Gust

Location: Brookfield Place

Date photo taken: 17 December 2014

These illuminated snowflakes are part of a large, two-part art installation which is currently gracing the Allen Lambert Galleria and the lobbies of Brookfield Place. According to the posted signage, Gust "is inspired by the architectural motif of the Allen Lambert Galleria, the geometry of a single snowflake, and the falling of snow through a gentle breeze." The other piece, Frost, is a 20 foot tall snowflake which visitors are encouraged to touch and interact with. 

Thanks to Arts Brookfield for making the Galleria and Brookfield Place a great destination for art in the city.

Greektown Christmas

Location: Alexander the Great Parkette, Danforth and Logan

Date photo taken: 2 December 2014

Happy holidays!!

Holiday Moose

Location: North side of Scotia Plaza Tower, on Adelaide just east of Bay

Date photo taken: 16 December 2014

Moose have come back to the city, and these ones have retained their antlers. Done in beautiful white lights to match the hanging ornaments, this bull and calf sit outdoors on the north side of Scotia Plaza. Inside the building, the holiday theme is continued with more decorations and a series of festive free concerts. 

Polar Bear and Walrus

Location: HSBC Bank of Canada building, 70 York St.

Date photo taken: 3 April 2014

If you're wandering PATH trying to avoid the weather, you might run across these figures. They are part of a group installation featuring five large pieces, all carved from Baffin Island rock. The polar bear is white marble and was created by Philip Pitseolak from Pond Inlet. The walrus is carved from gneiss, a granite-like stone, with marble tusks and it was carved by Taqialuk Nuna from Cape Dorset. Together with the other three pieces they represent figures from the legend of Sedna, but more about that in another post.

The work was commissioned by the Royal Trust Company in 1990 and installed the following year.

Christmas Mailbox

Location: University Ave. at Dundas St.

Date photo taken: 2 December 2014

Canada Post has exchanged the familiar red of some of its mailboxes for a more festive look. The temporary wrap features the three Santa stamps which have been released in time for Christmas mailings. The stamps were created by two award-winning Quebec women, designer Hélène L’Heureux and illustrator Christiane Beauregard.

Nice as they are, if you're mailing a letter to Santa, you don't need a stamp. According to their website, Canada Post receives well over a million letters addressed to Santa each year, and has 9000 postal elves helping the big man get his responses out in time for Christmas. If you would like a response to your letter, you must pop it in the box by December 16 and be sure to include a return address. If you have kids who need a little help with their letters, Canada Post has templates on their website available for download.