It seems like it’s been a long winter with more extended periods of colder temperatures as well as never ending snow. Last weekend was the first sign that maybe spring would arrive this year …. before the snow came back! Here are a few things that I saw on my walk last Sunday while out enjoying some warm sunshine.
below: A sign of the times; a sign for the coming spring.
below: There is still a large parking lot on the corner of Rees and Queens Quay. It may be the last piece of undeveloped property along this part of the waterfront.
below: Clearing away the piles of snow.
below: The skating rink beside the Power Plant is melting quickly. The designs painted on the concrete below provide a bright contrast to the towers of glass and steel nearby.
below: Same spot as above but this time looking northwest.
below: On the south wall of The Power Plant, a large image of the artist, Sasha Huber, on top of a Swiss mountain.
“Rentyhorn” (2008) is part of a campaign to rename Agassizhorn, a Swiss mountain peak. Louis Agassiz (1807-1873) was a Swiss glaciologist who became convinced that Blacks were an inferior species and that he could prove it. Renty was an enslaved woman who was one of a group forcibly photographed by Agassiz in his attempt to prove his theory. There is more of this story, and more of Huber’s work, on display in the gallery.
below: Reflections and distortions in the windows of The Power Plant.
below: Queens Quay
below: “Compartment Earth” in the lobby of RBC WaterPark Place building on Queens Quay. It is 16,000 pounds of stainless steel; a sculpture by American artist Roxy Paine.
below: Work continues on the park, Love Park, that replaces the old York Street exit ramp from the Gardiner Expressway.
below: Esmaa Mohamoud‘s large image titled: ” The Brotherhood FUBU (For Us, By Us)” covers 37 x 144 feet (or 11 x 44 metres).
below: Looking up to the blue sky.
below: Part art, part health, this is “Visoleil” in the lobby of the new CIBC Square. A glowing circle of light to lift the spirits during the grey of a Toronto winter. I went on a Sunday and the doors were locked so I couldn’t get closer. Unfortunately, it’s probably gone by now as it was scheduled to be removed on 11th March.
below: Also at CIBC Square, “Light Stolen from the Sun” by Steve Driscoll. This new CIBC building on (by the new GO Station and across from Union Station) has been under construction for a few years now. It isn’t quite finished.
below: Looking through the front window you can catch a glimpse of this magnificent piece of backlit glass. Apparently there are twelve. This is something that I am definitely going to come back to see!
below: Street closed. Construction.
below: More construction, King and John.
below: Development notice on Crocodile Rock… yikes, 68 storeys proposed at Adelaide and Duncan.
below: Northeast corner of Adelaide and Duncan
below: Hoardings on Lower Simcoe street – “A Stroll Through the City” by Camilla Teodoro
below: Looking west on Front Street from Bay with Union Station, CN Tower, Royal Bank building, and the Royal York Hotel.
below: In Simcoe Park (Front Street), there is an aluminium sculpture by British artist Anish Kapoor. It was installed in 1995.
below: Outside Metro Hall, a banner promoting COVID-19 vaccination in kids.
below: Snarky graffiti – “It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance.”
below: Signs on traffic construction cones
below: Protest posters and graffiti. Anti condo development & corrupt landlords. Mercury contamination of water.
as I walk Toronto 