TO Cityscapes

Toronto Through My Lens

Tag: WellingtonStW

In & Around Portland Street

July 23, 2023 / / 1 Comment

On my way to photograph Victoria Memorial Square (stay tuned for a future post on that) I passed through the Portland Street and Wellington Street West area. Here’s a bit of what I encountered:

Nice bike!
Adelaide Street West, just east of Bathurst Street
More condos!
Just south of Richmond Street West. Condos are going up all around this site, hence the message on the painting: “The last inhabited house on this street”.

I found this graffiti and artwork in an alley behind Portland Street, south of Richmond Street West. Lots of colour here:

Interesting white flowers
Ruby Soho patio on Portland Street, just south of King Street West
The Happy Sundae
85 Portland Street. Lots of colour and ice cream here. Next time, I’m stopping for a sample!
Mural
On Portland Street south of King Street West

Clarence Square
On the corner of Wellington Street West and Spadina Avenue

Houses on Clarence Square
Charming houses on the Square
Mascot
Outside The Soho Hotel & Residences, 318 Wellington Street West
“Pas de Trois” (1984) by Russell K. Jacques
In front of office tower at 70 University Avenue, corner of Wellington Street West
Jump Restaurant & Bar
18 Wellington Street West. Love the spring!
That’s it for now… thanks for joining me on this little walkabout!

“Pi”

July 13, 2023 / / 1 Comment

Last week I happened across a curious piece found at 220 Bay Street, nestled in a passageway behind the TD Centre off Wellington Street West. Created by Canadian artist Evan Penny, this large sculpture – entitled Pi – is of a man’s head which has been cut into four pieces. The pieces are cut at ninety degree angles with straight lines which are in sharp contrast to the roundness of the outside of the head and the features of the face. The tallest piece measures approximately four feet high.

The features of the man’s face are very strong but they show little expression as if he is lost in thought and the fact that his head has been turned into a puzzle has not registered.

The bronze is a deep green colour which gives this sculpture a warm complexion.

This sculpture has been in place since 1996. I am amazed I had not come across this work until just recently; it resides in kind of a hidden pocket in the King/Bay area so that may explain it.

“Fair Grounds”

July 9, 2023 / / 2 Comments

Fair Grounds (2001-2003) is a work by Canadian artist Michel Goulet. It is comprised of two parts, a part residing on each side of the main entrance to the Icon II condo at 250 Wellington Street West.

Part 1: The Ribbons

Colourful ribbons recall the tradition of tying a ribbon around one’s finger or around a cherished object as a reminder to oneself to remember, or as a call for hope or a happy ending.

Part 2: The Chairs

Eight chairs, each unique in their period and style, are arranged in pairs to simulate different relationships between two people when they meet on equal terms.

While these two parts stand their own ground, they also trigger a reading that connects them, expanding the dialogue to a further dimension. The chairs are an invitation to take a seat with others or in the absence of others, while the ribbon colours intertwine with hopes or dreams and keep wishes, promises and memories alive.

The sculpture is made of stainless steel and painted aluminum, and was commissioned by Tridel & the Dorsay Development Corporation for the 2003 completion of the Icon II condominium complex.

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