City People

Location: Beside the RBC building, Front and Bay
Date photo taken: 3 November 2012

I think the selection of this image was definitely influenced by a slight case of cabin fever. I have been avoiding going out lately. Even my short morning walks were forsaken a few weeks ago because in my neighbourhood, there are just too many people to dodge around. And yet, I am still drawn to people. I especially like to stand on my balcony and watch people walk their dogs. There is a terrier in my building and his morning walk is easily the highlight of my day.

Enough about me. This piece is called City People and it's by the American artist Catherine Widgery. It's an early public work for her and it varies quite significantly from her more recent installations, which is perhaps why it has been excluded from the catalogue featured on her website. I love these figures however. They are basically to scale and just so normal. And despite having been installed in 1989, they are just vague enough to remain timeless. There is extra charm to viewing them in person, as a few are on poles and change their routines based on the wind.