Shared posts

17 Nov 02:16

A New Japanese Painting Supply Store Lines its Walls With 4,200 Different Pigments

by Kate Sierzputowski

pigment-1

Thousands of pigments fill glass vials below the slatted wood ceilings of the new concept Pigment, an art supply laboratory and store that just opened in Tokyo by company Warehouse TERRADA. The store design was created by architect Kengo Kuma, utilizing bamboo and large open spaces to create a sense of unity with the outdoors and spark the imagination of those who enter.

In recent years fewer artists have turned to more traditional methods of art making, diminishing the number of successors to these older forms. Pigment aims to provide hard-to-find tools for the preservation of older paintings while also inspiring the latest generation of artists to incorporate these older materials into newer works. In addition to selling brushes, pigments, special glues, and papers (some used in Japanese painting since the Meiji period), the store will also provide workshops by both art professors and manufacturers of the supplies housed in-store.

If you can’t make it to Japan to experience the space in person, you can browse Pigment’s large supply of pigments and rare materials on their online store here. (via Designboom)

pigment-2

pigment-3

pigment-4

pigment-5

pigment-6

pigment-7

pigment-8

14 Nov 18:55

U.S. rescue dogs destined for death find haven in Canada

by Michelle-Andrea Girouard
Main picture

With a high rate of healthy pets being euthanized in the U.S., animal welfare groups like LotsaDog Rescues pull dogs out of American kill shelters to try to find homes for them in Canada.

14 Nov 18:55

Delicate ‘Knit’ Glass Sculptures by Carol Milne

by Christopher Jobson

milne-1

Seattle-based artist Carol Milne (previously) fabricates flowing glass sculptures that mimic the delicate patterns of knit yarn. Contrary to the assumption that Milne has super-human ability to knit strands of molten glass by hand, the artist instead devised a somewhat complicated process that involves wax casting, mold-making, and kiln-casting. She discusses her techinques in detail in this video from Heather DiPietro. Milne also offers a PDF and a book about producing her glass work through the FAQ on her website.

Over the last year Milne’s artwork has appeared in the 9th Cheongju International Craft Competition, in the Creative Knitting show at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, and at the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts. You can see more of her recent work at Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery in Pittsburgh.

milne-2

milne-3

milne-4

milne-5

milne-6

milne-7

milne-8

milne-9

milne-10

14 Nov 18:54

Flu vaccine earlier in life may help stave off dementia decades later

by CBC News
Dawn Bowdish

If you're undecided about getting a flu vaccine, new Canadian research on how inflammation after that and other respiratory illnesses might contribute to dementia and cardiovascular disease could help you make up your mind.

13 Nov 17:36

Canada's first Nutella Cafe just opened in Toronto

by Amy Grief

nutella cafeIf you find yourself eating Nutella by the spoonful there's now a more refined way to indulge your cravings for this beloved spread. That's because Toronto is now home to Canada's first ever Nutella Cafe.

Located inside the Sobeys Urban Fresh store at 22 Fort York Boulevard, this heavily branded cafe is truly a shrine to chocolatey hazelnut goodness.

nutella cafeNaturally, there's a made-to-order crepe station where you can choose from options such as strawberry obanana and Nutella ($5.99), strawberries and Nutella ($5.99) and mixed berries and Nutella ($6.99).

nutella cafeIf you're looking for something to eat on the run, check out the pastry case filled Nutella-infused treats like bombe ($3.49), danishes ($3.99) and flaky aragosta ($3.99). For a shot of nostalgia, go for an artisanal Belgian loaf. Despite the fancy name, it's basically a jazzed-up Nutella sandwich.

nutella cafeTo off-set the richness from all the baked goods, the cafe offers espresso beverages, all of which are rather affordable; lattes, cappuccinos and americanos are only $2 each. Drip coffee, tea and hot chocolate (made with Compliments, Sobeys house brand) are $1. I try a latte. While not mind-blowing, it's definitely very drinkable.

nutella cafeNotably missing, however, are Nutella-infused drinks. Aficionados know you can find these at other cafes scattered throughout the city (check out Little Nicky's Coffee, The Black Canary Espresso Bar or Cafe Con Leche if you're interested).

nutella cafeWith a few small tables tucked into the corner, the Nutella Cafe is more of a grab-and-go spot. It's open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, giving you plenty of time to treat yourself.

nutella cafenutella cafenutella cafenutella cafePhotos by Jesse Milns.

