Prelude
This first movement of the Suite imparts the feeling of a flowing river through which the visitor can stroll. Granite boulders from the southern edge of the Canadian Shield are placed to represent a streambed with low-growing plants softening its banks. The whole is overtopped by an alley of native Hackberry trees whose straight trunks and regular spacing suggest measures of music.
Allemande
The Allemande is an ancient German dance. Interpreted here as a birch forest, the movement invites the visitor to swirl inward to various contemplative sitting areas, that move higher and higher up the hillside, culminating in a rocky vantage point that looks over the Harbour through a circle of Dawn Redwood trees.
Courante
Originally an Italian and French dance form, the Courante is an exuberant movement that is interpreted here as a huge, upward-spiralling swirl through a lush field of grasses and brightly-coloured perennials that attract birds and butterflies. At the top, a Maypole spins in the wind.
Sarabande
This movement is based on an ancient Spanish dance form. Its contemplative quality is interpreted here as an inward-arcing circle that is enclosed by tall needle-leaf evergreen trees. Envisioned as a poet's corner, the garden's centerpiece is a huge stone that acts as a stage for readings, and holds a small pool with water that reflects the sky.
Menuett
This French dance was contemporary to Bach's time. Its formality and grace are reflected in the symmetry and geometry of this movement's design. Hand-crafted with ornamental steel, a circular pavilion is designed to shelter small musical ensembles or dance groups.
Gigue
The Gigue, or "jig" is an English dance, whose jaunty, rollicking music is interpreted here as a series of giant grass steps that offer views onto the Harbour. The steps form a curved amphitheatre that focus on a stone stage set under a weeping willow tree; a place for informal performances. Shrubs and perennials act as large, enclosing arms, framing views out onto the Harbour.
(1) http://www.toronto.ca/parks/music_index.htm
(2) The images are taken from http://cherishtoronto.blogspot.com/2009/08/visit-to-toronto-music-garden.html
Why did I choose the Toronto Music Garden serve as a precedent for my thesis project?
ReplyDelete1) The idea of the garden is inspired by Music which is ultimately one of the driving forces that lead me to coming up with the idea of working on a project that involves dance.
2) Music is known to heal people. One person shared a story. She was at the hospital going through a health adventure. She needed strength mentally to proceed going through with the procedures that doctors laid upon her system. She had been a fan of Alla Pugacheva, a prominent Russian singer, and continued listening to her songs all throughout her stay at the hospital. She believes that the songs of Alla Pugacheva helped this person heal. I, too, have a similar story to share. When I was at the hospital healing from the Aplastic Anemia two of my friends came over for a visit. They are Bonjay, an uprising duo of two creative souls, Alana Stuart and Dj Pho. They brought with them a CD a mix of songs that Pho put together. I listened to the mix as often as I could during my recovery at the hospital and countlessly afterwards. I believe that the love that came with the music that Alana and Pho shared helped me heal tremendously for which I am extremely grateful to them.
3) When I was at Princess Margaret Hospital there was a garden up on the 16th floor that patients had access to during the day. I thought that it was an incredible idea to have an outdoor space where people who are healing could come out to. There were countless flower pots arranged about the seating areas where patients and doctors as well as the visitors could come in, sit around and enjoy the sun, the sky and the beautiful skyline of the city with the views in all directions. So having an outdoor space where people can come out to and explore the nature is crucial for my thesis project as well.
4) At the site of the Victory Soya Mills Silos there is an outdoor space available for redesign and I plan to incorporate this land into the development of my thesis project. I plan to aim the design of this space on healing. I want to strengthen the importance of people staying outdoors as much as possible during their recovery period in order to heal faster and with better results. So, incorporating outdoor space into the process of my design of the thesis project is crucial and with the Toronto Music Garden as one of the inspirations I intend to create an environment that will also be inspired by music.
5) Outdoor space is associated with air, and air with breathing. In my thesis project I intend to have the space that promotes dance and movement while encouraging breathing that helps additional healing processes to take place.