Recently, an international selection of artists have loaned sculptures to be displayed around the area. Here are the descriptions of the sculptures, as provided by the Distillery District's own glossy magazine.
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Still Dancing
Located in The Distillery’s main Trinity Square, Still Dancing is a 36 foot tall sculpture constructed in aluminum, steel and structural cast resins. It is the creation of internationally renowned artist, Dennis Oppenheim. Based in New York, Mr. Oppenheim is recognized as a leading conceptual artist. His works are displayed in locations around the world, including The Whitney Museum of American Art, Neue Naionalgalerie, Berlin and Olympic Park South Korea. This is the first Ontario installation for him. Dennis Oppenheim describes Still Dancing as a “combination of sculpture, architecture and theatre.” He explains that “by combining these art forms into one work, which derives content from an association with early distillery images and their alchemical apparatus, one evokes the extraordinary transformative drama inherent in the distilling process.”
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IT and Koilos
IT and Koilos are the creations of California based artist, Michael Christian, represented by The Distillery’s Meta Gallery. Known for his surreal and somewhat radical sculptures, Mr. Christian’s works are both provocative and captivating. These are his first Canadian exhibitions.
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IT
Standing in Distillery Lane, just outside Fresh and Wild’s south doors, IT rises forty feet tall and is constructed of 12,000 pounds of steel. Inspired by H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds, IT was commissioned by Black Rock City Nevada’s 2006 Burning Man Festival and over 50,000 visitors viewed it when it was first unveiled.
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Koilos
Sitting in Distillery Lane, crouches Koilos, a fourteen foot tall sculpture constructed of hand cut sheet metal. Christian explains that Koilos, sits with its legs ready to move, pounce or play. He adds that the posture of the piece reflects restraint, knowledge and wisdom. Koilos has been described as “eerie and yet beautiful.”
Update May 2013: Koilos has been disassembled and removed, and now he sits on an island in Muskoka.
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Passerelle et Portance
Passerelle and Portance is the creation of well known Quebec Artist Claude Millette. Constructed of stainless and corten steel, the piece greets visitors at The Distillery’s Parliament Street entrance. It consists of two bridge like structures and invites visitors to climb and explore.
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The cache is in a small container, hidden in a typical manner. The area is popular with tourists, so time your visit carefully. You may find it useful to bring along a small child as a photographic decoy.
