Toronto, Ontario; Port Huron, Michigan; East Lansing, Michigan; Galesburg, Illinois; Cantril, Iowa; Iowa City, Iowa; Fairfield, Iowa; Mount Pleasant, Iowa; Oglesby, Illinois; Chicago, Illinois; Lake Forest, Illinois; Evanston, Illinois; Kalamazoo, Michigan; Montreal, Quebec; Quinte West, Ontario; Vancouver, British Columbia
Riverdale Hub: Opening reception for solo exhibition, with #SungmiKong (2025) Blue Fish Top Class #2 amongst the #WhispersOfTheTimeless series shown @Riverdale_Hub gallery. Artist explained difficulties of painting on delicate hanji-paper, the inner bark of the paper mulberry indigenous to Korea. School of fish swimming towards the left represents challenge of grabbing time, should live for the present. (Riverdale Hub, Gerrard Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20250405Riverdale Hub: In the Stained Glass series, #NancyLMoore (2024) Ruby Birch hs been held over at #RiverdaleHub from the In Living Daylight exhibition. Wide landscape painting abstracting nature using loose lines, rich textures and bold colours. On second floor of gallery, as we attended a new show downstairs. (Riverdale Hub, Gerrard Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20250405Berczy Park: Water still turned off at Claude Cormier (2017) fountain with 27 dogs and one cat. In background, Derk Michael Besant (1980) Flatiron Mural, a trompe l’oeil on the Gooderham Building. People lounging in the sun on the chilly day, temperatures still below freezing at night. (Berczy Park, Wellington Street East, Old Town, Toronto, Ontario) 20250406McMurtry Gardens of Justice: Eastmost in the courthouse complex, John Atkin (2017) Access to Justice is a multiple rectangular arches of corten steel, stainless steel, and epoxy painted steel. Title articulates a phrase within the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Viewer can interact with the sculpture with different views, walking around. (McMurtry Gardens of Justice, Osgoode Lane, Toronto, Ontario) 20250406Bluewater Bridge Port of Entry: Thursday noontime crossing into USA, waiting behind a single vehicle in queue. Agent took passports, asked where we were going, and said we were good to go … except we had to wait for trucks transporting radioactive materials to clear on the road ahead. Route west from Sarnia Ontario is stressful than the volumes of Detroit, with only a few small towns across I-69 towards Lansing. (Bluewater Bridge Port of Entry, Port Huron, Michigan) 20250410Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum: Foreground Zaha Hadid (2013, 2015-2017) Aria and Avia, suspended over (2008 design, 2022 fabrication) Orchis. Light conceived as fluid, subtly diffusing over the fixture’s sculptural fins. Four chairs of Carrera marble, shaped like a flower unfolding and peeling away. (Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan) 20250410
Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum: MSU MFA Exhibition Megan Weaver (2022-2024) Re/Dejected cast aluminum self-portrait with pots and pans cascading down from ceiling made of shredded paper. Installation of imaginary kitchen as joyful gathering and self-expression, burdened by isolating expectations of caregiving and domestic work. Practices and spaces of storytelling are shaped by gender. (Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Michigan Statue University, East Lansing, Michigan) 20240410
Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum: The CORE (Center for Object Research and Engagement) basement encourages touching a smaller version of Henry Bertoia (1978) Sonambient. Each person strumming the beryllium copper rods will generate a different experience. Well-designed placement of art works in close proximity encourages engagement by students. (Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan) 20250410
El Rancherito: Unexpected brightness of chairs in Mexican restaurant disarmed us as lunch guests. Speaking with manager, the source of the furniture was Jalisco, the soul of the country. Authentic service, as waitress new to serving customers. (El Rancherito, Henderson Street, Galesburg, Illinois) 20250411Dutchman’s Store: Slight rerouting south of destination to authentic shopping of local produce, before farmers markets are officially open for season. Known as the Amish Walmart, we only visited edges of the grocery section, and avoided the dry goods. Routing through Van Buren county was suggested to us as scenic through southeastern Iowa, just north of Missouri. (Dutchman’s Store, Cantril, Iowa) 20250411Stanley Museum of Art: Abstract impressionism Robert Motherwell (1972-1975) Elegy to the Spanish Republic No. 126 is a response to the violence of human conflict and tragedy