12 Nov 16:17

Marketplace: Pfizer's Emergen-C among vitamin products that fail to meet label claims

by Tyana Grundig / Marketplace
torp3918

"Emergen-C Super Orange 1,000 mg had the poorest results, containing only one-third of the Vitamin C content listed on the product label."

Emergen-C

In the first independent testing of its kind in Canada, CBC's Marketplace finds that not all vitamins and supplements contain what the label says.

06 Nov 03:57

A Vintage Lincoln Continental Reproduced in Cardboard from Dash to Fender

by Kate Sierzputowski
torp3918

OMG want.

21769237273_18d3f5fb77_k

Miles to Empty, 2015, cardboard,19′ x 6’5″ x 4’9″ (All images by PD Rearick)

Shannon Goff was born in Detroit, a trigger for her lifelong interest in the evolution of transportation. Captivated by her grandfather’s 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V, she had considered making the car many times, but shied away due its massive size. “Miles to Empty” brings this longtime dream to reality, a sculpture that is her most ambitious project to date.  The work pays homage to her grandfather and hometown while dually reexamining themes inherent to the Motor City like the American obsessions of luxury and convenience.

Goff considers the work a translation and dimensional contour drawing rather than replica, as pieces like the floor of the vehicle are missing from the final work. Although the color also deviates from the original, Goff believes its stark quality fits the feel of the piece. “I had considered making it the color of my grandfather’s, but in the end I decided white was perfect,” said Goff. “It’s forlorn and forgotten, a ghost rider of sorts. It’s about memory and loss and is ultimately a memorial to my grandfather and to the city of Detroit.”

Goff received her BFA from the University of Michigan in 1996 before moving to Kyoto, Japan where she studied ceramics and calligraphy and worked as a woodblock printer. Since receiving her MFA at Cranbook Academy of Art in 2003 she has taught at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Rhode Island School of Design, Cranbook, and currently at Penn State University’s School of Visual Arts where she teaches alongside her husband Tom Lauerman.  “Miles to Empty” will be on display at Susanne Hilberry Gallery until November 14. (via designboom)

21769211583_ec579210a5_k

22364561726_e7f0c1f1db_k

22202860088_78d4afbcf7_k

22202744898_30dd0acbdf_k

22202593928_84bfc8bdd0_k

22202568300_96e6c4aea8_k

22202640708_e32435f1f3_k

22202506148_eb42a054fe_k

22377456902_ee930b3f40_k

04 Nov 00:22

Underwater Experiments: Astounding Photographs by Alexander...

by turecepcja




















Underwater Experiments: Astounding Photographs by Alexander Semenov

Alexander Semenov is a Russian biologist graduated in 2007 from Moscow State University’s zoology department where he studied invertebrate animals. Specifically: squid brains. 

I’m marine biologist, explorer and underwater photographer, head of the divers’ team at Moscow State University’s White sea biological station. My team and I are used to diving in unfavourable and often harsh conditions where we successfully conduct complex research projects. My own goal is to study underwater life through camera lenses and to boost people’s interest in marine biology, sharing all my finding on social media and in real life through public lectures, exhibitions and media events. I have the amazing opportunity to see beauty in the darkness underwater, and this led me to multiple collaborations with the National Geographic, Discovery Channel, the BBC, Nature, Smithsonian and many more.

I’m also leading Aquatilis Expedition. It represents a new kind of research, one which perfectly blends art and science, and one which involves both regular people and the top minds in the scientific community. We’re preparing to launch in late 2016 as an international team of divers, scientists and videographers on a proposed three-year-long, 35,000-nautical-mile ocean trek to find new species and photograph sea creatures as never before.

You can see more images in his photo galleries or you can follow him on Flickr.

 


Discover more of these gems on our Facebook.

posted by Margaret

Cross Connect is a partner of the Minuscule community network

03 Nov 01:20

Alexander Semenov Continues to Photograph the Earth’s Most Fragile Marine Wildlife Near the Arctic Circle

by Christopher Jobson
torp3918

Aliens.

semenov-1
Eutonina indicans / © Alexander Semenov

For the last several years, marine photographer Alexander Semenov (previously) has lead the divers team at Moscow State University’s White Sea Biological Station located just south of the Artic Circle. Semenov directs scientific dives in extremely cold and harsh conditions to document sea creatures seldom seen anywhere else on Earth. From giant jellyfish to the tiniest of unknown sea worms, the photographer captures almost all of the creatures you see here out in the wild, without the convenience of a laboratory or studio.

