A continuation of our story following the commissioning and creation of the public sculpture TO THE RIVER, which will be installed near the Humber River in Toronto. Continue reading
Category Archives: Public Space/Public Art
PUBLIC SPACE/PUBLIC ART
Public space that is inviting and functional, in a metropolis like Toronto, is a vital element of community. Public space that includes public art plays an even more important role in the social fabric of a city. In this issue we look at shared spaces in the city that invite, engage and challenge. Continue reading
MIXING TORONTO: A Nuit Blanche Installation
A preview of an exciting installation that portrays public space and is displayed in public space – a layered imagery of the fabric of Toronto. Continue reading
EARLY TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS
The lack of open space in overcrowded neighbourhoods created a visible problem a century ago. Children played in hazardous storage yards and vacant lots, were exposed to disease near waste disposal sites and were struck down by vehicles. Local reformers tackled the problem through the Toronto Playground Association. Continue reading
CREATING PUBLIC ART
We follow a sculptor as he proposes and gets a commission then proceeds to turn the winning concept into a larger-than-life work of art that will withstand the ages. Continue reading
ART IN THE CONDO CANYONS
Facing the wall of condos that separates the city from the lake we encounter astonishing new public art. Here’s a sampling. Continue reading
WAITING FOR GOOGLE
Our contemporary public square may be the internet, but China exerts state power and alerts us to the limits of freedom on the web. Continue reading
A WALK IN THE WOODS: Discovering Sherwood Park
What’s a walk in the park without dogs, kids, fitness fanatics and a creek to refresh everyone? Well maybe just the dogs do the refreshing. It’s all at Sherwood Park in north Toronto. Continue reading
POPS: Putting the Public in Private
With no big blocks of real estate left for parks in our dense urban landscape, the city has been creating public areas in the spaces between and around new condos and commercial developments. These are POPS (Privately Owned Publicly-Accessible Spaces). How do they work and how can we use them? Continue reading
SCHOOL ART: Form Can Be Functional
When an aging Toronto school needed to be rebuilt, the school board came up with an innovative idea. Here’s how a neighbourhood got a new green school, a public athletic field and some great outdoor artwork to be enjoyed by all. Continue reading
PUBLIC INTERVENTION/PUBLIC INSTALLATION
What was that geodesic plywood and scrap construction? And how did it change over time as people added messages, signs and pylons? Collaborative art? Perhaps. Continue reading
THE CITY AS CYCLISTS’ GALLERY
Art Spin is a local art event and tour on bicycles. Two of our intrepid contributors took the challenge on a recent summer evening. They saw art installations, performances (musical and theatrical) and had some great food. Continue reading
AND IF YOU KNOW WHERE YOU STAND…
In a small corner park on Vaughan Road is an artwork called the Community Totem, created by the people who live around there. The installation grounds that little park in time as well as geography; in depth of history and in breadth of the local population. Continue reading
LIVING TORONTO 