rswootte_publicspace



Research Statement | Background | Critical Position | Data Collection & Analysis | Opportunities | Resources


 * Research Statement**

The Toronto Music Garden holds a number of performances throughout the summer season. It's goal is to provide Impromptu or informal performances so that all types of people can be exposed to high culture. The aim of this project is to better expose, highlight and organized these performances so that a wider range of people can experience art and musical culture.

Although exposure for the Toronto Music Garden is necessary, it should not limit the possiblities of the project. Not only connecting performances within one stage but discovering other stages and public, mobile performances that are not limited to just music but art and social events.


 * Background**

The Toronto Music Garden has many different layers in the overall design of the space. Located at Queen’s Quay and Spadina the Toronto Music Garden is a artistic escape located in the heart of the city. The public space welcomes all kinds of people from all different cultures and backgrounds and is a symbol of Toronto's international community. Also, conceptually the Toronto Music Garden can be described as a flexible environment, where individuals can use the space in a variety of different ways.

Ways people use the Toronto Music Garden
 * **Recreation:** Picnic, simply being outside.
 * **Lunch:** Many people from surrounding offices use the Toronto Music Garden as a lunch area.
 * **Concert Venue:** A wide range of musicians from different style, levels and cultures
 * **Exhibit:** Many people read and look at how the public space was designed


 * Critical Position**

The most important aspect of the Toronto Music Garden are the outdoor performances. The Toronto Music Garden hosts a variety of performances such as classical music to indian cultural dances. Although the are highly formalized many the concerts and the venue(TMG) do not get the recognition they deserve. Also, impromptu events and art related exhibits are held all over the city. A method could be developed to raise awareness of these public space concerts as well as finding venues around the city to hold these events/concerts.


 * Opportunities**

Specifically in the Toronto Music Garden, there aren't as many outdoor concerts as anticipated during the summer months. Also, not only are the concerts not as regular as they could be but the kinds of music being performed can be more inclusive.


 * **More inclusive concerts**: Not limited to classical music but possibly other genres.
 * Increase how often concerts are being held: Maximize the space
 * ** Are their other public space venues that can be found around Toronto? **


 * Data Collection & Analysis**

Toronto Music Garden: Visit 1 media type="custom" key="4390917" Observations
 * **A wide range of people using the space**
 * The people within the Toronto Music Garden using the space for various reasons
 * **High contrast between urban space and nature(music garden)**
 * **Once in the TMG you are surrounded by the plantations. Once inside the TMG it's difficult to see surrounding urban space.**
 * Many ways to enter the music garden
 * Well maintained
 * Isolated sections, where one can be private
 * An amphitheater

media type="custom" key="4413161" Observations  //Definition of something that is impromptu//
 * Toronto Music Garden: The Sanssouci Quartet an Impromptu Concert**
 * ** Impromptu Concert **
 * The informal concert & stage was exposed
 * **There was only room for basic elements of what makes up a performance**
 * Audience was always shifting and being modified //(people filtering in and out)//
 * As seen on wide shots of The Sanssouci Quartet flickr slideshow, the TMG surrounded the amphitheater
 * **The audience attracted all types of people**//**(young, old, cyclists, music enthusiasts, etc.)**//
 * **The informal set up and basic elements that make up a concert shifted the focus to just the music**
 * < **1.** ||< made or done without previous preparation: //an impromptu address to the unexpected crowds.// ||


 * < **2.** ||< suddenly or hastily prepared, made, etc.: //an impromptu dinner.// ||


 * < **3.** ||< improvised; having the character of an improvisation. ||

Sketchbook Notes
 ** =**Rockin’ a U-Haul in a changing Annex**= media type="youtube" key="4JJ7vv3QCfs" height="360" width="580"  **Resources**
 * Research Article: An excerpt from an article looking at the way in which public spaces are changing. This inspired me to look at musical performances as impromptu concerts.

[|When Theatre & Architecture Merge] A group of creatives from various disciplines blurring the boundaries of public and private space. These concepts create a higher level of understanding of public space dynamics. [|Dildoniks] The "Dildoniks" myspace webpage from the article "The neighbourghood is changing" [|The neighbourhood is changing] An article about the way in which public spaces are changing. [|Closing of Dooney’s Cafe] The closing of a cultural space used to discuss ideas. An example of the Annex's slow drift from Bohemian neighbourhood to student populated space. [|Mel’s Montreal Delicatessen] [|Nuit Blanche: Successful in Spite of itself?] A critical look at this years Nuit Blanche event, ways of improvement such as finding more public spaces to house exhibits. Ideas //Thanks for all those you gave me these links!//