Art
Art installation that injured several people gets a safety makeover – Toronto Star
/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/gta/the-fixer/2021/04/02/art-installation-that-injured-several-people-gets-a-safety-makeover/lcbo_trench.jpg)
It’s encouraging when the guy in charge steps up to make sure more people aren’t hurt by a water-filled trench that is too easy to step into.
Last week I wrote about a narrow channel that’s part of an art installation in front of the LCBO store near Yonge Street and Summerhill Avenue, and how two women were injured after stepping into it on Mar. 9.
They ended up in the same cubicle in emergency at Mt. Sinai Hospital with serious leg injuries, where they met and realized they’d been bushwhacked by the same trench, which runs next to a busy sidewalk, just an hour apart.
Since that column, four more women emailed to say they were also injured by the trench. One suffered a broken foot that left her in a boot cast for six weeks. Another broke and dislocated three ribs, while a third suffered minor injuries.
Susan Merry, who ran a business nearby and was quite familiar with the art installation, which was built in 2004, tried to step over the trench one day in 2007 or 2008 “as a shortcut. I’d done it a million times.”
But she instead stepped into it, where “my left shin collided full-force with the granite edge,” that surrounds it. “I thought I broke my leg,” she said, adding she was in agonizing pain and also ended up in emergency.
“The gash on my shin was so bad you could see right down to the bone,” she said, noting she was wearing sandals and a skirt at the time, and that a piece of her skin was stuck to the granite edge for days afterward.
After hearing from six people who were hurt, it seems likely there are more, which is reason enough to think the trench and its proximity to the sidewalk is indeed a hazard, as all six described it.
Before my first column I talked to Mitchell Cohen, who runs Westdale Properties, which owns the historic former train station in which the LCBO is located and is responsible for the art installation.
He said he was considering changes, but wasn’t specific about what they’d be or how long it would take. So when he asked me to meet him there on Wednesday, I didn’t know what to expect.
I arrived to find the trenches on both sides of the ramp that leads to the LCBO doors covered with fitted steel plates that are fastened in place and prevent people from stepping into them.
Cohen said that covering them with plates — which he hopes is only a temporary fix — was the best way to make the trenches safer right away, adding he doesn’t want anyone else to be hurt.
He said he’s been involved in the train station and its property since 1987 and hopes to find a better solution that will make the trenches safer but “protect the design integrity” of the art installation.
Loading…
Loading…Loading…Loading…Loading…Loading…
The bottom line is that Cohen did what was needed to make the trenches much safer right now, and has engaged professionals to figure out a way to cover them that doesn’t detract from its esthetic appeal.
That’s a win-win, I’d say.
[unable to retrieve full-text content]
Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
Source link
The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
France investigating disappearances of 2 Congolese Paralympic athletes
A linebacker at West Virginia State is fatally shot on the eve of a game against his old school
Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt, who helped Detroit Lions win 2 NFL titles, dies at 92
12 Bizarre Things People Did Just To Make Social Media Content
dynaCERT Inc. Invites You to Join Us at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference | INN – Investing News Network
AP source: Bears acquiring quarterback Nick Foles from Jaguars – Sportsnet.ca
-
News5 hours agoRCMP say 3 dead, suspects at large in targeted attack at home in Lloydminster, Sask.
-
Sports5 hours agoLawyer says Chinese doping case handled ‘reasonably’ but calls WADA’s lack of action “curious”
-
News4 hours agoHall of Famer Joe Schmidt, who helped Detroit Lions win 2 NFL titles, dies at 92
-
News15 hours agoCanadanewsmedia news September 12, 2024: Air Canada pilot strike looms, BC transit strike talks resume
-
News5 hours agoNova Scotia adopts bill declaring domestic violence in the province an epidemic
-
News14 hours ago
Local Toronto business story – Events Industry : new national brand, Element Event Solutions
-
News15 hours agoReggie Bush was at his LA-area home when 3 male suspects attempted to break in
-
News4 hours agoB.C. to scrap consumer carbon tax if federal government drops legal requirement: Eby
