10 Oct 2024

East Point Pavilion

Wall made of corten steel, laser cut with a pattern of swarming birds, text underneath


Location: East Point Park
Date photo taken: 4 February 2024

This structure is part of a viewing pavilion designed to enhance the bird watching experience in East Point Park. According to the City's website, the park, which is located atop the Scarborough Bluffs, is a migratory staging area for monarch butterflies and over 178 species of birds. As part of an initiative to enhance and protect bird habitat within its borders, the City has designated the eastern portion of the park as a bird sanctuary. The design of this weathered steel wall reflects that. It is laser cut with a swarm of tiny birds, below which are included the common and scientific names of many of the birds that can be spotted in the park. The pavilions and other improvements to the site were the work of PLANT Architect Inc. and their work won them a Toronto Urban Design Award. In creating the site, they took pains to disturb as little as possible, including routing the paths through the park to minimize tree destruction and timing construction around the nesting seasons of local birds. 

3 Oct 2024

Hugman

 Man-shaped figure made from bright green Lego, positioned in an indoor garden, hugging a metal pillar


Location: The PATH, Exchange Tower
Date photo taken: 8 September 2024

If you've been in the Financial District in the last few weeks, you might have noticed a bit of a quiet invasion. Scattered inside and out, across several properties, are a number of Hugman sculptures. These crude human figures, which range from pint-sized to roughly adult height, are the work of Nathan Sawaya, an American artist, and they are made completely out of Lego. What started out as a street art project in New York has now spread to cities around the world. Brookfield Properties is responsible for bringing Hugman to Canada, first to Calgary, and now most recently, to Toronto. While to some eyes the tree-hugging stance may evoke thoughts of protest, Hugman just likes to hug. According to signage, the series was inspired by the simple idea of embracing others.