New art installations have taken over the Yonge + St. Clair neighbourhood as part of the Fall Art Festival outdoor exhibition running til November 3, 2019. “Cage Tree” by Luvère Studio is one of the 6 art installations that are free to view and visit by the public, which now stands outside of 2 St. Clair E (next to the Greenhouse Juice Co.).

2 St. Clair E
Installation: “Cage Tree”
Artist: Luvère Studio, Joel Esposito and Oliver Welton
Sponsored by Slate Asset Management

To understand the motivations behind this piece, the creators of “Cage Tree,” Joel Esposito and Oliver Welton, spark a dialogue about nature’s plight, empathy, and newfound hope saying:

 

“The state of our planet is unprecedented. Humankind stands at a crossroads where the decisions we take today will determine forever not only the way future generations will live, but also their very survival.

Since Eden, Nature has been subjugated to the service of Humankind. We believe this has resulted in a fundamental disconnect with Nature. Cage Tree symbolizes this disconnection by provoking a sense of discomfort on the part of the viewer, presenting as it does, a living entity confined within a structure redolent of confinement, restriction and at worse, penal detention.

The concept of confining plant life behind bars is novel. Our primary association with a cage is the holding of animals or human captives, one which immediately elicits our sympathy. Cage Tree uses the metaphor of the cage to excite similar feelings of sympathy by the entrapment of a symbol of Nature under threat: the tree, provider of shade and purifier of our air, but menaced by climate change.

This stark metaphor invites our primordial subconscious to aid the tree in its distress, empathizing with its capture and desiring its liberation from its plight.

Conversely, though, Cage Tree carries a message of hope. Light bars are symbols of the tree’s capture but also of aids to its growth. Moreover, as the tree grows it will eventually engulf the very symbol of its subjugation. Critical to this message is that despite what we have done to the planet, we still have the opportunity to reverse the damage we have done if we awaken to all the strategies and possibilities within our collective power and allow Nature to restore itself to its former glory.”

Cage Tree is a light installation employing a cage-like structure that encloses a tree. It is the latest creation in the ongoing Light Cage Series by Luvère Studio.

Visit “Cage Tree” and all 6 art installations until November 3, 2019 by visiting the Fall Art Festival outdoor exhibition page.

The Yonge + St. Clair Fall Art Festival was the first local, outdoor art exhibition and sidewalk showcase event, which saw local storefronts, 6 new art installations, and sidewalk performers bring new life to shared public spaces all across the intersection at Yonge + St. Clair. 40 local businesses, retailers, eateries and community causes banded together to bring a newfound sense of community to the area, reflecting the forward-thinking aspirations of this emerging neighbourhood.

Members of the public were invited to attend this fall time gathering for free, to explore the emerging neighbourhood and enjoy what Yonge + St. Clair has to offer.

As well, local elected officials including MP Carolyn Bennett, Councillor Josh Matlow, and MPP Jill Andrews joined for the festivities, representing the public interests of the neighbourhood’s development and supporting the always evolving cultural dialogue in Toronto.

Sponsorships from local businesses included significant contributions by Slate Asset Management, Wittington Properties, QuadReal, Desjardins, Delisle Court as well as direct support by TABIA and Green P Parking.

Explore the Yonge + St. Clair Fall Art Festival outdoor exhibition on now til November 3, 2019 which features 6 new and unique art installations created by local artists and design teams. This outdoor exhibition injects creativity into the heart of midtown, showcasing the modern, cultural renaissance that’s been emerging at Yonge + St. Clair. 

This year, artists and design teams from all creative disciplines across Toronto submitted their interpretations of a central concept: Transformation. Much like the local neighbourhood itself, the theme of transformation represents a timely nod to the rediscovery of Yonge + St. Clair, backed by its iconic, storied past and the realization of its new identity as a rapidly growing, and vibrant, urban corner of the city. Come see it for yourself.

Art Installation Locations

Please see the starred locations on the map. Descriptions included below.

A – “Inside Out” by Jacqueline Vandervaart and Rick Schutte sponsored by Slate Asset Management | 17 Delisle Ave, at the Delisle Parkette

This installation aims to challenge the image and experience of the public realm through breaking down the barriers of public and private spaces. Upon discovering this installation, individuals will explore a variety of uncanny furniture pieces and household objects created using the materials of the urban landscape it exists within. This installation intends to act as a playful distraction and escape from the stresses of daily work environments and responsibilities, and function as a reminder of comfort, relaxation, and play. The goal of this installation is to transform the shared perception and experience of public and private spaces, and to encourage a reflection upon the ways in which we interact with and feel in these distinctive environments. 

B – “Cage Tree” by Luvère Studio sponsored by Slate Asset Management | 2 St. Clair E, outside Greenhouse Juice Co.  

The concept of confining plant life behind bars is novel. Our primary association with a cage is the holding of animals or human captives, one which immediately elicits our sympathy. Cage Tree uses the metaphor of the cage to excite similar feelings of sympathy by the entrapment of a symbol of Nature under threat: the tree, provider of shade and purifier of our air, but menaced by climate change. This stark metaphor invites our primordial subconscious to aid the tree in its distress, empathizing with its capture and desiring its liberation from its plight

C – “fLOOOP” by Connie Lei sponsored by Wittington Properties | 1501 Yonge St, outside Shoppers Drug Mart

To combat the incoming end-of-summer blues, this whimsical installation brings colour and invokes an exploration of your inner child.  It interjects a playful way of interacting with public space for the hard-working populace of the neighbourhood.  It encourages a light hearted atmosphere to transform the mundane commute for workers and creates a compelling attraction for tourists, while also spreading awareness of important social issues.With the increasing activism for climate change, this installation is a juxtaposition:  The igloo-like form serves as a bright reminder on the impact of plastic consumption.  To reduce dependency on plastic and single-use items, individual lifestyle changes are needed to bring us one step closer to saving not only the igloos, but also the earth, and all who inhabit it.

D – “Possibility” by Nate Nettleton sponsored by Delisle Court | 1560 Yonge St, outside Bank of Montreal

A rotating disco ball tower, encased by an iridescent housing, transforms reflected light through a full spectrum of colours as it passes through the iridescent acrylic prism.  The artwork creates an interactive environment as colourful light dances across surrounding surfaces.