It’s estimated that nearly 80% of all aquatic life in the world’s oceans has yet to be studied or even discovered. In response to this potentially vast world of unknown lifeforms, coupled with Semenov’s unceasing interest in marine biology, an ambitious trek across the world’s oceans has been planned for 2016. The Aquatilis Expedition is a proposed journey that will take a team of divers, scientists, and videographers to locations around the globe for the purposes of identifying new species, an odyssey on par with the advertures of Jacques Cousteau.

Many of Semenov’s best photos are available as prints, and he shares regular updates on both Facebook and Flickr.

semenov-2
Cyanea rainbow / © Alexander Semenov

semenov-3
Syllidae from the Sea of Okhotsk / © Alexander Semenov

semenov-4
Cestum veneris, Italy / © Alexander Semenov

semenov-5
Beroe cucumis / © Alexander Semenov

semenov-8
Cyanea nude / © Alexander Semenov

semenov-9
Clione limacina / © Alexander Semenov

semenov-10
Sarsia tubulosa attacked by Cyanea capillata / © Alexander Semenov

semenov-11
Swimming file clam, Australia / © Alexander Semenov

semenov-12
Aglantha digitale / © Alexander Semenov

01 Nov 20:05

Fine Art Photography by Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison Robert...

by turecepcja




















Fine Art Photography by Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison

Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison are a husband and wife duo who have been making photographs together for almost 20 years. Their work focuses on the relationship between humans and the environment - an idea that has only recently come to popularity with movements like the Go Green initiative and concepts like the carbon footprint. Using photogravure, collage, and painting techniques, the ParkeHarrisons create cinematic environments that explore how we interact with our natural surroundings.

The ParkeHarrison’s work can be found in over 20 prestigious museum collections, and their book The Architect’s Brother was named one of the ten best photography books by the New York Times in 2000.

Recently the couple has begun working in sculpture large dramatic pieces that complement the dreamy qualities of their photogravures.



Follow us on Facebook! WARNING - awesomeness inside.

posted by Margaret

Cross Connect is a partner of the Minuscule community network

29 Oct 23:37

Artist Maximo Riera homages a wide range of living species with...

by from89














Artist Maximo Riera homages a wide range of living species with his ‘Animal Chair Collection’, including an octopus, a rhino, an elephant, and a hippo between others.

Cross Connect is a proud partner of the Minuscule community network

Artists + Bloggers + Sponsors = Stronger Together

posted by Skumars

25 Oct 22:50

[Koodo] $57 for 2GB Data + unlimited msg + unlimited call (GTA)

by cliche818
Basically the same deal as Fido. Found it when I was looking to switch to Fido. I was able to change my plan on the Koodo website after logging in.
23 Oct 23:16

Expressive Portraits of Animals Reflect Powerful...

by littlelimpstiff14u2


















Expressive Portraits of Animals Reflect Powerful “Human” Emotions

Belgian photographer Vincent Legrange is currently working on an ongoing project that is inspired by his undying love for animals. Human Animal is a series of portraits that displays both domestic pets and wild animals. Each image is refined and solemn, focusing on the animals’ unique features in understated tones and colors. ‘‘Today most people photograph just people, but only a few photograph animals,“ explained Legrange to Yatzer. "I tried to photograph the animals as humans, depicting their emotion and human-like characteristics in a sombre way.’’

Behind the scenes of each expressive image, photographing the animals was no easy task for the animal lover. They were constantly moving around, so he had to repeatedly rearrange his props and lights to accommodate their ever-changing positions. Despite these difficulties, many of the portraits appear peaceful and calm, making viewers believe that the cats, dogs, reptiles, and birds are having a moment of inner reflection.


