Yesterday I spent the whole day inside, yet again. I went to the gym and stood on the balcony but other than that, I didn’t go outside the whole day. I really notice how bad that makes me feel. So today, I was determined to go outside. I had an appointment and needed to get some things from the shops so that’s a start, but I also wanted to check out the Ai Wei Wei Forever Bicycles sculpture outside the town hall.
The sculpture was put up for Nuit Blanche but on the night it was completely surrounded by people so we gave up trying to get closer. I’m glad I went back to have a look today. Very few people around, the sky was blue with only a few clouds and I didn’t have to fight to get close to it.
For this Toronto edition of Forever Bicycles, 3,144 bicycles are connected into a three-dimensional structure creating an incredible visual effect. The sheer quantity of bikes and the diverse perceptions of viewing points create a massive labyrinth-like, visually moving space.
Yong Ju, translated as “forever”, the foremost bicycle brand in China and Ai re-interprets this everyday object to create a complex and abstract sculpture representing the rapidly changing social environment in China and around the globe.
I couldn’t quite fathom there were that many bicycles in the sculpture but nevertheless it does create an interesting visual effect. I couldn’t help but be drawn to different angles and vantage points to see what I could see. And the photos of it make it look like it’s moving, creating a blurred image.
You can go right up to the bikes and, unless I missed a sign, touch them. Realising the wheels still spin was a pleasant discovery. And watching kids (and adults) enjoy the different patterns and perceptions made it a high point of my day. I like art that does that, that makes you stop and smile.
For anyone in Toronto who wants to check it out, it’s on display until 27 October.
As for the rest of the day, it’s been pleasant also. I bought some groceries (and some new clothes…they were on sale!). And tonight we’re going to a Snow Show to buy cheap snow gear.
Wednesday not much happened though I did get some writing work done. And I baked a cake in the evening for Glen to take to work (I didn’t eat any), which got me out of the funky mood I’d been in. Having 9 to 5 on in the background helped. Still remember all the words.
On Tuesday evening, Glen and I went to the movies ($5 movie night) to see Don Jon. It’s about a guy who’s going out with a girl but he’s got a (sort of) porn addiction. An hour into the film the power in the building goes out and all movies stop. We hung around for a little while but, seeing as the movie wasn’t all that interesting and had started to drag, we left. I’ll have to ask someone how it ends.
We’re going to Ottawa this weekend. Really looking forward to it.
Travels with Dan 
What do you say, eh?