of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) with the military coup by General Francisco Franco. Part of the series of over 100 paintings created between 1948 and 1991. Black ovals may represent the death and violence, with a bullfighting tradition potentially connected to war. (Stanley Museum of Art, West Burlington Street, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa) 20250412Stanley Museum of Art: Acquired by U. Iowa only 3 years after its completion, Max Beckmann (1943) Karneval (Carnival) depicts masked festivities of revelry before the Christian period of atonement known as Lent. The German artist had been removed from a teaching position in 1933 by the Third Reich, emigrating to Amsterdam. The three-panel format associated with devotional paintings addresses human behaviour metaphorically. (Stanley Museum of Art, West Burlington Street, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa) 20250412Stanley Museum of Art: Large enough for a human corpse, Eric Adjetey Anang (2017) Fish Coffin was part of a Stanley Museum exhibition of fantasy coffins. Figurative coffins celebrate the profession, status, or accomplishments in Ghana. An aquatic theme is appropriate for sea-related occupations. (Stanley Museum of Art, West Burlington Street, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa) 20250412Centre for Corporate Rehabilitation: Official start of 5-day Banathy Conversation retreat by CSRP Institute in rural setting. Staggered arrivals on airplanes and cars, from Helsinki, New Orleans and Toronto. Dialogue ostensibly in two groups, with overlap briefings on the second day. (Center for Corporate Rehabilitation, Fairfield, Iowa) 20240414Centre for Corporate Rehabilitation: Official photo of the 2025n1 Banathy Conversation participants, in residential retreat on farm in eastern Iowa. Five+ full days of mutual learning, with distractions limited. Two streams on method architecture and of field trainers on systems thinking, with crossover opportunities. (Center for Corporate Rehabilitation, Fairfield, Iowa) 20240414Pad Thai: Field trip to small town America, in midst of residential week on a farm. Drive 30 minutes southeast to town of 8500, restaurant just off the town square. Business owners are immigrants to the USA, friends of the host of our Conversation. (Pad Thai Restaurant, Main Street, Mount Pleasant, Iowa) 20250415Center for Corporate Rehabilitation: Sharing recent find of the 25-volume The Vietnam Experience (1981) books from Time-Life. DLH had taken similar photographs when in service, his mother destroyed them as too grotesque. The country emerged in our looking forward to fall 2025 conversation in Ho Chi Minh City. (Center for Corporate Rehabilitation, Fairfield, Iowa) 20250417Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center: Diorama of 1673 explorations of fur trader Louis Jolliet and Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette, stopping by the village of one of the tribes of the Illinois. Contemporary view of indigenity shade portrayals common from 20th century history texts. Had lunch under covered picnic area, no time to walk the trails. (Starved Rock State Park Visitors Center, Oglesby, Illinois) 20250418
The Green Mill: Arrived just before the 9:30pm second set of Frank Catalano + Randy Brecker. Doorman said room would be mostly standing room, and we should grab any chair available as audience members from first set were leaving. We were fortunate to get seats up front. (The Green Mill, North Broadway, Chicago, Illinois) 20250418
Lake Forest: Visiting home of CMN, lifelong career shifts from tennis pro, to high energy physicist, strategy professor, now jazz pianist. First met him as a graduate school advisor 45 years ago, when I entered my master’s degree program. I recall a day biking the 20 miles up from Evanston to the prior bigger house, and then back. (Lake Forest, Illinois) 20250419
Kitchen 17: Late afternoon lunch in vegan restaurant with attitude. Followed overhead thread of light over bar, across to west wall. Ordered deep dish Chicago style pizza, kitchen prep time estimated at 35-45 minutes. (Kitchen 17, West Diversey Avenue, Chicago, Illinois) 20250419
