Taber Hill Memorial

Location: Bellamy Rd north of Lawrence Ave.
Date photo taken: 18 February 2017

This small, unassuming little hill near Markham Road and Lawrence is the resting place of over 500 individuals. It is a Huron/Wendat burial mound. It was discovered in 1956 when construction equipment was brought in to level the site. When bones were uncovered, experts were brought in to evaluate the site. It was determined that the skeletons were buried in a ritual manner consistent with the Wendat Feast of Souls. Walter Kenyon, who supervised an archaeological examination of the site, described it as "the most significant ethnological discovery in Canada's history." The site was quickly designated as a historical site and the bones were re-interred. Representatives of the Iroquois Six Nations were invited to supervise an Iroquois Feast of the Dead reburial ceremony which took place over three days. In 1961, a memorial was placed at the top of the mound, to inform visitors of the significance of the site.

Toronto Light Fest

Location: Distillery District
Date photo taken: 23 January 2018

The Toronto Light Fest is back for its second year. From now until March 4th the Distillery District is home to over 30 light art installations. Some, like this one, have a message. Others are pure fancy. Like the candy-coloured pyramid made from gummy bears. Or the circle of birds that fly with you while you run. Picking a favourite seems silly, but if I had to, it would probably be the giant dandelion puffs transformed by coloured lights into a fireworks display.

Bloordale Village

Location: Brock Ave. and Bloor St. W.
Date photo taken: 9 June 2014

Bloordale Village is a bit different than most of the neighbourhoods featured so far on NeaTO. It refers to the stretch of Bloor Street between Lansdowne and Dufferin. To the north is Wallace Emerson and to the south is Brockton Village. In between sits Bloor and, like the areas around it, it's in the midst of a transformation. The House of Lancaster Gentleman's Club, Salvation Army and variety stores now sit side by side with art galleries, vinyl stores, and microbreweries. To follow what's new in the area, check out the Bloordale Village BIA's Facebook page.

Bike Plants - Part 2

Location: Gatineau Hydro Corridor, Bellamy Rd. N. south of Brimorton
Date photo taken: 18 February 2017

Sprouting from the snow, three more bike plants (two were featured in an earlier post). Like all good design, these bike racks are both beautiful and functional. The divided segments provide multiple locking points which accommodate various heights, angles and types of locks. The flat profile also provides stability for bikes leaned against them. These were installed along the cycle path through the Gatineau Hydro Corridor in Scarborough in 2012.

Zen West

Location: St. Michael's College grounds, NW corner of Bay and St. Joseph St.
Date photo taken: 24 September 2013

This precarious looking sculpture is the work of Kosso Eloul. It was created as an edition of two, and its twin can be found in Tokyo, Japan. While simplicity and geometry are hallmarks of his work, this  idea of duality is one that he also acknowledges as an influence. "In Canada, every outdoor sculpture is a twin. I am keenly aware of this duality. I study it and count on it when I conceive my works... It's solid, it's there, but it's never the same. Not only does it change moods with that of the viewer, but it also changes appearance with the passing of the day, the changing shadows.... And so, my sculptures have a distinct and refreshingly different personality, a different meaning in the white of winter to that of the colours of summer." Quote from "Celebrating With Sculpture", a 1991 exhibit catalogue.