While Torontonians can no longer look at the boarded-up statue of Canada’s first prime minister – Sir John A Macdonald – at least you can see the giant yellow spider.
Or whatever it is.
At first it looks like a giant pile of mustard was squirted out from the condo building above. Or is it cheese dip? Look closer it will soon reveal itself to be a five-legged spider with a human face but with eyes that seem to be covered up by a warrior’s mask.
Who knows what the heck it is on Roehampton Ave. at Redpath Ave. – near Yonge St. and Eglinton Ave. – in front of two luxury condo buildings. Across the street, there’s a blue monster type of thing with a trumpet coming out of its face. These are the art work of Blue Republic.
“Commissioned by the development team, the $1.5-million installation emerges from two portals on both corners of Redpath Ave., appearing to materialize from another world,” a 2020 news release states. “The blue, yellow and multi-coloured characters emerge from outer space through the surrounding landscape of swirling vortexes.”
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
Enjoy additional articles per month.
Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
Move over Yonge-Dundas Square, not only did you get Sankofa Square, you also get this.
“Stargate is one of the most distinct, boundary-pushing public art installations in Toronto,” Amanda Milborne-Ireland, VP of Sales and Marketing, Capital Developments said in the release. “Its vibrancy reflects the dynamic energy and diversity already here in the Midtown neighbourhood.”
They certainly stand out. Do you like this art? Well, you may see more – all over the place.
Another mysterious art installation on Roehampton Avenue — Joe Warmington photo
The city is introducing a new program called “Culture Everywhere” to support “the development of one million square feet of new cultural space across Toronto over the next ten years.”
Not for housing. Not to get the five-year-late Eglinton-Crosstown finally going. But for culture.
Your noon-hour look at what’s happening in Toronto and beyond.
There was an error, please provide a valid email address.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don’t see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox.
We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
“Our culture is what defines us and brings us together. Culture Connects is a bold vision for a future where all Torontonians, from all corners of the city, can engage with the arts. By expanding cultural spaces and programming, we are ensuring that Toronto’s rich cultural diversity continues to thrive,” said Mayor Olivia Chow, who thanked “the advisory panel, residents, cultural organizations, artists and others for their input in guiding this exciting new plan for culture in our city.”
Who knows what these leftists are really up to? We know they love to change the name of streets and squares, cancel anything they don’t agree with, including removing, hiding or covering up statues of our history like they did to Macdonald, Alexander Wood and Winston Churchill.
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Politicians, including Mayor Olivia Chow, and guests attend the renaming of Lower Coxwell Ave. in Toronto.Photo by @PaulaFletcherTO /X
What should be erected here is a statue of George Orwell who got it right with Nineteen Eighty-Four. They will rewrite every part of history like he wrote. Remember how Lower Coxwell was changed to Emdaabiimok Ave.? These revisionist Great Reset proponents are just getting started.
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Like the Indigenous and African land acknowledgements at Yonge-Dundas Square, nobody gets to vote on this. Is this what Torontonians want? What’s this latest grift costing us?
A new African Ancestral Acknowledgement has shown up in a neon video message at the soon to be named Sankofa Square — Joe Warmington photo
“Culture for the future (is) increasing the City’s investment in culture by $35 million over the next decade to support diverse cultural initiatives,” said the release. “Culture beyond our borders – enabling 1,000 new creative export and artist exchange projects.”
Now you know why your property tax increased 9.5% and there’s no money to get a contract done with Toronto Police. This crowd is spending our money like fentanyl addicts.
“The plan includes actions to address pressing challenges such as the loss of cultural space, rising operational costs and the urgent need for programming that reflects the diverse communities of Toronto, including Indigenous, Black and equity-deserving groups.”
This is code for ‘some artists will benefit from a taxpayer-funded art slush fund and some won’t.’
As Orwell said they will rewrite everything right in front of our eyes with no resistance. They can change YongeDundas Sq. to Sankofa Square — a name with no connection to TO- but it doesn’t make it right. Worse than them doing it is our leaders let them erase Canada’s history pic.twitter.com/N9eDr8TTHU
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
While it feels like a Toronto cultural revolution, it’s going to be a good time for artist friends of the Toronto-hating socialists. Lucrative.
