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UrbanToronto was on hand last night at the preview of Windscape, the cultural hub of Luminato 2012, the arts festival at David Pecaut Square at Metro Hall. Designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects in association with artist Mitchell F. Chan, Windscape features a performance stage and a bold blue ribbon that frames the space and evokes the central theme of wind.
Featured at the centre of the space is an installation comprised of nine automated fans and windsocks that comes alive to the sound of music in a mesmerising display of light and motion. Choreographed to five different soundtracks, the windsocks dance in mid-air as they interpret the nuances of each song.
The installation is expected to perform one of the five soundtracks every half hour from mid-morning to 11 PM, every day of the festival. On special event nights where a live music act is onstage, the windsocks will be controlled in real time to create a light and motion show that is sure to be as artistic as that on stage.
While the performances run throughout the day, the best opportunity to take them in will be after sunset when the full effect of the light can be appreciated. At times the windsocks resemble candles gently swaying in the wind, while at other times they also evoke the image of synchronized swimmers.
Meanwhile, music is not the only offering at David Pecaut Square: the noon hour on Thursday, June 14 will feature a talk with Dan Bergeron and Donald Schmitt. 2012 Luminato artist-in-residence Dan Bergeron discusses art, architecture, the unique challenges of public installations and the role of creativity in shaping communities with architect Donald Schmitt of Diamond Schmitt Architects. The talk, moderated by Matt Blackett of spacing magazine, will be followed by a complementary musical performance by Soul Influence.
Luminato opens today and runs until June 17th. Here is a sneak peak at what to expect at Windscape.
