Sidewalk Art

After reading an article about this local artist, I started thinking that I could watch out for "Sidewalk Art", while being a flaneur, this year.

According to Spacing magazine,” Victor Fraser has been changing the face of Toronto’s downtown sidewalks for over 20 years”. 
Most of his works have been in chalk; but some have been a little more permanent. 
An example of his painting can be seen at the corner of Richmond and Spadina. There is a sculpture there that was installed back in 1997.

In 2006 Victor painted a 25 metre long tape measure alongside the thimble. It was removed once, but re-appeared again. 
To the best of my knowledge, it is still there. 

Another permanent piece of art is at the end of Chesterhill Road (a lookout spot), where he has painted a zodiac in this cul-de-sac.

I will be searching for more sidewalk art in the near future, and will post some under a new label.

Ice

Yesterday Marcia and I visited the AGO to view the current exhibit.... "The Great Upheaval".

There were paintings by Matisse, Picasso and Modigliani, to name a few, and all were done in an era from 1910 to 1918. 

We were taken through the time period before the First World War, during the war, and after it. The effect was to show the differences in the mood of the artists as they lived through this upheaval in Europe.

I like most of the art work, but have limited patience for being in art galleries.

Afterwards, we retired to a cafe across the street (Espresso Etc). I always have found the houses on this block of Dundas Street to be wondeful examples of some Victorian homes.

The constant freezing and warming over the past few days has created some special ice sculptures that needed to be caught and published.

 

This, of course, is not on Dundas, but on the corner of Church and Maitland.

Soon the renos will be done, and patio season will be upon us. 

Can't wait! 

Art Deco

Last Saturday, my friend and I ventured to the Market Gallery, to view the current exhibit, "Art Deco, Style Moderne and Their Contemporaries in Toronto".

It showcased some of the buildings from the decades between the two World Wars. Many of these have since been demolished to make way for new larger offices and condos.

This advertising poster, shows the Concourse building at 100 Adelaide Street West, that currently is gone. The owners, Oxford Properties, will be replacing it with a 41-story office tower. Apparently, they will be keeping the facade of the first three floors, as well as the archway.

Photo by Jack Landau

This magnificent archway was created by J.E.H. MacDonald of the legendary Group of Seven. Hopefully, the finished edifice will be just a nice as the original.

The structure was built by Baldwin and Greene in 1928, and was most notable for the archway, the lobby and the Art Deco motifs on the east wall.

Halloween

Last Halloween, Nico, my youngest grand niece, dressed up as Maneki-Neko, the Japanese beckoning cat.

I recall buying this little white cat for her birthday last March.

This is what she looked like before going out to "Trick or Treat"

Now, when I look at her, and notice how she has grown these last few years, I am reminded of my mother.

I resurrected an old photo (a little blurry) of my Mum when she was young (18 or 19), and working at Willard s Chocolate factory.

There is definitely a family resemblance.

Bodh Gaya

Dateline - December 19:

Arrived here, in Bodh Gaya on December 15, and it feels very nice to be staying in one place for a little longer than a day or two.
I probably will only stay a week or so, since the rates will peak when His Holiness arrives for teachings.
I would rather not be part of the massive crowds that gather to hear Him.
I am staying at the Rahul Budha Guest House, since there is no room in any of the monasteries; and the hotels are filling up fast.
There is construction going on everywhere, with more temporary market stalls, restaurants, being erected.
My first impression of the main stupa area was almost carnival-like; complete with booths, peanuts, popcorn, cotton candy, hawkers and beggars.
What a production!

Here is a picture of the Bangladesh Temple.