This type of cultural retrofit doesn’t come at a bargain. The yellow spider and blue trumpet player cost $1.5-million – albeit they claim the cost of those pieces was not billed to taxpayers.
“These artworks were privately funded and commissioned by the developer through their commitment to the City’s Percent for Public Art program,” said Shane Gerard, from the City of Toronto.
Blue Trumpet art at Roehampton and Redparth Aves. — Supplied photo
The developer added, “The agreement for this art installation was struck in 2015, at which time the community benefits process was different than it is today. At that time, Section 37 agreements often included a ‘Percent for Public Art Contribution,’ which obligated the Developer to contribute the art at its own cost. The City’s process requires that a Public Art Plan be prepared and approved by Community Council. The artist is subsequently selected by a jury, organized by the developer, but approved by the art commission. This was not in relation to adding additional floors. The artwork has been generally well received.”
I guess art is in the eye of the beholder.
What do you think of the yellow spider and his blue friend? And how about spending $35 million to see more such art?
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.
This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Looks like you’ve reached your saved article limit!
You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.
Move over Yonge-Dundas Square, not only did you get Sankofa Square, you also get this.
“Stargate is one of the most distinct, boundary-pushing public art installations in Toronto,” Amanda Milborne-Ireland, VP of Sales and Marketing, Capital Developments said in the release. “Its vibrancy reflects the dynamic energy and diversity already here in the Midtown neighbourhood.”
They certainly stand out. Do you like this art? Well, you may see more – all over the place.
Another mysterious art installation on Roehampton Avenue — Joe Warmington photo
The city is introducing a new program called “Culture Everywhere” to support “the development of one million square feet of new cultural space across Toronto over the next ten years.”
Not for housing. Not to get the five-year-late Eglinton-Crosstown finally going. But for culture.
Your noon-hour look at what’s happening in Toronto and beyond.
There was an error, please provide a valid email address.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don’t see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox.
We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
“Our culture is what defines us and brings us together. Culture Connects is a bold vision for a future where all Torontonians, from all corners of the city, can engage with the arts. By expanding cultural spaces and programming, we are ensuring that Toronto’s rich cultural diversity continues to thrive,” said Mayor Olivia Chow, who thanked “the advisory panel, residents, cultural organizations, artists and others for their input in guiding this exciting new plan for culture in our city.”
Who knows what these leftists are really up to? We know they love to change the name of streets and squares, cancel anything they don’t agree with, including removing, hiding or covering up statues of our history like they did to Macdonald, Alexander Wood and Winston Churchill.
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Politicians, including Mayor Olivia Chow, and guests attend the renaming of Lower Coxwell Ave. in Toronto.Photo by @PaulaFletcherTO /X
What should be erected here is a statue of George Orwell who got it right with Nineteen Eighty-Four. They will rewrite every part of history like he wrote. Remember how Lower Coxwell was changed to Emdaabiimok Ave.? These revisionist Great Reset proponents are just getting started.
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Like the Indigenous and African land acknowledgements at Yonge-Dundas Square, nobody gets to vote on this. Is this what Torontonians want? What’s this latest grift costing us?
A new African Ancestral Acknowledgement has shown up in a neon video message at the soon to be named Sankofa Square — Joe Warmington photo
“Culture for the future (is) increasing the City’s investment in culture by $35 million over the next decade to support diverse cultural initiatives,” said the release. “Culture beyond our borders – enabling 1,000 new creative export and artist exchange projects.”
Now you know why your property tax increased 9.5% and there’s no money to get a contract done with Toronto Police. This crowd is spending our money like fentanyl addicts.
“The plan includes actions to address pressing challenges such as the loss of cultural space, rising operational costs and the urgent need for programming that reflects the diverse communities of Toronto, including Indigenous, Black and equity-deserving groups.”
This is code for ‘some artists will benefit from a taxpayer-funded art slush fund and some won’t.’
