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Discovering Arthur Goss

Series 372, Subseries 58 - Road and street condition photographs

From 1911 to 1940, Arthur Goss served as Toronto’s official photographer. He captured thousands of images of the health and social problems presented by urban poverty in early 20th Century Toronto. His specialty in depicting slums highlighted the dark realities that destitute immigrants faced.

As many of you know, Canada was built by immigrants and many of us, including myself, are first generation Canadians.

Goss died in 1940 at a relatively young age, but his work is still widely celebrated.

Michael Ondaatje used many of Goss’ images for his novel In the Skin of a Lion, to obtain a more thorough understanding of the working class experience. He even included Goss as a character in the novel, which I read many years ago, after The English Patient, of course. I loved the character Hana so much that I wrote my own short story with her as the main protagonist for a creative writing course in OAC. I got 100 per cent!

That’s beside the point of this post though.

Goss’ work is currently on exhibit at the Ryerson Image Centre (May 1 – June 2 and June 19 – August 25) as part of the Scotiabank CONTACT Photo Festival. If you’re in Toronto during this time, I suggest you take it in. I promise you that it’ll provide a more comprehensive education on Toronto’s less than rosy history.

Ryerson Image Centre
33 Gould Street

 

Toronto views

Toronto View 2

The development boom in Toronto sees no signs of stopping. Virtually unaffected by the 2008 economic collapse, Toronto is a city that continues to grow, without apologies. There are more cranes lining the skies of Toronto than any other city in the world. The motto continues to be, “grow, grow, grow!”

There’s a lot to do in this city, so there’s no excuse for being bored. You just need to know where to look and who to enjoy your time with. We have the best bars and restaurants in the country, (sorry Montreal) and the people are friendly, helpful and welcoming. Don’t listen to what small town Canada has to say.

My favourite part about Toronto is how walkable it is. I don’t have a driver’s licence, and I’ve never needed one. Where I can’t go on foot, I just don’t go! Well there’s always the TTC, but public transportation just isn’t my thing.

Toronto View 3

Toronto Islands

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I don’t understand this!

Toronto View 8

Old seats from the former Maple Leaf Gardens

Toronto View 9

Toronto View 10

Maple Leaf Gardens

Toronto View

Historic Dineen Building

Dineen Coffee Co 7

This weekend is the 14th annual Doors Open in Toronto, offering residents and visitors an opportunity to go behind the doors of over 150 architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings across our great city.

This year’s theme is entitled ‘Creators, Makers and Innovators‘ and features many older buildings that have been redesigned, re-invented and re-purposed into modern 21st century spaces. One of those buildings is the historic Dineen Building on Yonge Street.

Before its restoration Dineen was home to squatters and in significant disrepair. I was there bright and early this morning to see what all the fuss was about and I was not disappointed.

What a beautiful job they have done. I could go on and on about the building, but if you google it, there are those who have done a much better job than I ever could.

Dineen Building 2

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Dineen Building

A beautiful Toronto day

Toronto Sky

With all the commotion at City Hall, and our mayor’s apparent drug problems, it’s nice to break away from all the drama and remember what’s really important: THE SKY!

My trip to the Dineen Coffee Co.

Dineen Coffee Co

Located at Yonge and Temperance Streets, Dineen Coffee Co. opened its doors a few weeks ago. Nestled on the bottom floor of the historic Dineen Building — once home to W. and F. Dineen Co., a producer of hats and furs — it’s a welcome addition to a part of Toronto that has curiously gone without a charming coffee joint. This is one facet of a substantive face-lift currently underway at this decadent Toronto landmark.

The open space, combined with its modern, yet rustic flavour, reminded me a lot of Buenos Aires, Argentina coffee establishments. Inside you’ll find luscious high ceilings, marble counter tops, comfy red leather seating, hand-painted tile floors (from South America apparently!) and a chandelier that used to be located at the Royal York Hotel. They’ve pulled out all the stops, creating a unique, historically inspired, rich experience.

If you have the time, go check it out. Actually, make the time!

Dineen Coffee Co.
140 Yonge St

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Dineen Coffee Co 2

Little Girl With Dead Leaves read by Tori Amos

Little Girl With Dead Leaves was the first photo ever recorded by Edouard Boubat in 1946.

Little Girl With Dead Leaves was the first photo ever recorded by Edouard Boubat in 1946.

Tori Amos participates in a spoken word series for Janice Long’s BBC2 program by reading Édouard Boubat’s comments about his photograph “Little Girl With Dead Leaves,” which is pictured above. It’s beautiful, please listen.

Movies of the week: Yossi & Jagger and Yossi

Like two weeks ago I forgot about my new Movie of the Week series. To make up for it, I’m recommending two Israeli films that chronicle the life of one man, Yossi. In the 2002 feature, Yossi & Jagger two men fall in love, but each are soldiers, and closeted. Jagger dies, and Yossi is left broken-hearted. Ten years later the story picks up with Yossi who is now a doctor but alone, unhappy and haunted my memories of his one true love Jagger. Closeted, and stalking Jagger’s family, he eventually attracts the attention of a young man named Tom, who just might be his salvation. There you go! Watch!

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