Last weekend, the inaugural Toronto Biennial of Art opened. The exhibition?s theme, The Shoreline Dilemma, refers to the shifting borders of Toronto?s lake and river fronts. The artworks presented touch on issues of landscape, territory, and occupation, among other concerns. Several of the installations make explicit reference to urban and architectural issues.

Toronto Biennale of Art headquarters at 259 Lakeshore Boulevard East, Toronto. Photo by Elsa Lam
The exhibition has two headquarter: its main location is a former Volvo car dealership at 259 Lakeshore Boulevard in Toronto. The location, which was flood damaged, was transformed into the biennial?s main gallery space by Toronto-based firm Partisans. (The same firm previously rehabilitated the Hearn Power Plant for Luminato in 2018.) Inside the entrance to the space is a commissioned work by Adrian Blackwell, a designer who teaches at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture. Isonomia in Toronto" (harbour) replicates a section of the city?s shoreline, with successive layers cut to reflect changes in the contour as the lakefront has been infilled over time. The piece doubles as seating for performances and discussions, pointing to questions of territorial occupation.

Adrian Blackwell, Isonomia in Toronto" (harbour), 2019, ash harvested in Toronto, 914.4 x 914.4 x 274.3 cm. Commissioned by the Toronto Biennial of Art.On view at 259 Lake Shore Blvd East as part of the Toronto Biennial of Art (2019)...