You're like, really pretty

 

Location: Distillery District

Date photo taken: 19 June 2023

Over the last few years, bit by bit, the nighttime city has been getting brighter and more colourful thanks to a proliferation of neon-style LED signs. Once a more rarified being, neon signs used to be a beacon for those looking for the it place to be, but the new technology makes them decidedly more attainable and as a result, much more common. Now you're as likely to see one at your local coffee shop or ice cream parlour as you are at the latest hot spot. This one is outside Miss J Lash Lounge in the Distillery.

Ship in a bottle

 

Location: Marie Curtis Park

Date photo taken: 5 September 2021

There's a small building tucked away in a corner of Marie Curtis Park, near the Lake Promenade entrance. Once upon a time it probably blended into the scenery, but now its hard to miss thanks to four large, vibrant murals created by local graffiti artist Luvsumone in 2016. All four images draw inspiration from the lakeside location and I just love the twist put on this one. For me, the dark silhouette of the ship is almost ominous, but then the colours pull me back to happy.

Careful Infrastructures for Reassembled Lands (No.2)

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Location: Waterfront promenade

Date photo taken: 22 October 2022

In 2022 Waterfront Toronto and the Waterfront BIA announced the appointment of Lisa Hirmer as their new artist-in-residence. Her mandate was to "create meaningful, experiential encounters with the community, activate underutilized spaces along the lakefront, and draw new audiences to the waterfront." One theme of the residency was climate change. Hirmer took the opportunity to collaborate with writers to create a sign project for the waterfront promenade and this is one of the resulting pieces. This particular text is by Sangamithra Iyer and it was fabriated by Ocel Metal Fabrication.

Laneway garage mural

 

Location: Jefferys Lane

Date photo taken: 1 June 2023  

Walking Toronto's laneways, you never know what you're going to find. A pick-up basketball game maybe, or a gorgeous lilac in full bloom. Or a garage covered by a lovely mural. This is the work of Kingston, Ontario born artist Oriah Scott.