Measuring 8 by 6.5 metres and consisting of cut aluminum relief, Reverie will adorn the north atrium wall of the Instructional Centre on the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. As a permanent public art piece, Reverie will be a welcomed addition in this newly built gathering place, affirming it as a site of interaction, exchange and growth. The imagery of Reverie invites contemplation while eliciting diverse and rich narrative possibilities. Its vertical landscape depicts a giant tree that simultaneously evokes mountain ranges and multitudes of paths yet to be ventured. Within this wondrous and inspiring realm, curious beings set out on explorative journeys. On the far left, a free-spirited runner eagerly scouts out the surrounding area.

Another crouches high above, keenly observing the events unfolding below. Closer to the central axis, a figure confidently scans the horizon from within the sanctuary of a built structure. In the upper-most reaches, a seated figure ensconced behind a lacy veil radiates calmness and peace, suggesting a contemplative moment of self-reflection. The hidden mysteries of quests and probing are further emphasized by the presence of symmetrically composed mirroring branches. Drawing upon a misty “Chinesesque” landscapes as inspiration, the luminescence and scale of the work stretches towards the infinite unknown, approaching the sublime. Reverie’s light-coloured hue stands out against a darkened backdrop. The muted palette conveys a degree of subtlety that allows this visually rich and complex work to exist harmoniously with the given space; all the while maintaining a powerfully physical and material presence.

Furthermore, the image of structural elements depicted within the artwork plays off the geometric and linearity of the passing shadows cast through the atrium skylight. Reverie seems to be ever changing, as it cleverly responds to the environmental condition of ambient and passing light, as well as trailing shadows. As a testament to embracing possibilities, Reverie’s stimulating visual impact and presence within the atrium of the Educational Centre engages and invokes narratives that dream of potential and optimism

Public art proposal - Instructional Centre The University of Toronto Scarborough Campus