‘Straying Continents’ is a large hanging artwork that is on display at the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum). The artist, El Anatsui, constructed it out of aluminum and copper wire in 2010.
Thousands of recycled aluminum liquor bottle caps of different colours were cut and shaped (twisted or flattened) and sewn together with copper wire. In some places the caps are flat and tightly packed while in other places they are twisted into rope-like pieces and loosely woven into the design.
below: The grey in the bottom part of the picture is the wall showing through. The lighting also creates shadows within the artwork.
Viewed as a whole, it is a fascinating piece. It does look like two continents separated by an ocean. At the same time, innumerable interesting compositions can also be found by looking at it in sections.
below: The piece doesn’t hang straight which creates folds, shadows, and more interest.
below: It also provides material to play with.
as I walk Toronto 