The Gardiner East Public Art Project is a community-based project that has placed artwork in a new linear park in the Leslie Street / Lake Shore Boulevard East gateway to the Toronto Portlands. The park, created as a result of the dismantling of the eastern-most portion of the Gardiner Expressway, is a realization of a partnership between the local community and the City of Toronto.
There are four components to the public art project that were developed and overseen by Toronto-based artist John McKinnon:
In-ground Cast Bronze Mosaic Tiles
Members of the surrounding community took part in the creation of an in-ground tile mosaic. Situated within the northwest corner plaza at Leslie Street and Lake Shore Boulevard East, the tiles were designed by participating families, community groups and elementary school children. Each is unique to its designer(s). The 114 tiles, initially designed in clay, are cast in bronze. Each tile measures 19 x 19 inches. The entire mosaic measures about 10 x 31 feet.
Stone Markers
Contemporary poetic expressions by local authors have been carved onto five rectangular granite blocks. The markers, split from Belmont Rose granite from a quarry in Brighton, Ontario form a circular enclave and provide seating as well. Authors from south Riverdale were invited to create a passage evocative of the area or to provide a quote from their books. The authors are Nino Ricci, Paul Quarrington, Erika de Vasconcelos, Ann Ireland and Emil Sher.
Restored Columns
The restored group of 19 columns that remain from the dismantling of the East Gardiner Expressway form a design that encompasses all sides of Lake Shore Boulevard East, heading west of Leslie Street. As a public art piece the column formation provides a new sense of place as well as a frame for the entrance way to the new urban corridor. Lighting and vine planting add to the experience.
Stainless Steel Panels
The restored columns have an additional role in the public art component. Sixteen stainless steel panels with selected photo-etched contemporary and historical images of the area will be affixed to four of the columns. The panels depict contemporary images by photographer Peter MacCallum, documenting the dismantling process and historical photos provided by the local community and the City of Toronto Archives. Each panel measures 2 x 3 feet.