Like us on Facebook       Posted by Andrew

23 Oct 10:28

Handmade Blown Glass Flora and Fauna by ‘Glass Symphony’

by Christopher Jobson

glass-4

Ukrainian glass artist Nikita Drachuk of Glass Symphony creates all manner of glass spiders, octopi, and other critters by hand. He uses a method called lampworking, where a lamp or torch is used to melt rods of colored glass. Once in a molten state, the glass can be formed by blowing and shaping with various tools and small movements. You can see more of their delicate glass critters here.

glass-1

glass-2

glass-3

glass-5

glass-6

glass-7

glass-8

glass-9

glass-10

20 Oct 22:51

A Drought in Mexico Uncovers a 400-Year-Old Colonial Church in the Middle of a Reservoir

by Johnny Strategy
Licensed from the AP / David von Blohn

Licensed from the AP / David von Blohn

Licensed from the AP / David von Blohn

Licensed from the AP / David von Blohn

Licensed from the AP / David von Blohn

Licensed from the AP / David von Blohn

Licensed from the AP / David von Blohn

Licensed from the AP / David von Blohn

Licensed from the AP / David von Blohn

Licensed from the AP / David von Blohn

Usually when droughts occur and reservoir water levels recede, it’s not a good thing. But a certain drought in Southern Mexico is attracting a lot of enthusiasm. Water levels in the Nezahualcoyotl reservoir have dropped by 82 ft (25 meters), revealing the remains of a mid-16th century colonial church. Known as the Temple of Santiago, the structure was erected by Dominican friars but then abandoned in the 1770s because of plagues.

The 48-ft tall church became a relic of memory in 1966 when the construction of a dam submerged it under water. Since then it’s only emerged twice: once in 2002 and again, now. As it did in 2002, the church has become a popular destination for tourists and local fisherman have been taking spectators out on boats to get a close-up view of the rare occurrence.

“The people celebrated,” recalls a local fisherman, of the last time the church emerged out of the water. “They came to eat, to hang out, to do business. I sold them fried fish.” If the drought continues, water levels could get low enough for people to walk inside the church.

Photos by David von Blohn, used with permission.

14 Oct 01:19

Artist Theaster Gates Bought a Crumbling Chicago Bank for $1 and Turned it Into a World-Class Arts Center

by Christopher Jobson

stony-island-1
Tom Harris © Hedrich Blessing. Courtesy of Rebuild Foundation.

One might think that an abandoned 1920s bank on Chicago’s South Side, crumbling from top to bottom—the roof long collapsed, exposing the interior to snow and rain for years—would be destined for a wrecking ball. Like so many other decaying structures in the area, that was certainly the fate of the Stony Island Savings & Loan building before artist, urban planner, and Chicago resident Theaster Gates intervened.

Armed with only a vision to carry him through, Gates acquired the 20,000-square-foot bank for $1.00 from the city of Chicago and set about an unbelievable restoration. This month, amidst all the hubbub of Chicago’s Architecture Biennale, the doors were thrown open and the public was given the opportunity to walk through the new Stony Island Arts Bank. While construction is complete, several details of the bank’s history including peeling paint and damaged ceiling tiles have been preserved to physically merge the past and present.

stony-island-2
Steve Hall © Hedrich Blessing. Courtesy of Rebuild Foundation.

stony-island-10
Steve Hall © Hedrich Blessing. Courtesy of Rebuild Foundation.

The Stony Island Arts Bank is a place that proudly defies convention. A community savings and loan bank shuttered since the 1980s turned into a world-class arts center in the middle of a greatly under-resourced community most in need of bold ideas. It’s the kind of place that civic leaders propose and residents dream of, but for a thousand reasons it never seems to materialize. And yet here it is.

Gates’ idea has now manifested itself as a platform for site-specific exhibitions and commissions, artist residencies, and as a home for the Rebuild Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by the artist in 2010 that seeks specifically to foster culture and development in underinvested neighborhoods. In addition, the arts bank houses the vinyl archive of Frankie Knuckles, regarded as the “Godfather of House Music,” as well as 60,000 glass lantern slides from the University of Chicago and the School of the Art Institute. You can also find the personal magazine and book collection of John H. Johnson, founder of Ebony and Jet magazines.

In a press release Gates describes the Arts Bank as “an institution of and for the South Side,” “a repository for African American culture and history, a laboratory for the next generation of black artists,” and “a space for neighborhood residents to preserve, access, reimagine and share their heritage, as well as a destination for artists, scholars, curators, and collectors to research and engage with South Side history.”

stony-island-5
Tom Harris © Hedrich Blessing. Courtesy of Rebuild Foundation.

stony-island-6
Tom Harris © Hedrich Blessing. Courtesy of Rebuild Foundation.

stony-island-3
Steve Hall © Hedrich Blessing. Courtesy of Rebuild Foundation.

The building’s first exhibition is by Portuguese artist Carlos Bunga, whose installation Under the Skin introduces towering cardboard columns to the bank’s towering first-floor gallery. The facility will undoubtedly be used as a place for black artists, community members, and other individuals to experiment with and engage with the South Side, in an environment Gates refers to as a “laboratory.”

