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TO Time

Summer in the Six

By Carl Fisher

July 31^st, 2019

Changes

It seems every time I go back to Toronto something has disappeared and something new has taken its place. I guess it's pretty much the same with any big city that, if it continues to remain a vibrant place, people will invest in it and gentrification becomes inevitable. Old places with lots of "character' get torn down and multistory dwellings with constantly rising entry level prices are thrown up in their place. It can't help but change the fabric of the place. Chances are, that fabric was pretty faded and had some tears, so an infusion of fresh energy can be welcome. Unfortunately, that new energy can also obliterate some of the good stuff that was there previously. Either way, there is always something new to be captured during my infrequent visits to the nation's capital of culture (from an anglo/Ontario perspective).

something to look at

When I was living there, I never realized that Toronto has such a vibrant street art/graffiti scene. Perhaps it wasn't really all that big a couple of decades ago, but it is now. You can apparently even get a tour. I'm more adventurous than that and prefer serendipity, but if time is tight, it's nice to know that option is available.

alley cats

Toronto is one of the few places that I've been to that has so many accessible laneways. They're not too sketchy for the most part and the only time they are off putting for me is on garbage day. So you might want to find out when's pick up day before heading out.

New beginnings

While strolling along Ossington I came across some intriguing wall art that I could see through a large open door in what looked like a former auto shop. There were some metal barriers blocking access to the property, but I didn't think there was any harm in capturing an image from afar. Well, as I was framing my shot, two persons came out from the premises and approached me in a somewhat threatening manner. They wanted to know why I was taking pictures of their property and if I had gotten permission to do so. I didn't think permission was necessary in order to take photos of a commercial building. Once I explained that it was for personal use to post on my wildly popular website, they invited me in for a self guided tour of the place. They were in the midst of preparations to turn the interior into an event space. It certainly had potential, as the photos below attest. I anticipate that by the time I return on my next visit that place will be hopping.

wrapping it up

On my urban treks I usually have some random snaps that don't seem to fit neatly anywhere. It's your good fortune to have finally arrived at that point in this ocular odyssey.