Monumental New Indigenous Permanent Public Artwork Now on View

A circular art piece with two legs stands at the entry of a building.

PUBLISHED: NOVEMBER 28, 2024

In This Blog:

Ludovic Boney’s In Equilibrium is now installed within the walkway of Anishnawbe Health Toronto’s new purpose built health centre on Cherry Street.
The work is part of Waterfront Toronto's vision for the West Don Lands.
It's a monumental installation that celebrates the importance of Indigenous placemaking and placekeeping and the layers of Indigenous presence, past, present and future in Toronto.
In Equilibrium is a dynamic new addition to this growing neighbourhood, and will attract residents and visitors alike.

If you walk along Cherry Street at Mill Street you might just encounter a massive white structure. This is Ludovic Boney’s permanent public art installation, In Equilibrium, part of Waterfront Toronto's public art master plan for the West Don Lands.

In Equilibrium stands nearly 28 feet high and acts as a gateway into the soon to open Indigenous Hub on Cherry Street – one of the first mixed-use, purpose-built Indigenous Hubs in the country and the first in Ontario. The installation creates an instantly recognizable landmark for this important new facility, while celebrating the importance of Indigenous placemaking and placekeeping and the layers of Indigenous presence, past, present and future in Toronto.

Celebrating Indigenous Presence in the West Don Lands

For more than 20 years, Waterfront Toronto has been the trusted leader of revitalization, with the experience, expertise and vision to deliver vibrant new places to live, work, learn and play. Our vision for the West Don Lands has transformed 32 hectares (80 acres) of former industrial lands into a complete community with housing for people of all ages, income levels and abilities, award-winning parks, transit connections, and retail and community amenities. Incorporating amenities like health services along with dynamic artwork to attract residents and visitors is an important part of this vision.

A building across the side of a street. There is a pole in between and trees run along the street.

Indigenous Hub at Cherry Street and Mill Street under construction.

In 2014, the 2.4-acre property at the southeast corner of Cherry Street, between Front and Mill Streets, was returned to Anishnawbe Health Toronto (AHT) by the Province of Ontario. AHT is a unique, Indigenous-led, and accredited Community Health Centre that is the only provider in Toronto who integrates traditional healing with western medical services. It also serves as a benchmark for other Indigenous Community Health Centres and health access centres across Ontario.

In 2017 AHT partnered with Dream Unlimited, Kilmer Group and Tricon Residential to co-develop the site for community, residential and retail uses. Once complete, the 2.4 acre hub will span an entire city block and will include the new home of AHT, the Miziwe Biik Training Institute, and a childcare and family centre operated by the City of Toronto. The adjacent development will include the Canary House mixed-use condominium building and restored Canary heritage building by Dream Unlimited and Kilmer Group, along with a purpose-built rental building, developed by Dream, Kilmer and Tricon Residential.

An art piece with long cylindrical legs is placed in the middle of a construction site.

In Equilibrium being installed in the southwest plaza of Anishnawbe Health Toronto’s Indigenous Hub on Cherry Street.

Incorporating Art into Dynamic New Neighbourhoods

Waterfront Toronto’s Permanent Public Art Program integrates artwork throughout the waterfront’s public spaces, creating dynamic neighbourhoods that become destinations for residents and visitors alike. In Equilibrium is part of Waterfront Toronto's public art master plan for the West Don Lands and will join its collection of beloved artworks. Once complete most of these works are turned over to the City and become part of its Public Art and Monuments Collection. In Equilibrium, however, will be owned by AHT.

The piece features thousands of fire-coloured hanging stems, which evoke a natural landscape with a nod to cattails and reeds. They hang under a mirrored surface, with a view to the sky. When the viewer looks up, instead of sky, they see their own world reflected to them, encouraging contemplation about how they fit into the surrounding landscape. The piece rekindles relationships to land, not just for Indigenous peoples, but for all the diverse people who call Toronto home. Through this act of introspection, the work promotes hope and healing.

Watch this video to learn more about the artwork [LINK].

In Equilibrium was created by Ludovic Boney, a sculptor and artist from Wendake, Quebec and part of the Wendat First Nation. Boney works on large-scale public art projects and regularly presents his work in galleries, museums and artist-run centres. The piece was selected by an Indigenous Evaluation Committee working with Ryan Rice (the Indigenous Public Art Curator at Waterfront Toronto) following an open call to First Nations, Métis and Inuit curators. In addition to crafting the curatorial vision, Ryan helped write the artist call, and reviewed procurement processes and best practices to ensure that this opportunity was open, inclusive and free of barriers.

This monumental new artwork highlights the contributions of contemporary Indigenous art and culture in Toronto. It will become an important part of this vibrant and diverse new community.

In Equilibrium will be officially unveiled alongside the opening of the Indigenous Hub later this winter. Stay tuned to our newsletter and social channels for the latest info!