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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nBodies in Urban Spaces by Willie Dorner, (from a prior performance) Vilnius, 2017. Photo: Lisa Rastl<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nNight walk with Teenagers, (from a prior performance), Amsterdam, 2018. Photo: Ryan Lewis<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Bentway\u2019s summer activities will end with a Bentway Block Party<\/strong> (August 14). Sounds like a full calendar of happenings and a lot of fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bentway Block Party, 2018. Photo: Andrew Williamson<\/p>\n\n\n\n STREET<\/strong> is part of the summer programming intended to make us look at our streets in a new light. As Anna Gallagher-Ross, Senior Manager of Programming, explains, \u201cThe Bentway was founded on the idea that the street is not only a path from point A to point B but a destination in its own right\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n STREET<\/strong> is comprised of three public art installations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Parade <\/em>by Mimi Lien utilizes a suspended track with colourful assemblages of urban sculptures that will \u2014 just like the street \u2014 have a continuous movement of objects surprising the viewer. The kinetic work will celebrate the street. Mimi Lien, originally from New York, has created a number of urban projects such The Green \u2013<\/em> a green welcoming space in a sea of concrete \u2014 at Lincoln Centre, New York City and The Tree<\/em> in Philadelphia in 2016. Her background is in architecture and she has done commissioned designs for live performances winning a Tony Award for her design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Parade by Mimi Lien, rendering, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n There were content challenges in coming up with an installation that would be equally playful and engaging for pedestrians. The design for a suspended group of works had some engineering challenges. Depicting Toronto\u2019s population diversity was done by pulling together a creative palette of colours and objects one might normally encounter on the streets. A company familiar with industrial track systems will be creating that element of the piece and another company will put together the objects. It all comes to life on May 26 and will run until August 21. This is Mimi Len\u2019s first time exploring Toronto and she has created a great art work for us to gaze upon while walking The Bentway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another installation is Weweni Bizindan (Listen Carefully)<\/em> by the Ogimana Mikana Project (Susan Blight and Hayden King) uses a series of words presenting language and space in a \u201cpoetic way\u201d. The words are all connected to the concept of echo that is created by call and response. There is a break in the poem indicated by marks on the beams rising from the ground. This is their largest project since working together in 2013. They continue their practice of place by naming paths and roads with Anishinaabe words. They stated that with the sounds of the Gardiner and the wind you \u201clisten and respond to the sounds of Anishiaabe life\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ogimaa Mikana by Ogimaa Mikana Project (Susan Blight & Hayden King), 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Installation in collaboration ArtworxTO, Future Perfect (photoshopped version). The billboard itself is in Calgary. Image credit: Action Hero & Mia+Eric. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Running from May 26 to July 24 is Moko Jumbie Mas Camp<\/em> by Michael Lee Poy. It will engage youth with lessons in stilt walking and costume making built upon Michael\u2019s roots in Trinidad and Tobago. It will conclude in a parade of some fifty youths on stilts at Canoe Landing \u2014 with tie dye banners that will add another layer of colour to this fun project (July 17). Michael teaches at OCADU and is an artist and architect as well as an educator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moko Jumbie, Queens Park Savannah, Trinidad & Tobago, 2018. Photo: Lisa Fernandez<\/p>\n\n\n\n The STREET<\/strong> promises to engage the public with these three installations, as well as many other programs and will give people an opportunity to embrace their urban environment in different ways. This will be a great way to celebrate our city with renewed wonder and curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phil Anderson<\/p>\n\n\n\n Images are courtesy of The Bentway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n *Program information: May 26 \u2013 July 24, The Bentway, 250 Fort York Blvd, Toronto. For detailed program information please click here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n