This is the entrance to the Yorkville Library which is the oldest library in the Toronto Public Library system. Located just along the street from the Town Hall Square Park, it opened in 1907 and was designed by Robert McCallum and shares the Beaux Arts style of many libraries from that time. This library is one of several in Toronto that were built with grants from American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie who funded the building of 2,509 public libraries around the world in the early 20th century. Great man.
This is one of my favourite sculptures in Toronto. Located on Yonge St (Toronto's main street), just a block south of the park from yesterday, it was originally installed on Bloor St in 1988 but was moved around the corner several years ago. Now it forms an interesting entranceway as you walk north. Titled "Full Moon", it was created by Wendell Castle, an American furniture artist who is considered one of the fathers of the art furniture movement.
Another shot from yesterday's park which is called Town Hall Square Park since it is on the site of the original Yorkville townhall which opened in 1860 but was destroyed by fire in 1941. The park is filled with trees and those great planters but 1 corner has a lounging area popular for eating lunch etc. This section surrounds the sculpture "Reaching For the Clouds" by artist Jean-Pierre Morin which was installed in 2005. The pic also gives a hint of all the condos that have sprung up in the area.
After all the chaos in Toronto over the last 2 days because of the G20 meetings, I needed some order and tidiness. There is a tiny park in the Yorkville area of town (just up the road from some of yesterday's protests) and it has rows of these wonderful planters. Yorkville was the centre of Toronto's hippiedom in the 60s but was taken over by developers in the 70s and is now totally gentrified and very up-scale. Still an interesting area though.
This is the inner fence from the G20 security area that is now in total lock-down. The gate opens into the entrance of the Convention Centre to allow the world leaders to exit their motorcades, enter the building and not to have any contact with the common people who are now being kept well away from this area. Empty streets in downtown Toronto - what a travesty.
Another pic from the depths of the G20 security zone. This is the view looking east on Front St, taken from inside the 2nd row of fences. That is the CBC behind the fence on the left and on the right you can sort of see the inner fence and the Convention Centre behind it where the meetings of the leaders will be. This area of town is usually bustling with people - now looks like a ghost town. Very creepy.
This is a view of the fence in front of the CBC building where yesterday's pic was taken. It is very intimidating and sobering to see in a city that is usually so welcoming everywhere. I'll be glad when the G20 is over and all the big guys go home.
