This bronze sculpture installed in 1969, by Dale Heinzerling and the students of the Rochdale Sculpture shop, is located on Bloor St near U of Toronto in front of what had been a great experiment in student-run alternative education and co-op living - Rochdale. Housed in a brand new 18 storey building, 840 students were to pursue knowledge in a free environment. Unfortunately, the idealism of the 60s lost out to the drug culture and within a couple of years Rochdale was one of the largest drug-distribution centres in N America! It finally closed in 1975 after many famous raids by the police and the building is a seniors apartment complex now - perfect for the same people who first lived there!
Great and impressive sculpture!
ReplyDeleteLike your words!
Full circle i guess ;)
It's a pity people were not prepared to take advantage of this fabulous oportunity.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot of the dramatic sculpture!
Great sculpture.
ReplyDeleteI like the sculpture and what an interesting background!
ReplyDeleteTerrific sculpture. From today's perspective, it seems so obvious that complete freedom among kids of college years would likely degenerate, but I guess it was less obvious at that time.
ReplyDeleteThat's beautiful. Nice history too.
ReplyDeleteI think I bought drugs there once a few decades ago,,,M
ReplyDeleteHow sad that the plan didn't work...but hey! I'm sure it's a great place for seniors. The sculpture is wonderful!
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