Lanterra Developments is commissioning renowned British artist Ryan Gander to create his first permanent sculpture in Canada as well as funding an OCAD University mentorship bursary and new minor degree in public art.
The public art by Gander will be integrated into Artists’ Alley, one of Lanterra’s largest residential sites, near Dundas St. W and University Ave. The six-foot sculpture named The Cat, the Clock and the Rock will be built in Artists’ Alley grand public concourse, connecting St. Patrick St. to Simcoe St. between two residential towers, and further extending a pathway to the TTC St. Patrick subway station. The sculpture will be fabricated locally in Toronto and completed for residential occupancy in 2024.
Artists’ Alley Concourse Rendering. Photo: Lanterra Developments.
In 2019, Lanterra hired Richan Art as the public art consultant to create a Public Art Plan for City approval. The Public Art Plan included a substantial community engagement component that integrated the voices of the site’s neighbours, OCAD University, the Grange Community Association, and the Ward councilor. A curated shortlist of artists was invited to discuss the project.
“Sculpture is perhaps the most recognizable form of art and adds a third dimension and spatial element to its message, and as we built out plans for Artists’ Alley grand concourse, we knew we wanted to bring the city something very special,” said Mark Mandelbaum, Chairman of Lanterra Developments. “As a celebrated artist around the world, Ryan Gander became the clear choice to partner with. He demonstrated unmatched creativity and passion for working with aspiring artists, while remaining sensitive to the neighbourhood’s history and context. We are very excited to work with Ryan on this project.”
Lanterra also launched a partnership with OCAD University to fund a mentorship bursary
and support the development of a new minor degree program in public art. OCAD U invited
upper-year students and recent alumni to compete for one of six places to be mentored by Gander. In September 2022, the chosen students participated in a week-long workshop entitled “A Melted Snowman”, focusing on urban explorations and the production of interventions within neighbourhoods surrounding the OCAD U campus.
This multi-dimensional partnership between Lanterra and Ryan Gander coincides with Toronto’s Year of Public Art (2021-22) and supports the city’s 10 Year Public Art Strategy objectives such as collaborating with art institutions, creating significant new initiatives, and the facilitation of public engagement.
This new sculpture will both serve as an entry point for the gallery that awaits Artists’ Alley residents and a future landmark for Toronto’s arts district. The site feature three towers, ranging from 18 to 39 storeys with 581 condominium suites combined. Interiors will be completed by Studio Munge, with exteriors by David Pontarini of Hariri Pontarini Architects.
Feature photo: Left: Emma Landis, Principal of Richan Art; Centre: Ryan Gander; Right: Mark Mandelbaum, Chairman of Lanterra Developments. Photo courtesy of Lanterra Developments.