Kitchen 17: Freshly made deep dish Chicago-style pizza, made with soy cheese and seitan pepperoni. I used to enjoy this specialty in grad school, but gave up dairy 30-some years ago. I managed two slices as DY ate around the crust, leaving more than enough for a picnic on the drive back to Toronto, and a lunch at home. (Kitchen 17, West Diversey Avenue, Chicago, Illinois) 20250419Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago: Fourth floor Fernanda Laguna (2018) I Love It is two panels of acrylic on canvas with cutouts. Feminst artist has cofounded galleries, publishing house, and art education program in Argentina. Works are part of the Descending the Staircase exhibition series. (Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois) 20240419Kabul House: White tablecloth dinner of Afghan cuisine, close to home for international family from grad school days. One retired, while the other is slowly moving out of business. Catching up on kids now adults with their own children, in Hawaii and Delaware. (Kabul House, Dempster Street, Evanston, Illinois) 20250419Milham Park: Bridge across Portage River in 49-acre park on a chilly spring day. Had picnic lunch with windbreak under covered shelter. Unproductive visit to city centre, discovered Kalamazoo was practically vacant on Easter Sunday afternoon. (Milham Park, East Kilgore Road, Kalamazoo, Michigan) 20250420Jimmy Simpson Recreation Centre: Last day of advance poll for Canada federal election. Queue winding upstairs to second floor was a 30 minute wait, poll for surname in last half of alphabet had DY finished 15 minutes earlier. Unexpected crowd at 4:00pm, voters must have already made up their minds. (Jimmy Simpson Recreation Centre, Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20250421Corkin Gallery: Surrealist #ChristianButterfield (2024) Cold No. 6 – Up Up Higher is acrylic and collage on canvas. Order and disorder are in contrast with sculpted geometric shapes and colours, with newspaper clippings reflecting the oversaturation of media. Vulnerability and reflection is evoked in the declarations of consumer culture, societal pressure, and/or interpersonal strains. (Corkin Gallery, Tank House Gallery, Distillery District, Toronto, Ontario) 20250422Case Goods Lane: Overhead lamp shades strung over the narrow passage may now be weathered by years of cold winters. Live-work spaces of the Artscape Distillery Studios were vacated in 2021 at the end of the 20-year lease from Cityscape Development. East end of lane terminates with white facade of The Gooderham Condos. (Case Goods Lane, Distillery District, Toronto, Ontario) 20250422Electric Mind: Exploring the possibility of a renewed Systems Thinking TO, #ChrisChapman convened a ST/TO: One More Pass Through the Loop session. The last in-person event met in 2019, and then the Covid pandemic interrupted a regeneration. The group put post-it notes up on the whiteboard as reflections on features of prior success, and prospects when many professionals haven’t returned to downtown office towers every day. (Electric Mind, Adelaide Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20250424Milton Parc neighbourhood: Adding roe to salmon sashimi grapefruit salad, preparing dinner for 7. Masterful menu management avoiding dietary restrictions of family, including mussels paella and osso bucco. Large apartment in a former church nearby McGill University campus. (Milton Parc neighbourhood, Rue Jeanne-Mance, Montreal, Quebec) 20250425Milton Parc neighbourhood: Trains and automobiles to convene at residence of nephew in final undergrad year. This home also serves as central venue for McGill Wine Society events, students will compete in France next month. Syrah and Sauternes at dinner, not spitting this evening. (Milton Parc neighbourhood, Rue Jeanne-Mance, Montreal, Quebec) 20250425Galerie de l’UQAM: Diptych Veronique Gauthier (2023-2024) Inherente, Exuvie oil on canvas. Needed translation from Latin for exuviae, that are the remains of an exoskeleton after insects, crustaceans and arachnids have molted. Part of the Open Passage 2025 exhibition, of graduates of the Bachelor of Visual and Media Arts program at UQAM. (Galerie de la Université du Québec à Montréal, Pavillon Judith-Jasmin, Rue Berri, Montréal, Quebec) 20250426Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal: Curated corner foreground Yinka Shonibare (2018) Pan, fibreglass sculpture. Background Edward Ruscha (1986) Untitled from Silhouette series, airbrush acrylic of elephant lumbering uphill. Right photograph Zanele Muholi (2016) Phila I Parktown, self-portrait. (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal, Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec) 20250426Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal: Aluminum relief Frank Stella (1990) The Pitchpoling D-17, 2X. Inspired by Herman Melville (1851) Moby Dick novel, type of harpooning with a lance. Chaotic and explosive surface, negative spaces with silhouettes. (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal, Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec) 20250426Restaurant Chinatown Kim Fung: Pre-theatre family dinner, including dim sum for cousins who don’t get the option as often as we do. Second order of main dishes left much to take