as I walk Toronto

‘Seeing Evergreen’

Posted: May 2, 2022 in people, public art
Tags: Dvid Crombie Park, interviews, Jamii, people, photography, portraits, Seeing Evergreen, THe Esplanade

“To know a forest you start with the roots”

“Seeing Evergreen” is an exhibit presented by Jamii Twelve older residents of the area were paired with local youth to share their stories. The results of these conversations, along with portraits of the participants, are on display in David Crombie Park on The Esplanade.

below: All the posters have a large portrait on one side

below: On the other side is a small picture as well as the words written. Posters with portraits and stories of four – Victoria, Naomi, Stella, and Carol-Anne

below: Nancy and Chet, their pictures and stories.

below: Posters with the Toronto skyline behind.

way up Yonge Street

Posted: April 14, 2022 in construction, history, intersections, locations, stores
Tags: Arzon Super Market, businesses, Centerpoint Mall, Communist Party, construction, Cummer Ave., development, graffiti, Happy Nowruz, multicultural, Newtonbrook, Papa Cafe, posters, Seoul Plaza, signs, stencil, stores, Tirgan, Ukraine, vacant lot, Yonge St.

between Steeles and Drewry/Cummer.

Once it was the hinterland but now it feels like the city just goes on and on and on….

below: In 1955 this was the view looking south on Yonge from just north of Cummer/Drewry. This was the center of the community of Newtonbrook, named after the Newton Brook Wesleyan Church founded in 1857. A general store and post office were opened here in 1863 on the northeast corner of Yonge & Drewry (possibly the buildings on the right side of this photo).

black and white photo of yonge street looking south from Cummer

photo credit: James Victor Salmon, found on Toronto Public Library website (public domain).

below: It’s not taken from exactly the same viewpoint (traffic!) but this is what you see looking south on Yonge Street now.

below: Looking north up Yonge Street from just south of Cummer/Drewry. The large house is on the southeast corner of Cummer and Yonge.

old black and white photo of yonge street,

photo credit: Tim Chirnside, found on Toronto Public Library website (public domain)

below: The intersection of Yonge and Cummer (to the east) and Drewry (to the west) today. The large house in the black and white photo above would be on the far right of this picture.

below: Yonge Street is also Provincial Highway 11.

below: It is a major transportation/transit route.

below: Happy Nowruz! or in other words, Happy New Year! It is the Iranian New Year; the beginning of spring; a new day! The banners were by sponsored by Tirgan, an organization that “promotes cross-cultural dialogue between Iranian-Canadians and the global community at large.”

below: There are many other cultures that are well represented in this part of the city.

below: Like so many parts of Toronto, there is a lot of redevelopment taking place. Blue and white development notice signs are everywhere.

below: To be (possibly) replaced by 25 storeys, 347 residences and a daycare.

below: Seoul Plaza with it’s Korean BBQ restaurant and other businesses (not all Korean) – also with a development notice sign in front. I’m not sure of the size of the development but it looks like your average 20ish storeys on podium condo.

below: Looking south from Moore Park Ave

below: Looking north to the intersection of Yonge and Steeles. Steeles Ave has been the northern boundary of the City of Toronto since 1953. All of the tall buildings in this picture are north of Steeles and are in Thornhill (York Region).

below: Pro Ukraine stencil graffiti.

below: I’m not sure what the spring will do but someone has been putting up a lot of posters for the Communist Party.

waterfront

Posted: April 10, 2022 in construction, locations, public art, waterfront
Tags: Aitken Place Park, Alice Aycock, anser, bench, Between the Eyes, billboards, boats, condos, eyes, ferries, fish, John Fung, Lake Ontario, Merchants Wharf, Nbii Dodem, Paul Figueiredo, public art, Que Rock, queens quay east, Redpath Sugar, reflections, Richard Deacon, sculpture, seagull, Sherbourne St., Shore Stories, sugar beach, Sundial Folly, Water Clans, waterfront

Let’s follow the fish! 🐟 It’s pointed east along Queen’s Quay and by coincidence that the direction I’m headed too… 😃

The seagull is not amused.

