spaces
The Bentway is a newly reimagined public space and programming platform. Since its inception in 2016, the project has transformed a 1.75-kilometre area beneath Toronto's Gardiner Expressway into a designated space for arts, culture, and recreation (The Bentway, 2019). In 2019, an artist used the space to install a 7-metre wide replica of the moon that was built to scale using NASA imagery. The Bentway organized a range of programming to complement the moon installation (Carter, 2019). More recently, the Bentway is hosting an exhibition that encourages visitors to rethink play in the their daily lives. Head to their website for more information on their ever-evolving space.
Public art has grown to include more than just sculptures and monuments; public art encompasses infrastructure and land-use projects that support artistic endeavours. The reframing of architectural spaces as community spaces strengthens the public realm and creates new opportunities for local artists. Public spaces for the arts allow us to rethink the civic landscape and make a more equitable city for all those who call it home.
Underpass Park is another reclaimed urban space in Toronto, located under a series of overpasses that provide natural shelter from the elements. The space facilitates a range of activities with a basketball court, skatepark, playground, and space for a weekly community farmer's market. The space is adorned with murals and graffiti, as well as a reflective ceiling art piece called Mirage by Toronto artist Paul Raff (Waterfront Toronto, 2020).
name . Underpass Park
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References
Carter, S. (2019). Have you seen the full moon under the Gardiner? Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/visualarts/2019/09/09/have-you-seen-the-full-moon-under-the-gardiner-get-ready-to-sing-to-it-with-choir-choir-choir.html
The Bentway. (2019). About. The Bentway. https://www.thebentway.ca/about/.
Waterfront Toronto. (2020). Underpass Park. http://www.explorewaterfrontoronto.ca/project/underpass-park/