Gust

Location: Brookfield Place

Date photo taken: 17 December 2014

These illuminated snowflakes are part of a large, two-part art installation which is currently gracing the Allen Lambert Galleria and the lobbies of Brookfield Place. According to the posted signage, Gust "is inspired by the architectural motif of the Allen Lambert Galleria, the geometry of a single snowflake, and the falling of snow through a gentle breeze." The other piece, Frost, is a 20 foot tall snowflake which visitors are encouraged to touch and interact with. 

Thanks to Arts Brookfield for making the Galleria and Brookfield Place a great destination for art in the city.

Greektown Christmas

Location: Alexander the Great Parkette, Danforth and Logan

Date photo taken: 2 December 2014

Happy holidays!!

Holiday Moose

Location: North side of Scotia Plaza Tower, on Adelaide just east of Bay

Date photo taken: 16 December 2014

Moose have come back to the city, and these ones have retained their antlers. Done in beautiful white lights to match the hanging ornaments, this bull and calf sit outdoors on the north side of Scotia Plaza. Inside the building, the holiday theme is continued with more decorations and a series of festive free concerts. 

Polar Bear and Walrus

Location: HSBC Bank of Canada building, 70 York St.

Date photo taken: 3 April 2014

If you're wandering PATH trying to avoid the weather, you might run across these figures. They are part of a group installation featuring five large pieces, all carved from Baffin Island rock. The polar bear is white marble and was created by Philip Pitseolak from Pond Inlet. The walrus is carved from gneiss, a granite-like stone, with marble tusks and it was carved by Taqialuk Nuna from Cape Dorset. Together with the other three pieces they represent figures from the legend of Sedna, but more about that in another post.

The work was commissioned by the Royal Trust Company in 1990 and installed the following year.

Christmas Mailbox

Location: University Ave. at Dundas St.

Date photo taken: 2 December 2014

Canada Post has exchanged the familiar red of some of its mailboxes for a more festive look. The temporary wrap features the three Santa stamps which have been released in time for Christmas mailings. The stamps were created by two award-winning Quebec women, designer Hélène L’Heureux and illustrator Christiane Beauregard.

Nice as they are, if you're mailing a letter to Santa, you don't need a stamp. According to their website, Canada Post receives well over a million letters addressed to Santa each year, and has 9000 postal elves helping the big man get his responses out in time for Christmas. If you would like a response to your letter, you must pop it in the box by December 16 and be sure to include a return address. If you have kids who need a little help with their letters, Canada Post has templates on their website available for download.

Senator Restaurant Mural

Location: South-facing wall of the Senator Restaurant, Victoria St south of Dundas
Date photo taken: 19 August 2014
Image 15 in the Mural Series

This large mural on the Senator Restaurant is a marketing piece that pre-dates Toronto's recent infatuation with civically-funded mural projects. It was painted by Bill Wrigley, who launched Wrigley Designs back in 1980. This mural was done in 1987, making it over 25 years old. It's stood up very well and I happen to think the overall weathering and muting of the colours suit the vintage design. If you want to see what it looked like back when it was freshly done, visit Wrigley's website.

Fowl Play

Location: On the west-facing wall of Birds and Beans Café, 2413 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
Date photo taken: 10 May 2014
Image 14 in the Mural Series

This mural is part of a project by Lakeshore Arts, in partnership with Mimico-by-the-Lake BIA and other partners, to bring some colour and beauty to their neighbourhood. Their proximity to the lake supplied the theme - all of their projects will feature water in some way. I love the unique vantage point chosen for this mural, and the feel of the underwater scene is beautifully rendered. The view of the goose -  or duck perhaps? - adds some whimsy. I love how the tree in foreground blends right in.

The mural was painted by artists Patrick Thompson and Alexa Hatanaka, and it is yet another mural project sponsored by StreetARToronto. It was unveiled in September 2013.