below: Harbour Square Park with “Sundial Folly” at the water’s edge. This art installation is the work of John Fung and Paul Figueiredo. It has recently been cleaned up. The sphere is hollow and there is a walkway that runs through it. An opening at the south side (water side) acts as a sundial.

below: Looking east from Harbour Square towards the Westin Hotel tower and the park by the ferry docks.

below: Tour boats and ferries still under wraps for the winter months.

below: “Shore Stories” a mosaic located by the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. It was made in 2012 by youth from the community under the guidance of AFCY (Arts for Children and Youth, an organization that may or may not still exist).

below: The “egg beaters” at 1 Yonge Street are now behind a fence. The installation is actually called “Between the Eyes”, and is by Richard Deacon.

below: It’s 830km to Kapuskasing and even farther to Cochrane, just keep following Yonge Street northwards.

below: “A Series of Whirlpool Field Manoeuvres for Pier 27”. by Alice Aycock

below: The walkway along the waterfront comes to an end where a very high concrete wall separates Redpath Sugar from the public space.

below: Que Rock murals, water theme, “Water Clans (Nbii Dodem)” four panels at Redpath Sugar.

below: Pink umbrellas and sugar filled ships, at Sugar Beach.

below: Queens Quay East at Dockside

below: Sherbourne Commons

below: New construction on Queens Quay East where many parts are being made of wood. A new park, Aitkens Place Park lies between the new building and the waterfront.

below: Vacant lot on the corner of Queens Quay East and Small Street.

below: At the foot of Parliament Street.

below: Anser eyes

below: Sweet and salty at the Distillery

Clandestinos in a hidden corner

Posted: April 5, 2022 in graffiti and street art
Tags: baltimore oriole, blackberries, blueberries, Bruno Smoky, butterfly, cherry blossoms, clandestinos, raspberries, Shalak Attack

…. of downtown Toronto.

Shalak Attack and Bruno Smoky have painted another large colourful mural. This one features two women, a baltimore oriole, and many fruits and flowers.

below: Close up of the bird, a baltimore oriole

below: Adorned with leaves, flowers, and fruit – blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Lots of cherry blossoms and another bird too.

The Original Peace Treaty

Posted: April 4, 2022 in graffiti and street art, public art
Tags: Anishinaabe, colours, healing, indigenous, mural, peace, Que Rock, Quentin Commanda, TO Live, Turtle Island

There is a large mural (40′ x 50′) in downtown Toronto on the west wall of the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts on Front Street East. It was painted by Quentin Commanda, aka Que Rock.

below: Commanda’s “Artist Statement” – see below the picture to read the transcription.

Artist Statement:

This mural is meant to be a visual healing experience. The seven rings around Grandfather Sun represent the seven Grandfather teachings of the Anishinaabe people: Wisdom, Love, Humility, Respect, Honesty, Courage, and Truth. There are many layers of sacred geometry patterns on the mural.

The skyline includes the medicine-wheel teachings, Grandmother Moon and the 13 grandmother clan systems. The turtle shell represents North America’s creation story, the 13 full moons per year, and the seven grandfather teachings.

The entire mural also represents the original Peace Treaty of the Six Nations on Turtle Island (North America). The story of the Six Nations Treaty starts with the original five Nations of Turtle Island: the Plant Nation, the Insect Nation, the Bird Nation, the Fish Nation, and the Animal Nation. All five Nations had to agree to let the Human Nation live here on Mother Earth. All five Nations agreed to be humanity’s teachers and the Human Nation was invited to share the land.

The Human Nation was given instructions on how to live on Mother Earth, walk gentle on Mother Earth, learn one new thing every day, and share with one another. These are some of the original instructions given to the Anishinaabe people. The bear represents a Medicine Clan. The Mukwa (bear) is a healer, it is the only animal who communicates with all Six Nations.

The bottom panel represents my story from the past, present, and future. The first character with the microphone is the future and present me. The second character represents my past as a native child with my dog Miangun and the path of healing I have taken to decolonize myself back to the Anishinaabe child I was born to be.

My mother is a residential school survivor and so was my father. I am no different than the 215 children found in Kamloops, B.C. I survived to tell you this story and share my experiences. My community is still here and so am I.

