StreetARToronto’s Art Over Bridges Project

AlbertC · Nov 19, 2020

StreetARToronto’s Art Over Bridges Project | Gord Perks

gordperks.ca

StreetARToronto’s Art Over Bridges Project

The Micki Moore ‘Art Over Bridges’ Project

Toronto is home to some of the best street art and artists in the world!

In celebration of this, and Toronto’s 2021 Year of Public Art, the Micki Moore ‘Art Over Bridges’ project is a transformative new StreetARToronto (StART) initiative to engage artists to design and install three-dimensional artwork on bridges in Toronto.

At the heart of Micki’s vision is a series of vibrant Art Bridges throughout Toronto, beginning with art over the Jameson Avenue Pedestrian Bridge. Micki’s placemaking initiative promises to strengthen the connection between people and the places they share through a collaborative process to improve the look and feel of our streets and the public realm.

- StART Art Over Bridges Community Engagement

s.cotsurvey.chkmkt.com

The Micki Moore 'Art Over Bridges' Project - Jameson Pedestrian Bridge

Survey closes November 19, 2020 at 11:45pm EST

ARTIST CONCEPT BY DAN BERGERON

ARTIST CONCEPT BY BIRDO

ARTIST CONCEPT BY KWEST

Northern Light · Nov 19, 2020

The above is welcome enough and fine as far as it goes; though Toronto's history of maintaining public art leaves some pause.

Be that as it may........

What this doesn't address is the underlying problem of incredibly boring and cheap design of bridges, both of the pedestrian variety (actually usually better than our road efforts).........but most prominently our road bridges.

We can do so much better.

Simply choosing to either use interesting forms; and/or cladding, and or dying the concrete on parapet walls would make a huge difference.

Spending the money on quality railings.

Putting in elegant pedestrian/street lighting.

Building in nice seating areas, particularly at the bridge approaches; and at least one look out spot on larger bridges or those with exceptional views.

Finally incorporating flowers into bridge planning.

This doesn't need to be on every bridge, or be elaborate, its simply designing in planters/baskets that people can't easily throw or damage, that can contain flowers, preferably with an all-season landscaping commitment.

Some examples of bridges done nicely: