Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Street light art installation nightmare, Weston residents say

TORONTO - Some Weston residents are in the dark over the purpose of a new city art installation.

And a few will be blinded by the lights as the 30 street lights art structure will be shining in their bedroom windows.

The light display — called Nyctophelia, meaning love of darkness — cost $250,000 and was funded through Section 37 of Toronto’s Planning Act, where developers give a percentage of money from their developments for art projects.

The lights are located on Dennis Ave. — a one-way, eastbound residential street — that meets Weston Rd. south of Eglinton.

The permanent installation, which is expected to be completed this summer, isn’t very visible from Weston until one is right on top of it.

Councillor Frances Nunziata says the community was consulted and approved the art and location in 2009.

“It lights up Weston Rd. It was dark and nothing was happening in that section. The area has been an eye-sore and people complained how ugly it was with weeds and trees,” Nunziata said.

“This will be an incentive to redevelop the strip.”

Sarah Todd lives across the street from the new light show and is in no hurry for it to shine.

“They say it is art … I just don’t get it. It is going to be a waste of hydro,” Todd said.

Area resident Daleon Phillip says the installation doesn’t represent art.

“There are too many lights. It’s just confusion. What were they thinking?” Phillip said. “People are going to have to put foil on their windows to sleep.”

Another Weston resident, Anna Fisico, says there are other locations where the lights would be more suitable.

“It could be put on Black Creek (Dr.) or it could have been put on the part of Eglinton (Ave.) that they are rebuilding and it would have been beautiful,” Fisico said.

“It should be on a main intersection.”
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