At The Well, passers-by will discover seven new art pieces on display.
The public installations are a nod to the arts and culture vibe of the King West neighbourhood of which The Well expands upon. The grand mixed-use development includes 1,700 residential units spread across six rental and condominium towers, 1.2 million square feet of workspace and 320,000 square feet of retail and food offerings.
EMERGENCE is Dustin Yellin’s latest creation.
At the art unveiling last week, world-renowned artist Dustin Yellin’s revealed his first cast metal sculpture piece, EMERGENCE, which is also his first-ever work in Canada. There was also a sneak peek of the immersive environmental art exhibit Arcadia Earth, which made its Canadian debut as a permanent installation at The Well.
“Public art is fundamental to making culture accessible and to building a more equitable world,” said Yellin. “I am delighted to play a small part in the artistic landscape of this city, and to know that curious minds may explore this piece for years to come.”
EMERGENCE weaves together the origin of the universe, the story of the birth of life, and the creation of computing – into an approximately 2.75 metre tall human-like being.
Arcadia Earth is a 17,000 square-foot immersive multi-sensory experience that showcases the beauty of the planet and the impact of human actions through a 10-room interactive adventure that includes projection mapping rooms, a curved LED screen tunnel and large-scale art installations.
A Neighbourhood Stroll by Vanessa Spizzirri, a local contemporary artist
Vanessa Spizzirri’s, A Neighbourhood Stroll, showcases all types of dogs living together harmoniously in an urban landscape. The dogs stand out in their own individualistic styles through simplistic shapes and bold patterns.
This idea touches on the notion that dogs are not just pets but unique beings, highlighting the diversity of cultures and ethnicities that make up the uniqueness of Toronto. The art installation is located in The Well’s East Lane.
HELLO VELO is another art piece adorned with people on scooters and bikes, aptly located in the bike lobby at 8 Spadina Avenue. The piece is designed by Jenn Kitagawa, whose creative explorations are inspired by nature, the human body, and playfulness.
Another piece uses reclaimed wood from the industrial buildings that previously stood at the site. Local fine furniture makers Brothers Dressler collaborated with the interior design team at Hariri Pontarini to create the site-reclaimed sculptural furniture.
The CCxA-designed Wellington Place Promenade realizes a 100-year vision to connect Clarence Square to Victoria Memorial Park with an 18-metre wide, 450-metre long tree- and garden-lined promenade. The 8 Spadina Ave lobby also features an art-deco door frame salvaged from the Globe and Mail building. The doors have been transformed into a monument that celebrates the fascinating publishing history of the site.
“Public art and placemaking is at the forefront of what The Well is about,” said The Well’s General Manager Anthony Casalanguida. “It is a place for people from down the street, across the country, and around the globe to experience elevated retail, dining, and entertainment offerings. Presenting a range of public art on display will further enhance the King West neighbourhood and visitor experience.”
Feature photo is Arcadia Earth.
