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The Waterfront BIA’s Utility Box Art Program
In the summer of 2021, this artwork designed by Nelson Wu was along Queens Quay as part of “Midsummer Mix Vol.1,” including music by biosphere. The exhibit was part of a ‘Playing in Public’ series led by The Bentway Conservancy and sponsored by the Waterfront BIA. Playing in Public consisted of multiple interactive installations along the Gardiner Expressway underpasses. Nelson’s art pieces and the corresponding playlist were displayed along the waterfront.
You can learn more about The Bentway – Playing in Public event and Nelson’s contribution to it on their website.
The Waterfront BIA decided to expand on Nelson’s art with a more permanent home on the streets of Toronto’s waterfront. These utility box wraps are meant to animate the waterfront and create a fun atmosphere on the streets. In addition to the pop of colour the boxes add to the BIA, the wrap is made up of anti-graffiti material that helps keep the area extra clean by making it easy to wipe away any graffiti that might appear on them.
Only one box has been installed at the York Street and Queens Quay West intersection for the time being. The rest will be coming soon in the spring of 2022.