The Artist is from Nbiising or Nipissing First Nation, his traditional name is Manitou Nemeen (Spirit Dancing) and he is from the Miangun Dodem (Wolf Clan).

The orange background on the mural represents the missing/murdered Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island.

The mural was commissioned by TO Live

pillow fight 2022

Posted: April 3, 2022 in events, people
Tags: fighting, fun, laughing, nathan phillips square, people, pillow fight, pillows

The spring pillow fight at Nathan Phillips returned this year. It was a smaller turnout than in pre-covid times but there was still lots of energy and enthusiasm! Family fun too – all ages welcomed and included.

below: After the fighting, a pillow toss to celebrate.

generally Dundas, from McCaul to Augusta

Posted: March 26, 2022 in alleys, graffiti and street art, intersections, locations
Tags: AGO, alleys, anti war, Art Gallery of Ontario, Bellevue Park, Chinatown, Chinatown the Best, construction, Dundas West, graffiti, Jeremy Lynch, Jimmys Coffee, jumblefacefoto, Kensington, Krispy Kreme, lanes, Long Time No See, McCaul Street, OCADU, Our Lady Mount Carmel Church, pasteups, photography, portraits, Putin, Rosalie Sharp Pavilion, slaps, St. Patricks Church, stencils, stickers, T-bonez, urban ninja squadron, visual noise

Toronto is a city of surprises; a city of variety. If you are bored with one street, just walk another block or turn at the next intersection and chances are you’ll encounter something different. The scenery will change. For instance, on Dundas West you leave the downtown core just after University Ave., walk past OCADU, the Art Gallery of Ontario and Grange Park… next, through a section of Chinatown at Spadina and then immediately into the Kensington Market area. Just south of Kensington is the redevelopment of Alexandra Park…. and you’ve only walked a few blocks.

below: The newly renovated OCADU annex building on the southeast corner of Dundas and McCaul is now called the Rosalie Sharp Pavilion. The curve of the roof contrasts nicely with the sharp edges of the neighbouring buildings

below: The northeast corner of Dundas and McCaul is yet another hole in the ground. The Art Gallery of Ontario and Rosalie Sharp Pavilion are in the background. I am beginning to feel like a broken record player when I mention yet another condo construction site (tangent – is there a 21st century equivalent to “broken record player”?).

below: The demolition of the buildings on Dundas West opens up new views of St. Patricks RC Church.

below: Around the corner from St. Patricks, is Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and its bilingual signage and beautiful red door.

below: Krispy Kreme (yes, they still exist!) and Jimmys Coffee on McCaul in almost identical buildings. Like twins but with a dash of their own personality.

below: Thing 1 and Thing 2 running down the alley

below: …but not this alley. That’s a lot of stairs!

below: Each building has it’s own character from years of changes and modifications as people come and go. They may not be good looking but they are often unique – someone’s little piece of the city.

below: Front yard patio

below: Critters in the window

below: An old TTC streetcar loses its load. By the looks of it, this image will disappear once the ivy comes back to life in a few weeks.

below: Put together by the ‘Long Time No See Photo Project’, “Chinatown, the Best” is a collection of portraits that highlights seniors in the Chinatown area along with their thoughts and opinions on what makes Chinatown great.

below: The posters are on display over eight locations on Spadina and Dundas West.

Chinatown poster series on residents, in windows and door on Dundas

Left to right:
1. Come and work out in Chinatown.
2. Chinatown is my looking glass. Newcomers come thru finding support to enter Canada & I go back thru to understand where my ancestors and I come from. Keep Chinatown strong!
3. Chinatown is my ancestral village. In 1892 Great-Grandfather Charlie Yep laid down family roots in Montreal – but the early years of international racism gave way to self-loathing Kungfu? Chinesey food? Aiiyah!! Standing defiant in a martial arts pose is a testimony to overcoming my denial. I am Chinese-Quebecois Canadian. Au bout!
4. For making Chinatown the Best, Lily draws on her spiritual energy medicine knowledge to develop a healing relationship with the living landscape and its inhabitants to foster the restoration of the area’s sluggish energetic anatomy and amplify its vibrational health and wholeness.
5. deu say lin yeung im ah im duck!

below: In another Chinatown window is this display – pictures of food with four old black and white pictures.

