Winter Stations 2020: Striving for sustainability

Erin Horrocks-Pope: Posted March 02, 2020

Captivating installations adorn the frozen ground of Woodbine Beach, distracting those who wander by from the lake's sharp-cold air.

Four unique stations explore how people interact beyond the base-five senses, striving to create interactive bonds between art and public.

This year’s designs come from artists in Austria, Spain, Scotland and right here in Toronto.

(From front to back: Noodle Feed by iheartblob, Kaleidoscope of the Senses by Charlie Sutherland, The Beach's Percussion Enesemble by Centennial College Students, Mirage by Cristina Vega and Pablo Losa Fontangordo. Feb. 19, 2020.)

The Winter Station Design Competition is open to artists from around the world. Aaron Hendershott, the organizer of Winter Stations, explained that the submissions go before a "blind jury".

"The blind jury makes it so the art is chosen solely on merit," Hendershott said. "Anyone can enter the competition; seasoned artists as well as emerging artists."

Each year an Ontario college is chosen to produce and display a piece at Woodbine Beach.

Talha Saeed is part of the Centennial College team behind the Beach's Percussion Ensemble station. Large blocks of sunset colours feature drums and bells; drawing people closer to play, climb and observe.

“We thought we’d do something a little more interactive which does a little more than just looking good and catching you eye at the beach” Saeed said.

(The Beach's Percussion Ensemble designed by Talha Saeed and his team at Centennial College. Feb. 19, 2020.)

“It was a great experience, because pretty much everybody in our group hadn’t really done public art before. Getting out there and putting your art for people to see it and interact with it.”

Saeed and his team are planning on bringing their installation back to Centennial's Story Arts Campus for a second life after the Winter Stations comes to an end.

Sustainability holds a large focus of the Winter Stations. Materials used are preferably repurposed, recyclable or biodegradable.

"We ask artists who are entering in the competition to consider the 'second lives' of their art," Hendershott said. "Whether they're going to be displayed somewhere else or dismantled. We want them to think of where those materials will end up."

According to Hendershott many of the stations find second lives at different exhibits, or pieces of them are repurposed and donated.

(Fabric stuffed with straw creates Noodle Feed, designed by Austrian artist, iheartblob. This display has recently been removed due to safety concerns and unrepairable damage. Feb. 19, 2020.)

Izzet Abibei comes to Woodbine Beach every year to enjoy the displays.

“Many people think art is just pictures so it’s really nice to see 3D objects and sculptures,” Abibei said. “I like that they’re more interactive. You can go in and out and really experience the art.”

Abibei expressed some concern about the lack of Canadian content with the exception of Centennial College’s Beach's Percussion Ensemble.

“It’s cool that we’re celebrating internationalism, but I think this should be a celebration of more local identity,” Abibei said. “Let’s champion Toronto’s multiculturalism.”

While the Winter Station competition is open to artists from around the world, Hendershott and the team at Winter Stations introduced annual interactive displays in the Queen’s Quay neighbourhood starting in 2016.

Each year, a Canadian artist is asked to design an engaging art installation to be featured near Toronto’s Waterfront.

The Winter Stations Design Competition seems to have found a way to smoothly celebrate both global and local art.

“I’m excited to see what gets put up next year,” Abibei said. “More Canadian pieces would be great but I’m sure I’ll enjoy it regardless.”

(Izzet Abibei and friend, Tanaka, stand infront of Kaleidoscope of the Senses designed by UK artist, Charlie Sutherland. Feb. 19, 2020.)