“Projects like this require belief more than they require funding,” Gates tells Fast Company. “If there’s not a kind of belief, motivation, and critical aggregation of people who believe with you in a project like this, it cannot happen. The city is starting to realize that there might be other ways of imagining upside beside ‘return on investment’ and financial gain.”

You can visit the new arts bank Tuesday through Saturday, 11am-6pm. (via Fast Company, the Chicago Reader).

stony-island-9
Tom Harris © Hedrich Blessing. Courtesy of Rebuild Foundation.

stony-island-7
Steve Hall © Hedrich Blessing. Courtesy of Rebuild Foundation.

stony-island-8
Steve Hall © Hedrich Blessing. Courtesy of Rebuild Foundation.

stony-island-4
Tom Harris © Hedrich Blessing. Courtesy of Rebuild Foundation.

06 Oct 00:07

Alexandre Dubosc’s Newest Animated Zoetrope Cake, ‘Melting Pop’

by Christopher Jobson
torp3918

mmm. Cinema

French director and animator Alexandre Dubosc (previously) returns with his latest quirky confection, a towering animated zoetrope cake called Melting POP. This really defies any meaningful description, so just give it a watch and smile. And if you liked this, there’s quite a few more.

cake-1

cake-2

cake-3

cake-4

30 Sep 23:03

really-shit: Ouch (h/t Top of Reddit)

by really-shit
20 Sep 13:08

Animal Body, Human Space- Beth Cavener SculpturesPrimitive...

by littlelimpstiff14u2




















Animal Body, Human Space- Beth Cavener Sculptures

Primitive animal instincts lurk in our own depths, waiting for the chance to slide past a conscious moment. The sculptures I create focus on human psychology, stripped of context and rationalization, and articulated through animal and human forms. On the surface, these figures are simply feral and domestic individuals suspended in a moment of tension. Beneath the surface, they embody the consequences of human fear, apathy, aggression, and misunderstanding.  I want to pry at those uncomfortable, awkward edges between animal and human. Entangled in their own internal and external struggles, the figures express frustration for the human tendency towards cruelty and lack of understanding. Something conscious and knowing is captured in their gestures and expressions. An invitation and a rebuke.


Like us on Facebook       Posted by Andrew

17 Sep 21:27

Starting With the Earth as a Marble, This Is the First Timelapse of the Solar System to Scale

by Christopher Jobson

solar

When looking in a science textbook or a toy mobile of the solar system, it’s easy to depict the sun, planets and moon to scale in comparison to each other. What’s not so easy to visually comprehend the staggering distance that separates each planet on its individual orbit around the sun. Filmmakers Alex Gorosh and Wylie Overstreet challenged themselves to build such a model and the result is this fascinating short film To Scale.

Starting with the Earth as the size of a marble, it turns out you need an area about 7 miles (11.2km) to squeeze in the orbit of the outermost planet, Neptune. The team used glass spheres lit by LEDs and some GPS calculations to map out the solar system on the dry bed of the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. Once nighttime arrived they shot a timelapse from a nearby mountain that accurately reflects the distance of each orbital path at a scale of roughly 1:847,638,000. Amazing.

If you have more questions about how they did it, here’s a brief making of clip. (via Colossal Submissions)

to-scale-1

to-scale-2

to-scale-3
When standing next to the Earth in the scale model, the orb representing the sun appears exactly the same size as the actual sun.

17 Sep 20:58

Open house at TTC maintenance shops to benefit United Way, September 19

torp3918

2015.09.19 Saturday, 9:00a to 3:00p. 1km North of Bloor on Bathurst. Interested?

A PCC car — like this one — will shuttle between Bathurst Station and Hillcrest during the event. (In fact, it may even be this one, since the TTC still owns it and it’s still operating.) James Bow shot this view of PCC #4500 on Ossington Avenue in 1999.

The TTC is holding its annual open house to benefit United Way Toronto and York Region at its Hillcrest complex, 1138 Bathurst Street this Saturday, September 19 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. You can enjoy a variety of activities for all ages, ranging from a golf challenge to a hockey shootout and paintball. You can also take a guided tour of the Harvey and Duncan Shops, see the vintage Peter Witt streetcar and the new low-floor Toronto Flexity streetcar or simply enjoy the barbecue and corn roast.