As Orwell said they will rewrite everything right in front of our eyes with no resistance. They can change YongeDundas Sq. to Sankofa Square — a name with no connection to TO- but it doesn’t make it right. Worse than them doing it is our leaders let them erase Canada’s history pic.twitter.com/N9eDr8TTHU
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
While it feels like a Toronto cultural revolution, it’s going to be a good time for artist friends of the Toronto-hating socialists. Lucrative.
This type of cultural retrofit doesn’t come at a bargain. The yellow spider and blue trumpet player cost $1.5-million – albeit they claim the cost of those pieces was not billed to taxpayers.
“These artworks were privately funded and commissioned by the developer through their commitment to the City’s Percent for Public Art program,” said Shane Gerard, from the City of Toronto.
Blue Trumpet art at Roehampton and Redparth Aves. — Supplied photo
The developer added, “The agreement for this art installation was struck in 2015, at which time the community benefits process was different than it is today. At that time, Section 37 agreements often included a ‘Percent for Public Art Contribution,’ which obligated the Developer to contribute the art at its own cost. The City’s process requires that a Public Art Plan be prepared and approved by Community Council. The artist is subsequently selected by a jury, organized by the developer, but approved by the art commission. This was not in relation to adding additional floors. The artwork has been generally well received.”
I guess art is in the eye of the beholder.
What do you think of the yellow spider and his blue friend? And how about spending $35 million to see more such art?
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.
This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Looks like you’ve reached your saved article limit!
You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.
“Our culture is what defines us and brings us together. Culture Connects is a bold vision for a future where all Torontonians, from all corners of the city, can engage with the arts. By expanding cultural spaces and programming, we are ensuring that Toronto’s rich cultural diversity continues to thrive,” said Mayor Olivia Chow, who thanked “the advisory panel, residents, cultural organizations, artists and others for their input in guiding this exciting new plan for culture in our city.”
Who knows what these leftists are really up to? We know they love to change the name of streets and squares, cancel anything they don’t agree with, including removing, hiding or covering up statues of our history like they did to Macdonald, Alexander Wood and Winston Churchill.
Politicians, including Mayor Olivia Chow, and guests attend the renaming of Lower Coxwell Ave. in Toronto.Photo by @PaulaFletcherTO /X
What should be erected here is a statue of George Orwell who got it right with Nineteen Eighty-Four. They will rewrite every part of history like he wrote. Remember how Lower Coxwell was changed to Emdaabiimok Ave.? These revisionist Great Reset proponents are just getting started.
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Like the Indigenous and African land acknowledgements at Yonge-Dundas Square, nobody gets to vote on this. Is this what Torontonians want? What’s this latest grift costing us?
A new African Ancestral Acknowledgement has shown up in a neon video message at the soon to be named Sankofa Square — Joe Warmington photo
“Culture for the future (is) increasing the City’s investment in culture by $35 million over the next decade to support diverse cultural initiatives,” said the release. “Culture beyond our borders – enabling 1,000 new creative export and artist exchange projects.”
Now you know why your property tax increased 9.5% and there’s no money to get a contract done with Toronto Police. This crowd is spending our money like fentanyl addicts.
“The plan includes actions to address pressing challenges such as the loss of cultural space, rising operational costs and the urgent need for programming that reflects the diverse communities of Toronto, including Indigenous, Black and equity-deserving groups.”
This is code for ‘some artists will benefit from a taxpayer-funded art slush fund and some won’t.’
As Orwell said they will rewrite everything right in front of our eyes with no resistance. They can change YongeDundas Sq. to Sankofa Square — a name with no connection to TO- but it doesn’t make it right. Worse than them doing it is our leaders let them erase Canada’s history pic.twitter.com/N9eDr8TTHU
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
While it feels like a Toronto cultural revolution, it’s going to be a good time for artist friends of the Toronto-hating socialists. Lucrative.
This type of cultural retrofit doesn’t come at a bargain. The yellow spider and blue trumpet player cost $1.5-million – albeit they claim the cost of those pieces was not billed to taxpayers.
“These artworks were privately funded and commissioned by the developer through their commitment to the City’s Percent for Public Art program,” said Shane Gerard, from the City of Toronto.
