‘…The idea that murals add a colourful element that enhances parks was echoed by artist HiMY SYeD:
“Wading pools are only used for their intentional purpose a few hours out of the year.”‘
‘The Labyrinths that HiMY has painted on wading pools scattered throughout Toronto add an element of play for children whether there is water or not, increasing the hours they’re used. …’
– Tatum Dooley, Spacing Magazine Summer 2017, Page 17
On this Canada Day 2017, I found my way to Jack Poole Plaza in Downtown Vancouver and the big empty space of interlocking bricks immediately north of the Olympic Cauldron which was lit up to mark Canada150.
I chalked out a Giant Maple Leaf which contained a Labyrinth.
It was enjoyed almost immediately by many.
It was also walked over, invisible to many.
This City, Vancouver, has added a “+” to their Canada150 observances of the year.
That “+” is to acknowledge Indigenous Peoples and their Unceded Coast Salish Territory upon which we as settlers/colonizers now occupy.
To many in Vancouver, Indigenous People and their Territory are now seen and acknowledged.
To many elsewhere in Canada, Indigenous People and their Territory remain invisible.
Merrie Yule to all. We've passed the Longest Night; time to let go and welcome the Light! Vancouver Labyrinth from @SecretLantern pic.twitter.com/OoMfGPG35F
— Alice Dubiel (@odaraia) December 23, 2016
Merrie Yule to all. We've passed the Longest Night; time to let go and welcome the Light! Vancouver Labyrinth from @SecretLantern pic.twitter.com/OoMfGPG35F
— Alice Dubiel (@odaraia) December 23, 2016
Claimed empty spot of road by Kids area of #ChinatownFest in #Vancouver
Chalked a 5 Lane #Labyrinth.#VanChinatown pic.twitter.com/ELVajY2f7A
— HïMY SYeD (@LabyrinthsDOTca) August 13, 2016
Vancouver’s Chinatown Festival takes over a number of streets in the city’s Downtown East Side each summer.
It’s a full weekend of programming, and I spent the early part of Saturday Afternoon soaking it all it before deciding to pull out the chalk.
I found the children’s area and took over an unclaimed spot beside a big bouncy castle kind of thing that you fill up with air and little kids, well, walk and go bouncing through.
Chalked a simple Five Lane Labyrinth, including a spelling error(!), then I waited. And Waited. And waited some more. In the shade of course, another HOT day. Yet, no Labyrinth Walkers.
The “Koinoburi” Labyrinth…
Attendees of Powell Street Festival were invited to contribute artwork via painting or markering an oversized Fish “Scale”.
Each “Scale” was then placed upon “The Koinoburi“, a Giant Outstallation Artwork placed in Oppenheimer Park as part of this year’s Powell Street Festival.
My Labyrinth Designs often include Canvas Spaces at the turn-arounds.
You can see two such rectangular spaces in the “Scarboro Labyrinth” in the wading pool in Prairie Drive Park.
One with my name, and another without any artwork in it.
Perhaps Vertical Art like this Plastic Oasis piece can be placed in those squares and rectangles, leaving the Labyrinth path walkable without obstruction . . .
"Plastic oasis" at #artsinthepark at Prairie Drive Park in Scarborough. https://t.co/qdAldX4Zbr pic.twitter.com/YZtm4JBgHG
— Sean Howard (@passitalong) July 9, 2016
Medicine Wheel / Circle of Life #Labyrinth
Now in Progress…
On Traditional #FirstNations Territory#Labyrinths pic.twitter.com/asFvRfwmNd
— HïMY SYeD (@LabyrinthsDOTca) June 1, 2016
Labyrinth Maker Steve Purificati is working on finishing this four colour Labyrinth in Wells Hills Park, on St. Clair Ave West in Midtown Toronto.
I was kind of pissed off that after all my work in creating this Labyrinth, this lady and comes and chalks her commercial website’s URL right in the centre of the Heart…
It gave an impression that she or her website created or sponsored this Heart Labyrinth on Augusta Avenue.
Aw well.
"X" in the Centre Square…? Final Artwork being added into #ChristiePits Labyrinth this evening… | #Labyrinths.ca pic.twitter.com/rsjtdtypG7
— HïMY SYeD (@LabyrinthsDOTca) May 11, 2016
Of course, my answer is Yes . . .
Can #streetart calm #traffic & create safer intersections? #labyrinth pic.twitter.com/CRYFY5ZknE
— Emily Macrae (@emilyamacrae) October 21, 2015
Owner of Banh Mi Bar/Pho Bar on Augusta Avenue in Kensington Market saw me painting Labyrinths during Pedestrian Sunday.
She offered me sandwiches of my choice in exchange for painting a Little Labyrinth in front of her restaurant.
I had the paint, I had the appetite, and here you are . . .
