I love these! There is something incredibly adorable about the characters in this sculpture.
Immigrant Family, a work by New York sculptor Tom Otterness, sits outside the Lanterra condos at 18 Yonge Street. The 10-foot high bronze work was unveiled in 2007.
Selected through an international public art competition, Otterness’ work recalls the experience of visitors and new immigrants to Canada, capturing their sense of wonder at seeing the city and Lake Ontario, while bringing them close together as they embark on their new life.
I think it is a good purpose of public art that it sort of honours being a newcomer in the country and acknowledges it is an important role to play in the society.
The Church of the Redeemer, at 162 Bloor Street West, sits at the very busy intersection of Bloor Street West and Avenue Road. This Anglican Church was founded in 1871 and opened its doors at this site on June 15, 1879. At that time the area was still on the fringe of the city (hard to imagine now…). The Church’s architectural style is Gothic Revival.
The Church of the Redeemer is known for its progressive stance on social issues, especially gay rights. In 1998, the congregation published An Honourable Estate: Same Sex Unions and the Church, advocating the blessing of same-sex unions. The parish uses exclusively the Book of Alternative Services.
From time to time the church also hosts a range of musical events and concerts. I remember seeing singer-songwriter Gary Jules here several years ago and thinking what a cool venue it was for a concert.
I love the stately and dignified architecture of this building. The condos/offices behind the Church wrap around the building, hugging it; a great contrast of old and new.
“The walls were covered with rubble stone from the Credit Valley, near Georgetown. The term rubble stone means that the stones were the rubble that remained after stones were cut in the quarry. They were irregular in shape and their sizes varied. However, though rough in texture and inexpensive, they created a pleasing effect when assembled on the church walls. Ohio sandstone was imported for the stone ornamentation and the trim around the windows of the church. The interior walls were of white and red bricks, enhanced by including geometric patterns. The support columns in the interior were constructed of polished granite from the Bay of Fundy area.”1
The Church underwent major renovations in the 1980s. At that time the parish hall on the north side of the Church was sold; because of this the Church lacked sufficient space for offices and meetings. The problem was solved by raising a section of the floor of the Church to expand the basement level. Pews were removed from the raised section at the rear of the nave and replaced with chairs, as you see here:
Remembrance Day was first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth and was originally called Armistice Day to commemorate the armistice agreement that ended the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11:00 AM.
Until 1930, Armistice Day was held on the Monday of the week in which November 11th fell. In 1931 a bill was introduced to observe Armistice Day only on November 11, and to change its name to Remembrance Day. The first Remembrance Day was observed on November 11, 1931.
By remembering the service and sacrifice of Canadians who served, we recognize the freedom that they fought to preserve. We must remember.
Here are monuments and people from past Remembrance Days in Toronto.
Old City Hall
Originally built after World War I to commemorate Torontonians who lost their lives in services for Canada, the memorial also commemorates those who died in World War II and the Korean War. It was modelled on The Cenotaph at Whitehall in London, England, constructed using granite cut from the Canadian Shield, and unveiled on November 11, 1925.
East York Civic Centre
The East York Cenotaph reads:
Since the earliest crusade, men and women have suffered in the throes of war, not for personal gain or glory, but for the preservation of an ideal that righteous freedom might be realised as a reward to all mankind.
Thus we the Citizens of East York erect this symbol to commemorate throughout the years those who laid down their lives or were incapacitated serving the cause of such freedom in the victorious wars of 1914-1918, 1939-1945, Korea 1950-1953.
Pray that the Crusade is now ended in eternal peace.
Fort York National Historic Site
Beginning at the Strachan Avenue Military Burial Ground on Garrison Common, a procession led by period-uniformed staff and standard bearers of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire made its way to the old cemetery at the west end of the Common. At the eleventh hour, all soldiers of the Toronto Garrison who fell in the defence of Canada, here and around the world, from 1812 to the present, were remembered and honoured.
College Park
This installation is a tribute to all who have sacrificed their lives for us throughout history. The individuals here remind us that these heroes came from different backgrounds and cultures; and gave up their freedom so that we can have ours.
This is an installation by the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area.
In front of Manulife’s headquarters at 200 Bloor Street East, there is currently a display honouring Canadian Armed Forces members who made the ultimate sacrifice. As a gesture of thanks and remembrance, more than 12,000 flags are planted on the front lawn of Manulife’s headquarters. Each flag represents 10 members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have fallen in service.
This display is up from November 2 to November 11, 2022. The gates to the Manulife courtyard are open from 7:00AM to 6:00PM, so you can wander the lawn and take this in during those times.
More information can be found on Manulife’s website here.
Sculptor Shayne Dark, a Kingston native, has three sculptures which dot Toronto’s downtown condo landscape.
I. Double Vision
Double Vision is located on the northwest corner of Jarvis and Charles streets in front of X Condominium at 558 Jarvis Street. The huge red poles jutting out of the sidewalk bring to mind bamboo shoots.
II. Double Take
Just across the street, at 101 Charles Street East in front of The X’s younger sister building X2, sits Double Take. It is characterized by the same monumental poles, but this time they are slightly slanted toward Double Vision as if the two pieces are communicating. You have to be careful when you come out of Rabba at this site, as you could potentially brain yourself or take one of these in the eye… not the best way to appreciate the artwork.