below: The picture on the far right depicts Shanghai Bund and river waterfront so it is possible that the other photos are also of Shanghai? Or at least cities in China?

below: Another window with pictures – this time The Kensary, a cannabis store in Kensington.

below: A close up of part of the window showing Casa Loma, Roy Thomson Hall, Hughs Room, the El Mocambo, the Silver Dollar, Massey Hall, and gabled Victorian era houses

below: Hoardings on Spadina where a skeleton reaches out for passers-by.

below: Kensington view of the CN Tower

below: Facilities at Bellevue Park – more than just “all gender”

below: Wanted poster for Putin the war criminal

below: There’s at least one Maple Leafs fan left!

below: Jumblefacefoto collages

below: Alexandra Park redevelopment progresses. Dundas West is the northern edge of the 16 acre site owned by TCHC (Toronto Community Housing Corp). Most of the original units that were built in the 1960s are now gone.

below: Apparently it’s okay to be white. Actually it’s okay to be brown, or black, or any shade in between too.

below: Anarchist piano lessons?

below: “They say death takes you to a better place but I doubt it” Me? I’m in no hurry to find out.

snowy morning on Queen West

Posted: March 20, 2022 in alleys, graffiti and street art, landmarks, stores
Tags: alley, buildings, bus shelters, daisy, dolls, graffiti, Graffiti Alley, hoardings, Jeremy Lynch, jumblefacefoto, kode 905, kyara cabrera Fong, Life©️, lovebot, luvs, mannequins, murals, paint, pasteups, Poetaia, Queen West, Rush Lane, slaps, snow, Spadina, stickers, street art, streetcars, th!nk, TTC, uber5000, urban ninja squadron, visual noise, Windigo Army, winter

… and Graffiti Alley

below: Northeast corner of Spadina and Queen West

below: Mannequins on orange

below: Queen Street westbound approaching Bathurst

below: It’s always nice to see that there’s at least one Lovebot still hanging out in Graffiti Alley.

below: On the door, a jumblefacefoto collage

below: Reach out and touch someone

below: Open your eyes

below: Are you smiling? Are you happy?

below: Southeast corner, Queen & Niagara

below: Same intersection slightly later in the morning and from a slightly different angle

below: Windigo Army piece

below: A little orange character pasted to a pole; the work of kode_dipz aka Kyara Cabrera Fong

below: Because of the construction of a new condo at Richmond and Augusta there has been scaffolding in a section of Graffiti Alley. The other day some of it was being dismantled. This woman is more visible now but some of the bars remain.

below: Part of UBER5000’s Toronto mural.

below: By luvs – a woman and her dog, with duplicate vision

below: A properly worn mask…..

What is creepier? Dolls or mannequins?

below: Poetaia wants to know what you’re up to, wink, wink.

below: Peeling paper makes the gold words difficult to read

below: There’s a yellow eye and possibly a blue one too?

Ukraine Invaded

Posted: March 15, 2022 in graffiti and street art
Tags: bird, blue and yellow, Graffiti Alley, MAGA, MRGA, mr_tensoe2, Nick Sweetman, Putin, Rush Lane, spyone, TwiceBorn, Ukraine, war

Two new murals have appeared in Graffiti Alley and Rush Lane, both in reaction to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Putin’s Russia. First:

UPDATE: The above mural is a group effort. The bird, a nightingale, was painted by Nick Sweetman. That link should take you to an instagram post that describes the thinking behind the mural. It also lists mr_tensoe2, SpyOne, and TwiceBorn as the collaborators.

below: … and second, a painting that has already been scribbled on.

the lure of Craven Road

Posted: March 15, 2022 in locations
Tags: boots, clock, collage, Craven Road, fence, found objects, gallery, guitars, landscapes, masks, outdoors, paintings, shoes, toys

Here are a few photos from a recent visit to Craven Road, one of my favorite streets. The last time I posted about it was “Craven Road once more“, in May 2019. That’s almost three years! – it doesn’t seem like that long ago but then again I find that COVID has really messed with my sense of passing time. Anyhow, it’s always interesting to see what remains, what’s new, and what has just been rearranged.

below: Part of the fence