Menkes participating in Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival
By Lucas on May 10, 2017
Menkes is participating in the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, showcasing the work of Paul Casselman, who chronicled the development of Menkes’ projects One York and Harbour Plaza. CONTACT is the largest photo event in the world with more than 1,500 artists and 200 exhibitions.
“The (Menkes) family and the company believe in the contribution the creative arts makes to the social fabric of the city,” says Mimi Ng, Vice President of Residential Sales and Marketing. “There’s no doubt that arts and creativity are a big part of people’s lives.”
Menkes and Casselman’s exhibit is installed in the One York corridor that connects to the PATH system. The photos are on display next to windows, juxtaposing the finished product and the development process from the same perspective.
The project documents the different stages of construction and the workers themselves. While staring at the Toronto skyline, analysing the punctuating cranes, people tend to forget that there are people at work at each one of these sites. Someone may be frustrated by the construction going on near their home, but they forget that countless families are supported by the city’s growth.
When a building is complete and the workers have left, it’s like the building was always there. How quickly we forget that our high-rises are architectural wonders built by real people. Casselman sheds light on the dedication, fearlessness, and teamwork that goes into bringing an architectural drawing to life.
“Public art is a way of bringing you back to the present,” Ng says. “Making you observe the here and now and really enjoy it, and be present in that moment.” The exhibit will remain open for public viewing until the end of CONTACT and through the summer months.
Paul Casselman studied fine art at OCAD University and now offers 30 years of experience. He is best known for his photojournalism, aerials, architectural work, landscapes, and portraiture.
