Over 100 black-and-white photos document the current state of Ontario Place?s buildings by Eberhard Zeidler and landscape by Michael Hough. Photo by Steven Evans
As It Is: A precarious moment in the life of Ontario Place takes readers on a journey through the landmark site, aiming to capture the essence of the iconic buildings by Eberhard Zeidler and waterfront park by Michael Hough, while painting a picture of Ontario Place?s uncertain future.
The book?s 102 black-and-white photographs were taken by Evans between November 2021 and June 2023. The images are interwoven with texts by Evans, urban affairs journalist John Lorinc, and AGO curator of photography Maia-Mari Sutnik.
According to Evans, the project sparked during the pandemic. ?It was something that was going to keep me busy in the dark days of COVID,? he recalls. ?I went down there and almost immediately had a flashback to all of the experiences that I?ve had at Ontario Place,? he says, adding that he had gone there as a child, and brought his own children years later. ?Going back there, I was really struck by the place and how at that moment, it looked so decayed, and how sad it was. I really understood that the place was in trouble,? says Evans. ?The buildings were rusting, there was an abandoned amusement ride, and the landscaping had deteriorated; it wasn?t in great shape. I was drawn to that because of the history that I have of documenting abandoned and neglected places.?
For Evans, putting together the book...