July 2017 - Toronto ON
I've mentioned I've become obsessed with Toronto Sculpture since I bought the book Creating Memory.
I already had photos of some pieces and I am actively seeking out other works as I wander.
These are in the Union Station area, around Front St. and between York and Bay.
In front of Union right on Front and often referred to as “Symbol of Multiculturalism”, “Monument to Multiculturalism” by Francesco Perilli,was unveiled on July 1st, 1985.
About the statue itself, Perilli writes:
“I conceived the monument to be cast in bronze, and, stylistically, in a postmodern vein. It represents a man who, at the center of the globe, joins two meridians; while the remaining meridians are held aloft by doves, a peace symbol in themselves. Moreover, the doves are symbolically meant to represent the cultural vitality of the people who, with the man, construct a new world, under the banner of dialogue and mutual respect.
A part of the inscription on the side of the statue reads “This monument, a tribute to multiculturalism, was presented to the city of Toronto on the occasion of its sesquicentennial by the national congress of Italian Canadians on behalf of the Italian Canadian Community.”
Also close by is the Union Station clock with letters spelling Union Station replacing the numbers.
I'm behind Union Station, on Bremner St. for the next two.
You can't miss this one!
The three-column steel sculpture Search Light, Star Light, Spot Light, is inspired by a quote from author Louis Untermeyer, (1885-1977): “God, if you wish for our love, Fling us a handful of stars.”
On December 16, 1998 the conical work titled Search Light, Star Light, Spot Light was unveiled at Air Canada Centre. The artist is John McEwen, sculptor of the steel.
The surface of each column has been extensively perforated with holes in the shape of five-pointed stars that glow when lit from within like celestial search beacons in the night. The effect is most immediately associated with the search beams that call attention to entertainment spectacles such as those that take place in the adjacent Air Canada Centre. Further, the telescopic shape of the columns and the starry lights suggest a connection between the earth and sky; between the infinite cosmos and the depth of the human imagination.
A fw feet away is the next one.
Air Canada Centre or ACC is where the Raptors play basketball and the Maple Leafs play hockey.
I've shown this one often in other contexts.
Known as Legends' Row it reminds fans of the glory days of the Maple Leafs.
Ted Kennedy, Darryl Sittler, Johnny Bower, Borje Salming, George Armstrong, Syl Apps, Mats Sundin, Dave Keon, Turk Broda and Tim Horton
Four more will be joining them this year. Wendel Clark, Frank Mahovlich, Red Kelly and Charlie Conacher then the bench will be full.
Sticking with ACC and hockey I found Wins Losses Ties.
I found the plaque last week and was puzzled where the sculpture was. I should have googled it then and there, but the space was empty so I never thought to look up or for that matter, down!!!
Not being a hockey fan, I know, so unCanadian!! I never thought about the fact that that banners and pennants are hung from the rafters of sports arenas.
When I went back and looked up (thank you Google) in front of 40 Bay Street, you will see dozens of stainless steel pipes hanging down. It looks like a pipe organ! Hey, and they used to be played at hockey games, too!!!
The pipes are of different lengths, from very short to very long. There are three rows of pipes in each of the seven separate sections.
"Wins/Losses/Ties
Micah Lexier, 1999
Wins/Losses/Ties is specifically linked to its site at the Air Canada Centre, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey club, and is a tribute to their previous home, Maple Leaf Gardens, as well as their enduring legacy.
The work consists of a group of 201 hanging stainless steel columns and seven inlaid granite sidewalk panels. In keeping with the spirit of this artist’s usual approach, the formal characteristics of these elements are determined by statistical information. In this case three steel columns depicting their record of wins, losses and ties represent the 67 seasons played at Maple Leaf Gardens. The columns are grouped by decade and extend downward for a length proportional to the related statistic, which is noted on the bottom of each column.
The sidewalk panels record additional information such as the years that the Leafs won the Stanley Cup.
The inlaid sidewalk panels are very hard to read, in fact, I almost missed them as well.