Blue Trumpet art at Roehampton and Redparth Aves. — Supplied photo
The developer added, “The agreement for this art installation was struck in 2015, at which time the community benefits process was different than it is today. At that time, Section 37 agreements often included a ‘Percent for Public Art Contribution,’ which obligated the Developer to contribute the art at its own cost. The City’s process requires that a Public Art Plan be prepared and approved by Community Council. The artist is subsequently selected by a jury, organized by the developer, but approved by the art commission. This was not in relation to adding additional floors. The artwork has been generally well received.”
I guess art is in the eye of the beholder.
What do you think of the yellow spider and his blue friend? And how about spending $35 million to see more such art?
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.
This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Looks like you’ve reached your saved article limit!
You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.
Like the Indigenous and African land acknowledgements at Yonge-Dundas Square, nobody gets to vote on this. Is this what Torontonians want? What’s this latest grift costing us?
A new African Ancestral Acknowledgement has shown up in a neon video message at the soon to be named Sankofa Square — Joe Warmington photo
“Culture for the future (is) increasing the City’s investment in culture by $35 million over the next decade to support diverse cultural initiatives,” said the release. “Culture beyond our borders – enabling 1,000 new creative export and artist exchange projects.”
Now you know why your property tax increased 9.5% and there’s no money to get a contract done with Toronto Police. This crowd is spending our money like fentanyl addicts.
“The plan includes actions to address pressing challenges such as the loss of cultural space, rising operational costs and the urgent need for programming that reflects the diverse communities of Toronto, including Indigenous, Black and equity-deserving groups.”
This is code for ‘some artists will benefit from a taxpayer-funded art slush fund and some won’t.’
As Orwell said they will rewrite everything right in front of our eyes with no resistance. They can change YongeDundas Sq. to Sankofa Square — a name with no connection to TO- but it doesn’t make it right. Worse than them doing it is our leaders let them erase Canada’s history pic.twitter.com/N9eDr8TTHU
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
While it feels like a Toronto cultural revolution, it’s going to be a good time for artist friends of the Toronto-hating socialists. Lucrative.
This type of cultural retrofit doesn’t come at a bargain. The yellow spider and blue trumpet player cost $1.5-million – albeit they claim the cost of those pieces was not billed to taxpayers.
“These artworks were privately funded and commissioned by the developer through their commitment to the City’s Percent for Public Art program,” said Shane Gerard, from the City of Toronto.
Blue Trumpet art at Roehampton and Redparth Aves. — Supplied photo
The developer added, “The agreement for this art installation was struck in 2015, at which time the community benefits process was different than it is today. At that time, Section 37 agreements often included a ‘Percent for Public Art Contribution,’ which obligated the Developer to contribute the art at its own cost. The City’s process requires that a Public Art Plan be prepared and approved by Community Council. The artist is subsequently selected by a jury, organized by the developer, but approved by the art commission. This was not in relation to adding additional floors. The artwork has been generally well received.”
I guess art is in the eye of the beholder.
What do you think of the yellow spider and his blue friend? And how about spending $35 million to see more such art?
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.
This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Looks like you’ve reached your saved article limit!
You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.
While it feels like a Toronto cultural revolution, it’s going to be a good time for artist friends of the Toronto-hating socialists. Lucrative.
This type of cultural retrofit doesn’t come at a bargain. The yellow spider and blue trumpet player cost $1.5-million – albeit they claim the cost of those pieces was not billed to taxpayers.
“These artworks were privately funded and commissioned by the developer through their commitment to the City’s Percent for Public Art program,” said Shane Gerard, from the City of Toronto.
Blue Trumpet art at Roehampton and Redparth Aves. — Supplied photo
The developer added, “The agreement for this art installation was struck in 2015, at which time the community benefits process was different than it is today. At that time, Section 37 agreements often included a ‘Percent for Public Art Contribution,’ which obligated the Developer to contribute the art at its own cost. The City’s process requires that a Public Art Plan be prepared and approved by Community Council. The artist is subsequently selected by a jury, organized by the developer, but approved by the art commission. This was not in relation to adding additional floors. The artwork has been generally well received.”
I guess art is in the eye of the beholder.
What do you think of the yellow spider and his blue friend? And how about spending $35 million to see more such art?
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.