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)

 .

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.

First World War uniform

 

Location: 426 University Avenue

Date photo taken: 8 November 2018

Did you know that Toronto has literally dozens of museums? As today is International Museum Day, I thought I'd feature an exhibit from one that is perhaps lesser known. This is an Artillery Dress Uniform on display at the Royal Canadian Military Institute Museum (RCMI) on University Avenue. RCMI is an independent member-supported organization but their museum is open to the public, by donation, and tours can be arranged on request. Their collection has over 12,000 artifacts and archival materials, including the seat from World War I flying ace Baron von Richthofen's plane, making it one of the largest museums of military history in Canada. 

Purple cat

 

Location: Laneway near Davenport and Uxbridge

Date photo taken: 7 December 2022

For today, a splash of colour. This kitty is part of a larger wall featuring the work of three different artists. This is by Jieun (June) Kim and while this picture doesn't do the colours justice, it gives you an idea of her glorious, trippy style. 

Metropolitan Apartments

 

Location: 89 Queen Street East, just east of Church

Date photo taken: 14 July 2021

The Metropolitan Apartments, located on Queen Street where it meets Dalhousie running north, opened around 1910. Built with 15 apartments, it replaced several earlier wooden structures that housed businesses including two barbers, a shoemakers and book shop. Now this location is about to undergo some serious densification. A proposal has been submitted to build a 701 unit condo tower on a parcel including this property and several others fronting on Church Street. The intention is to maintain this structure as part of the podium of the new 60 storey building. I don't think this development has a name yet, but I think that something starting with R should be given serious consideration. For reasons I have been unable to discover, the keystone on the arch above the door features a small carved R .