Have you noticed a large-scale statue floating down the Don River lately? The sight of this has surely confused a few people, but it's all in the name of a critical art performance that's taking place this month.
Toronto-based duo "Life of a Craphead" has been doing the performance each Sunday since October 29 as part of The Don River Valley Park Art Program, and it's turned a lot of heads along the Lower Don.
Here's what it looks like floating downstream:
Life of a Craphead @DRVP_TO @EGbrickworks @jonmccurley123 @amyclam 📸RR #ArtInTheDon #LowerDon #TOravines #TOparks https://t.co/lF2NivmPlk http://pic.twitter.com/JTsz6DI5w3
— Richard Rhyme (@richardrhyme) November 5, 2017
The water-bound figure above, created by artists Amy Lam and Jon McMurley (known collectively as the aforementioned Life of a Craphead), is merely a life-sized replica of the 15-foot bronze statue in Queen's Park.
The original equestrian statue was actually erected in India in 1922, removed after the country gained independence in 1947, and relocated to Toronto (despite public protest) by an art collector who liked horsey statues in 1969.
"Their performance will create the illusion that this statue has been 'dumped' in the Don River."
"With both humour and a sharp critical eye, the project addresses the persistence of power as it manifests in public art and public monuments," the description continues. These are "symbols that are often preserved in perpetuity, even when the stories we want to celebrate change."
Life of a Craphead's King Edward VII replica will be floating down the Lower Don River for its fourth, and final time this Sunday, Nov. 19.
by Lauren O'Neil via blogTO
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