by Anura Guruge
on August 15, 2022
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I was amused to see this news story. I assume, given its size, that this family must have sought some kind of permission from the town of ‘Machiasport‘ to do this OR were VIP members from the town. It also had me smiling to read that: “The temporary artwork is drawing appreciation from the locals, from across the internet, and from the many visitors who travel to Bucks Harbor to see Jasper Beach each year.”
I have no axes to grind. I like art in general. I like ‘Jasper Beach’. I like ‘Machiasport’. I love the ‘Bold Coast‘. I, however, do understand & appreciate that there is another, rather controversial, side to this art-work (though, to be fair, this is but a temporary display). That has to do with ‘interfering’ with raw nature — especially in beauty spots such as Jasper Beach. There is an ardent & vociferous camp, that fairly reasonably, claim that we should not bespoil raw, undeveloped nature. We should tread gently & not rearrange anything — not even the rocks. IF you belong to any of Facebook’s many hiking groups you will see regular posts on this emotive subject. They advocate that you leave the rocks be; don’t build cairns, leave cutely painted new ones or take any old ones with you. This camp would be OUTRAGED at what they will see as a defacing of the beach.
I will not take sides. Just present both sides. To this end, I will point out, tongue-in-cheek, that the second beach at ‘Hamilton Cove‘ (on the Bold Coast) does have a cleverly construed & well disguised near-permanent rock-art display. I make a point of going to see it each time I visit. SMILE.
‘Bold Coast’ books (now available). Click on images for details.