home. Short walk away from Places des Artes. (Restaurant Chinatown Kim Fung, Rue Sainte-Urbain, Montreal, Quebec) 20240426Place des Arts: Seven seats ready for Saturday night performance of touring company for Mean Girls, The Musical. Nephew in cast, in Montreal for 6 days, following Dallas, Texas, and before Boston, Massachusetts. We preferred visiting Quebec, rather than London Ontario in late May. (Place des Arts, Rue Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, Quebec) 20250426Place des Arts: Cast of Mean Girls The Musical taking bows on Saturday night performance. Owen Kent Ing stepping up from ensemble role to Kevin G this evening. He will have appeared in 150 shows by end of tour, having joined the company last year. (Place des Arts, Rue Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, Quebec) 20250426Yoyo: Post-theatre dessert with family, discussing Mean Girls The Musical. We had planned to hold up letters in the theatres as the cast was taking bows, but audience rose too quickly. Continued evening in hotel lobby until after midnight. (Yoyo, Rue Sainte-Catherine Est, Montreal, Quebec) 20250426Parc Sans Gluten: First stop on the way home was a specialty bakery. Consuming in the car, described the chocolate croissant as enjoyable and flaky, although he doesn’t have previous experience with the butter and wheat version. The bakery was discovered on a prior trip to the city. (Parc Sans Gluten, Avenue du Parc-La Fontaine Plateaux, Montréal, Quebec) 20250427St. Viateur Bagel: Pilgramage for Montreal bagels (not Montreal-style) fresh from the oven. Samples on entry of avocado cream cheese, plus spicy avocado non-dairy, suggest a Quebec version of avocado toast. Plastic freezer bag offered in addition to paper bags. (St. Viateur Bagel, St. Viateur Ouest, Montreal, Quebec) 20250427St. Viateur Bagel: Possibly obsessive purchase, it’s unclear how many bagels will be consumed in a few days, and how many into freezer. One dozen poppyseed, 6 sesame, 6 blueberry, 2 pumpernickel, plus assorted others. Resorted into plastic bags on the drive in traffic. (St. Viateur Bagel, St. Viateur Ouest, Montreal, Quebec) 20250427Snowden Deli: Away from city centre, deli has been a Montreal institution since 1946. Single order of smoked meat platter with rye bread and fries was sufficient for three diners. Broader menu included smoked whitefish chunks appetizer with salad, plus potato latkes with applesauce and sour cream. (Snowden Deli, Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec) 20250427Lock #1 Trent Severn Waterway: National Historic site, just south of busy Highway 401, Lock 1 is southernmost, and first of 44. Constructed 1908-1912, the boats can be raised 18 feet up from the level of the Bay of Quinte. Thicker concrete allowed for wagon valves chambers along side walls, rather than more expensive sluice gates. (Lock #1 Trent-Severn Waterway, Trenton, Quinte West, Ontario) 20250427Full House Chinese Cuisine: Dim sum is better when there’s more than 2 people, but variety doesn’t come in smaller quantities. For someone with a reputation of eating a lot of meal, he seemed to be enjoying green vegetables more today. I consumed most of the vegan dishes, the rest was packed up for home. (Full House Chinese Cuisine, Finch Avenue East, Scarborough, Ontario) 20250430
YVR: Arrived in Vancouver for a 6 day visit, airplane departure was late waiting for crew. Baggage is coming on next flight, and will be delivered tomorrow, we left house too late for check in cutoff. Rideshare was caught in downtown congestion, malfunctioning elevator at UP Express Union Station meant hoisting suitcases up two flights. (YVR Vancouver International Airport, British Columbia) 20250430
Toronto, Ontario
Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Building: Assisting in 3-hour Soft Systems Methodology exercise with students sketching at whiteboards in Designing for Future Systems course at York University. Followed an hour lecturing on the traditions in systems thinking, and the research our team has been doing since 2019. Long transit connection from Riverside neighbourhood to University Heights, remembering that third son commuted for four years before the subway was completed. (Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Building, The Pond Road, York University, Toronto, Ontario) 20250304
The Goldfarb Gallery: Airbrush on crepe de chine suspended from ceiling, #MaryamTaghavi (2023) Horizon Series, Michigan 2, 3, 4, 5 hang, still so motion is introduced by observers. Artist draws from traditions in Islamic calligraphy and Persian architecture. Gallery takes advantage of large space available on suburban campus between two buildings housing the School of the Arts, Media, Performance, and Design), a luxury compared to universities downtown. (The Goldfarb Gallery, Accolade East Building, York University, Toronto, Ontario) 20250304
