings are 9:30 am to 1:30 pm on the following days
• Guided Tours depart at 10am (some event days are excluded)
• Self-guided audio tour guides available for loan and to download
Tuesday July 16
Thursday July 18
Tuesday July 23
Thursday July 25 – 12pm Solo violin works and duets with piano
Friday July 26 – 12pm Solo violin works and duets with piano
Friday July 26th – 7:30-9:30pm
Golden Hour in the Park – experience the park in a different light, with a sunset performance of Bach’s Chaconne
Tuesday July 30 – Site specific Sound Art Compositions by Daniela O’Fee
Thursday Aug 1 – Site specific Sound Art Composition by Jess Conn Potegal
Tuesday Aug 6 – 12pm Borealis String Quartet
Thursday Aug 8 – 12pm Borealis String Quartet
Tuesday Aug 13 – 12pm – Michael Tippett’s “Maximum Perception”. An film generated by Artificial Intelligence on the topic of Artificial Intelligence. Screening followed by video interviews of the filmmaker and other presenters at the 2024 JRSP Forum on Art and AI (total run time 20 minutes). Discussion about the role of art in augmenting ethical decision making to follow.
Thursday Aug 15 – 12pm – Michael Tippett’s “Maximum Perception”. An film generated by Artificial Intelligence on the topic of Artificial Intelligence. Screening followed by video interviews of the filmmaker and other presenters at the 2024 JRSP Forum on Art and AI (total run time 20 minutes). Discussion about the role of art in augmenting ethical decision making to follow.
Why book a curator-led tour?
Jeffrey Rubinoff’s sculptures communicate through an abstract language of gesture, form, rhythm, and movement. For those unfamiliar with viewing abstract sculptural work, a curator-led tour can introduce you to the artist’s aesthetic and philosophical aims, as well as his intellectual context and history. Over the course of an approximately two-hour stroll, you will be given visual and aesthetic-analytical tools to help understand and enjoy the collection more deeply.
Tours depart at 10am on every public opening.
The JRSP Audio Guide App
The JRSP Audio Guide App provides several themed tours that visitors can listen to as they walk through the park. These tours discuss the broader themes of the abstract sculpture of Jeffrey Rubinoff.
To download the app:
1. Go to the App Store or Google Play Store and search for “JRSP Audio Guide”.
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/jrsp-audio-guide/id1524233542
Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytoursapp.android.app2566
2. Download the app onto your device,
3. Once the app is downloaded, you can download the tour (or tours) of your choice.
4. Hit “Start Tour” at the Information Centre Building and the introduction will play.
5. Begin your visit! The tour will automatically play as you move through the park.
Visiting outside public opening times
With sufficient advance notice and planning, it may be possible open the park for individual viewing or tours outside of regular openings and pre-planned events. Permission is necessary to visit the park outside of regular openings. If you would like to propose an event or an individual tour, please contact us as far in advance as possible.
NOTE: Access to the park outside of openings is a the discretion of the park management.
Can I use the park for an arts event?
If you would like to propose an educational event, conference, course or workshop at the Park, please do get in touch with us. There are several other regularly scheduled events throughout the year, so advance planning is crucial.
Please note that the Sculpture Park is mandated only to host events that engage with the sculpture collection, or with concerns or values expressed by Jeffrey Rubinoff.
If your event is approved, the venue is provided free of charge. No additional funding is available for such events.
We require that all events are free to attend, or by donation for a non-profit or public service cause.
Music & Sonic Art in the park
Each year we host public concerts during our summer opening season called Masters of Counterpoint. All the music performed employs a technique called counterpoint, which Rubinoff used extensively to compose his sculpture. For over 10 years, the Borealis String Quartet has been our resident string quartet performing exquisite music by Beethoven, Haydn, Shostakovich, and Schönberg.
In 2024 we begin a new chapter presenting additional music as well as sonic art.
Preparing for your visit
The exhibit covers ca. 100 acres. Self-guided visitors should plan a minimum of at least 45 minutes to see the whole park. Curator-led tours take around two hours.
Download a map of the park here
The artist’s studio is open to visitors. However, as per the artist’s wishes, we recommend visiting the studio after seeing the sculptures.
The Hornby bus stops at the Sculpture Park. Please see Hornby Bus for a schedule.
Click here for frequently asked questions
Book a tour
Tours depart 10am on all public openings.