It’s an interesting project because there’s a dialogue between the two pieces across the road from one another. You’ve got the red vertical sticks, then you’ve got the blue horizontal ones and it sets up a dynamic and creates a threshold. They are engaging both in their own right and also with one another. They engage in an interesting artistic and architectural discussion,
Brad Golden, a Toronto public art consultant whose job it is to partner with developers and organizations to help them figure out what kind of art would work for their space.
III. Nova
Shayne Dark’s third condo-based sculpture, Nova, is located at the Tableau Condominium at 125 Peter Street. The piece is completely incorporated into the structure of the building.
“Nova” photo by UrbanToronto
Shayne Dark’s Inspiration For The Pieces
Initially, we’d walk in the forest or along the lakeshore and I’d find these interesting found objects, like a big pile of sticks and pieces of driftwood, and these became my art practice. I think for any artist, where you live is so important. Being Canadian at this point in history, on this day, in this time is an experience and feeling I want to document. I feel where you’re from can not help but influence every artist’s practice to some degree.
The “One Percent Solution”
“Under Section 37 of Ontario’s Planning Act, developers are allowed to have taller buildings or more units and other such concessions in exchange for putting a minimum of one per cent of the project’s construction costs toward public art. The art can either be on-site, on city property nearby, or a combination of both. The guidelines set out by the program ensure that the art is of public benefit and is also visible, accessible and adds to the urban character of the city in a positive way.
Financial investment is a huge factor for anyone who makes their living as a sculptor. Shayne Dark, the artist, says it costs literally tens of thousands of dollars to manufacture the materials necessary to make those big public art projects you might see as part of a condominium development.
‘Those jobs in Canada are few and far between. But luckily, what ended up happening in a few major Canadian cities was this one percent rule where if you were a developer working on a public building, a portion of the construction costs would actually go to art,’ says Shayne Dark”.1
At 1033 Bay Street, there stands this bronze, marble and mosaic monolith. It was designed by Hamilton-based artist Robert Bowers and installed in 1988 as part of the Polo Club condominium complexes that went up at that time on Bay Street.
With all due respect to the artist, I think this thing is Plain Butt Ugly and the face in the circle simply gives me the creeps. The shallow, sad, empty pool with raised and dislodged tiles surrounding the piece is not doing it any favours either.
Flow Blue is created by artist Marlene Hilton Moore. Located at the Encore Condo at 23 Carlton Street, this treed walkway leads from the condo entrance to neighbouring Granby Street. The blue trees were installed in 2008 and are 17 feet high. The design was inspired by the numerous trees on nearby Granby Street.
By night the vault of the Archway is illuminated with blue LED lights, simulating the sky. I have no shots of that, unfortunately… time for another visit – nighttime next time around.
Passing through Union Station last week I noticed a new (to me) installation. Do Something, is a project Gord Downie launched before his death.
A Bit Of The Backstory
Chanie Wenjack
Chanie Wenjack, misnamed Charlie Wenjack by his teachers, was an Anishinaabe boy born in Ogoki Post on the Marten Falls Reserve on January 19th, 1954. Chanie’s story, tragically, is like so many stories of Indigenous children in this country; he fell victim to Canada’s colonization of Indigenous Peoples.
In 1963, at the age of nine, Chanie was sent to the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential school in Kenora, Ontario. In 1966, at 12-years old, Chanie ran away from Cecilia Jeffrey, attempting to reunite with his family 600 kilometers away in Ogoki Post. Nine others ran away that same day, all but Chanie were caught within 24 hours.
Chanie’s body was found beside the railway tracks on October 22, 1966, a week after he fled. He succumbed to starvation and exposure. In his pocket was nothing but a little glass jar with seven wooden matches.
Chanie haunts me. His story is Canada’s story. This is about Canada. We are not the country we thought we were. History will be re-written.
Gord Downie
Gord Downie
Gord Downie was the lead singer, songwriter and driving creative force behind The Tragically Hip, who brought their energetic, live performances to audiences around the world for over three decades. The group released their first album, The Tragically Hip, in 1987 and have since released thirteen studio albums, including their final album, Man Machine Poem (2016). Gord also enjoyed a career as a solo artist. He released six albums, including Secret Path.
Gord directed music videos, narrated the Waterlife and National Parks Project documentaries, and appeared in a number of films including director Michael McGowan’s One Week and director Mike Clattenburg’s Trailer Park Boys: The Movie. In 2014, Gord and his brothers, Mike and Patrick, along with Patrick Sambrook, started the production company Edgarland Films.
In August of 2016, Gord asked all Canadians to look at the state of Indigenous-settler relations in this country and to “Do Something” to change them for the better. In December of 2016, Gord was given the Lakota Spirit Name, Wicapi Omani, which can be translated as “Man who walks among the stars” for his reconciliACTIONs.
Full info about the The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund can be found here.
Gord’s Legacy
In October of 2017, Gord Downie passed away with his children and family close by. His legacy, messages of hope, and powerful calls to action live on. Gord has dedicated his legacy to creating lasting, positive change in Canada; we are committed to making Gord proud as he begins to walk down this new path in his journey.
The description beside two of Gord’s portraits in the installation reads:
This project is an expansion of Union Station’s long-term partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, which focuses on building awareness, education, and connections between all peoples in Canada and our shared path toward reconciliation.
I came upon this by accident with a friend when it was under construction. At the time we said we…