An historic Presidents’ Conference Committee (PCC) streetcar will operate as a shuttle between Bathurst Station and the Hillcrest complex for those taking transit to the event.

Established in 1923, Harvey Shop is the major maintenance facility for the streetcar fleet, and also manufactures components for subway cars and buses. Duncan Shop is a major maintenance component overhaul facility for the TTC bus fleet.

Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children, with all proceeds supporting the United Way.

From the Transit Toronto archives, read:

  • “The Hillcrest Complex”, by James Bow with additional information from Godfrey Mallion, here
  • “The Peter Witts”, by James Bow, here.
  • “A history of Toronto’s Presidents’ Conference Committee Cars (PCC)s”, by James Bow, with additional information from John F. Bromley and Dave Imrie, here.
  • “The Toronto Flexity Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs)”, by James Bow, here.
17 Sep 18:50

TORONTO, CANADA TO PUERTO RICO FOR ONLY $274 CAD RETURN

by Admin
torp3918

WTF? That's cheaper than Porter to NYC

TORONTO, CANADA TO PUERTO RICO FOR ONLY $274 CAD RETURN

Cheap flights from Toronto, Canada to San Juan, Puerto Rico for only $274 CAD return with Delta!!

 

DEPART:
Toronto, Canada

 

ARRIVE:
San Juan, Puerto Rico

 

RETURN:
Toronto, Canada

 

DATES:
Availability from January to April 2016

Example dates:
16th-23rd Jan
20th-26th Jan
26th Jan – 2nd Feb
3rd-10th Feb
15th-22nd Feb
23rd Feb – 1st Mar
29th Feb – 7th Mar
14th-21st Mar
16th-22nd Mar
28th Mar – 4th Apr
30th Mar – 5th Apr
5th-11th Apr
13th-20th Apr
19th-26th Apr
21st-27th Apr

and more…

 

STOPS:
New York

 

AIRLINE:
Delta Air Lines

 

 

GO TO DEAL


Allow the Momondo search to complete, then proceed to book with the OTA of your choice:

 

16 Sep 14:22

A snapshot of Danforth and Broadview in the 1910s

by Chris Bateman

toronto danforth broadviewBefore the Prince Edward Viaduct linked the city's east and west ends in 1918, Broadview and Danforth was far from the major intersection it is today. In 1903, the Danforth marked Toronto's northern city limit. Maps made at the time show just one building at the corner of a quiet rural outpost that was only accessible on unpaved, rutted roads, or by riding the streetcar to the end of the line.

A little less than two decades later, following the arrival of one of Toronto's most famous structures, the east was ready to rise.

Here's a look back at Broadview and Danforth during its formative years.

toronto bloor danforthLooking east from the edge of the Don Valley before the beginning of viaduct construction. Playter's Hall with the rounded front at the southeast corner is still standing. The New York Cafe Restaurant and a Tim Hortons currently share the ground floor.

toronto broadview danforthPlayter's Hall was the first commercial building at Broadview and Danforth. When it opened in 1911, there was space for stores on the ground floor, a doctor and dentist's office on the second floor, and a meeting space on the upper level. The name of the building came from Albert Edward and William Ellerbeck Playter, members of a prominent local family who co-financed its construction.

toronto broadview danforthEast along the Danforth from Broadview during streetcar track construction in 1912. The road had yet to be widened and it was still lined with trees and homes.

toronto bloor danforthWhen this photo was taken in October 1912, the northbound streetcar tracks curved west and ended at Danforth Ave. The bank building on the right with the columned entrance has since been replaced by a squat structure housing a Pizza Pizza.

toronto bloor danforthNorthwest from the southeast corner in 1912. The wooden advertisement panels on the right of the frame shield the future home of a Canadian Bank of Commerce branch, which is there today.

toronto broadview danforthEast on the Danforth from Broadview in 1914. In order to cross the Don Valley, vehicles would have used Winchester Dr., which roughly followed the path of the Don Valley Parkway access ramp southwest to the river. A bridge just north of the present day location of the Riverdale Park footbridge connected with Winchester St. in Cabbagetown, completing the crossing.

toronto bloor danforthThe superstructure of the Don section of the viaduct was built starting at the valley walls and working inwards toward the middle. This section, under construction in 1916, originally spanned the Canadian Pacific main line. Today, the Don Valley Parkway passes underneath.

