Flowers for the Harbourfront

The resulting global stoppage reminded us that urban environments have profound effect on how we live and relate to each other. Flowers for The Harbourfront is a large-scale, site specific art installation designed for the Toronto Harbourfront. A highly visible piece that will foster social connections, raise awareness, and promote the safe use of public space (in the context of COVID19), and increase the understanding of the importance of safe, inclusive, and welcoming environments by providing a place for relief

As this pandemic has never been experienced before, there is little out there to guide us into how to operate in every environment, particularly public spaces

The aprox.3000m2 “fresco”  (made with biodegradable paint) is only perceivable in its entirety from the air, and depicts a collection of flowers in an artistic arrangement. This artistic arrangement is conceived as a discreet and beautiful way to provide safe guidance for the use of public space,  as each “flower” is  in reality a designated seating area which colours determine seating arrangements at a socially-safe distance; and the ‘stems’ are arched  pathways that also delineate where to walk, safely, through the spaces and in between the flowers.

Designed simply to be walked around, occupied, or contemplated, it subtly guides people safely  in the space while creating a dialogue with its surroundings; waiting for the user to take in, both, the creation, and its environment as an overall immersive display. Evoking feelings of hope, solidarity, and more humanity