THE WIND ROSE
The Wind Rose was a radial network of 16 square arches designed by Future Simple Studio and installed on the top of the highest mound in Downsview Park.
The structure was inspired by the Downsview airport’s wind rose: a meteorological tool that maps the direction and strength of the wind at a particular location. Beautiful on its own, the installation also hosted a series of dynamic installations over a two-year period. The first installation included 32 blue flags that referenced the sky and showed the powerful winds in this place.
THE TURTLE
& THE TRAVELLER
Mi’kmaq artists, Chris and Greg Mitchell of “Born in the North” created two flags for the Downsview Wind Rose. Their flags marked the direction of the prevailing winds and Indigenous people’s connections to this place. Positioned at the installation’s northwest, one flag was white, representing north on the medicine wheel, and one was the black, representing the west. The white flag depicted a traveller to honour Indigenous people’s historic use of this place as an important route for trade and travel. The turtle on the black flag represented the land—Turtle Island—as well as the local wildlife. Its shell referenced a medicine wheel to highlight traditional teachings. The style was reminiscent of petroglyphs from the Eastern Woodlands people.
FABRIC OF COMMUNITY
In August 2022, a textile-art-based engagement project and public art installation wove together hundreds of community voices to tell a story of North York’s complex patterns of journey, arrival, and legacy. “Fabric of Community” was developed by Paola Gomez, co-presented by North York Arts, co-facilitated by Daniela Arango, and crafted by eight “tejedoras.” These Latina crocheters living in North York created 136 vibrant crocheted mandalas which were installed on the Wind Rose on the top of Downsview Park’s highest mound. Fabric of Community also amplified local voices on over 500 ribbons tied to a fence next to the mandalas. The messages on the ribbons spoke to local journeys of arrival and spelled out “here” in the phrase, “I am right here.”
THE WIND ROSE EMERGING DESIGNER COMPETITION
Launched in September 2022, the Wind Rose Emerging Designer Competition encouraged students and emerging designers to propose installations for the Wind Rose structure. Teams were mentored through the competition and three teams were supported to realize their design following a selection panel process. The installations graced the Wind Rose from January to September 2023. The three winning projects were: “Landing, Take Off” by Fion Kong, Georgia Sa, and Natalie Ko, from the University of Toronto; “See You Around” by emerging artists, Sherri Gallowitz; and “Wind Blessing in Red” by Zishuo Li and Yifu Ding, from OCAD University.
The Competition Proposals
(Click to expand)
The Winners
LANDING, TAKE OFF
by Fion Kong, Georgia Sa, & Natalie Ko, University of Toronto
Landing, Take Off celebrates the industrial heritage and biodiversity of Downsview. The forms—16 panels stretched between the square arches in different shapes and angles—were inspired by the flight of the red tailed hawk and its adaptations to the howling wind.
SEE YOU AROUND
by Sherri Gallowitz, emerging artist
See You Around celebrates the diverse local community and Downsview Park as a gathering place. It is composed of large-scale photographs of individuals, friends, and families and a series of rainbow flags.
WIND BLESSING IN RED
by Zishuo Li & Yifu Ding, OCAD University
Wind Blessing in Red harnesses the power of the wind. The installation is created with long strips of fabric on which wishes are written by community members in a multitude of local languages. It is a celebration of Downsview’s multicultural community and a blessing to all beings around us.