Super Kid in The Labyrinth . . .
“Children never Walk a Labyrinth, Children always Run!”
They’ll even run my painted Labyrinth in a Wading Pool full of water!
Alexandra Park in Downtown Toronto . . .
‘…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.
Many of my Labyrinths include canvas spaces at the turn-arounds for additional artwork.
Often I create or paint smaller Labyrinths within the canvas spaces within the larger Labyrinth.
Akin to the driving plot point in the movie Inception,
Labyrinths within Labyrinths.
“In Toronto, Ontario, Canada we have several beautiful Labyrinths.
I was in a foot cast for four months (achilles) and would sometimes go to one and sit there with my foot stretched out in the walkways or walk slowly.
I then looked up Labyrinths in Toronto on google and discovered there was one near where I work lo and behold and I could not believe I had not noticed it.
So I went there.
It is the saddest most poorly painted one ever on very uneven ground and almost impossible to walk.
The lines are wavy and confusing.
I sat there on the little wall nearby staring at it for half an hour.
Seriously, what if someone did this search too and only came to this Labyrinth, from afar!!!!!
What if they made a trek.
However, it was also a compelling site.
Over several days,
I would sit for a bit and commune with the little Labyrinth.
It is right outside a subway station on a blvd and people just walk all over it going to other places.
There is a drain in the middle of it!!!
I came to love that little Labyrinth.
It is a Charlie Brown Labyrinth, the littlest unloved and small Labyrinth lol.
It is much smaller than it appears in the photo and the lanes are much smaller as well, almost too small for feet.
Around it are many people walking and cars and buses circling around it.
It is right outside a subway station and donut shop.
One day I got up and walked it and the peeps from the nearby donut shop sitting all around me on the wall stopped talking to each other and watched me in confusion.
“Will you look at her, she looks like she is going backwards” someone said.
The short story is that this is a powerful and sweet Labyrinth.
But no,
I would not suggest you come on by on a plane or train or even the subway to visit this little one but do please send it a large Hello.
xo ❤”