toronto bloor danforthEven though the viaduct was built with a ready-to-use subway deck beneath the roadway, the city still had no way to fund a subterranean rapid transit line. Until the arrival of the Bloor-Danforth line in the 1960s, streetcars shared the centre lanes with autos.

toronto broadview danforthViaduct opening day on October 18, 1918. The crowd has gathered on the east side of the bridge, just west of Broadview and Danforth. An apartment block now occupies the northwest corner in the background of the photo.

toronto broadview danforthThe viaduct has been altered several times over the last 97 years. The streetcar tracks are gone, so too are the pretty light standards. In 1965 the dormant subway deck saw its first train and in 2003 the Luminous Veil, minus its signature lights, was added to the concrete balustrades on both sides.

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Images: City of Toronto Archives (as marked,) Toronto Public Library, 976-17-10.

15 Sep 00:37

Photographs from Ellis Islands - Faces of America by Augustus...

by clisawork




















Photographs from Ellis Islands - Faces of America by Augustus Francis Sherman

Augustus Francis Sherman was an amateur photographer and the chief registry clerk at Ellis island during its busiest time.  In 1907 over 1 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island - 3,000 to 5,000 a day.  Some of these migrants had to spend an extended time there and August Francis Sherman was able to persuade them to put on their best clothes for a photograph.  Most of these photographs were taken between 1906 - 1912.  

Thanks to NPR on Tumblr!


More art from around the world at our Facebook Page.  Posted by Lisa.

28 Aug 23:33

Coonlife

by Derek Flack
26 Aug 23:04

Glass Cross Sections of Fruit and Other Foods by Elliot Walker

by Christopher Jobson

fruit-1

London-based artist Elliot Walker uses molten glass to create a stunning variety sculptures including these arrangements of eating utensils, vessels, and cross sections of food. The stark outer surfaces of the surrounding objects contrasts with the vibrant interiors of the edible pieces, not unlike the effect of a cut geode. Walker currently has work at the Peter Layton Glass Blowing Studio as part of their current exhibition titled Essence that runs through the end of the week. You can see more photos of his work on Facebook.

fruit-2

fruit-3

fruit-4

fruit-5

fruit-6

fruit-7

fruit-8

fruit-9

24 Aug 16:05

'It's all baloney': If cosmetics worked as promised, they'd be drugs

by Kelly Crowe
ANTI AGING YOUTH

If cosmetics could trigger metabolic changes that can turn back time, they'd be drugs. In reality, cosmetics offer only superficial cleaning and conditioning.

24 Aug 16:05

Bask in Toronto's summer beauty with this drone video

by Derek Flack

Drone video torontoDrone videos of Toronto rarely disappoint with their sweeping bird's eye views of the city, but when you throw in some very soft morning light and a bit of fancy editing, the results verge on the stunning. This short video posted to YouTube as a demo by Sky Rift Films has only one point: to show off how pretty Toronto looks from above.

Naturally the Scarborough Bluffs make an appearance, a location that's popular with drone photographers but that's also a natural fit when your goal is to highlight the city's ample aesthetic merits. Also seen here are the obligatory skyline shots and some fancy camera work at a racetrack near the city. There's not much you need to think about: just soak up the scenery.

18 Aug 23:40

New shop serves up Hong Kong waffles & ice cream

by Sami Elfar

Woofles and CreamThis new shop knows a thing or two about pairing ice cream with Hong Kong-style egg waffles. You can also order them separately, but when it's in tandem these creations become showstoppers.

Read my review of Woofles & Cream in the restaurants section.

15 Aug 15:14

crossconnectmag:  Vivid Hummingbird Close-ups Reveal Their...

by littlelimpstiff14u2




















crossconnectmag:

 Vivid Hummingbird Close-ups Reveal Their Incredible Beauty

When it comes to birds, the terms “strong” or “beautiful” might inspire images of fierce eagles or decadent tropical parrots. But both of these birds will certainly find strong contender in hummingbirds, which possess a unique sort of delicate beauty and a mastery of avian maneuvers like no other. We created this list of 20 stunning hummingbird photos to show you just how beautiful they can be.

Capturing a photo of a hummingbird in flight with clearly focused wings can be very difficult, as some varieties are capable of beating their wings up to 52 times a second. This gives them the ability to hover and fly backwards – something that few other birds can do and that none have mastered the way the hummingbird has. via Boredpanda

                                                     &&

Cross Connect Mag // Facebook - Flickr - Twitter