Full House Chinese Cuisine: Mango cream cake after dim sum to celebrate birthday that officially appears on immigration papers. Actual age on lunar calendar may place father a year older. Followed lunch with four rounds of mahjong, back at the retirement home. (Full House Chinese Cuisine, Finch Avenue East, Scarborough, Ontario) 20250309
Mahjong Bar: Couples night out to catch first DJ set. Not our usual scene. We each tried one of the recommended mocktails. (Mahjong Bar, Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20250313
Mahjong Bar: Premiere DJ set by @TheloniusPoon. Musically trained, now twisting knobs. Busy Thursday night, crowd celebrating friend’s birthday. (Mahjong Bar, Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20250313 #TheloniusPoon
OCADU Graduate Programs: Guest lecture by @zaid___khan relating continuing learning of #SystemsThinking since graduating @OCADU_SFI , in class led by @xformbydesign . Single-minded takeway is TIME FIRST, SPACE SECOND. Slide deck titled Thinking with Time: A Brief Introduction to #SystemsChangesLearning (OCADU Graduate Programs, Richmond Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20250319Pape Village: Family dinner including god-uncles who have seen our sons grow up from infancy. Cross-cultural experience, comparing journeys in travels to Asia. Invitation was extended twice, due to inconvenient minor illnesses conflicting with plans. (Pape Village, Broadview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20250320Nathan Phillips Square: Address by @MayorOliviaChow at #ElbowsUp Canada rally celebrating Canada’s strength, unity, and resilience, in response to U.S. president commenting on a 51st state. The term Elbows Up came from the hockey tactic of Gordie Howe protecting himself. Thousands of attendees with children and pets came out as the temperature dropped to near-freezing. (Nathan Phillips Square, Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20250322
Woodbine Beach: Cloudy, windy day to view Solair (2025) installation designed by Toronto Metropolitan University Department of Architectural Science @dastorontomet . Laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC @tmudaslabs . Arrived towards dusk, but no bright sunlight to get a reflection effect. (Woodbine Beach, Lake Shore Boulevard East, Toronto, Ontario) 20250325
Woodbine Beach: Geometric #WinterStations#JesseBeus (2025) Parade, celebrates self-acceptance of distinctiveness. Named Boxy (red), Slippy (orange), Sunny (yellow), Jadey) green, Shady (blue), and Big Purp (purpole). Extra support of the last shape may have resulted from shifting sands? (Woodbine Beach, Lake Shore Boulevard East, Toronto, Ontario) 20250325Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre: Parallel workshop on Why Not Wait? What is the Pace of Your Change? by #DanEng + #EvgenyaNee at Toronto #ChangeDays. Exercised first half of #SystemsChanges framework in 90 minutes. Small group discussions were rich, some participants will complete the approach in subsequent meetings. (Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Sakura Way, Toronto, Ontario) 20250329
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre: At Toronto #ChangeDays, small clusters were formed after a gallery walk viewing a variety of figures drawn on flip charts, self-selecting an affinity group. Incomplete petal form attracted #EvgenyaNee, #FrankRossDiMatteo, #AeenAlavi + #DavidIng, and we sketched additional shapes and lines reflecting our thoughts. On second day, all participants reviewed the progress, and left post-notes with their impressions. (Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Sakura Way, Toronto, Ontario) 20250330
Full House Chinese Cuisine: Dim sum lunch for Lunar New Year had been deferred, family schedules have been busy. Youngest son arrived first with hunger, placed triple orders beyond the capacity of our stomaches. Quality food, good service, no crowds on weekends, this restaurant is becoming a favourite. (Full House Chinese Cuisine, Finch Avenue East, Scarborough, Ontario) 20250209Milliken Mills East neighbourhood: Friendly family game of mahjong with one master and three novices. Relaxed pace, as we’re discovering the tactics of finishing off a hand to win. Not a regular player, I discovered that I picked up a few heuristics from a childhood of watching parents play with Northern Ontario Chinese diaspora. (Milliken Mills East neighbourhood, Markham, Ontario) 20250209Four Winds Hollow neighbourhood, Mississauga: Annual Superbowl party, with the younger crowd coalescing around the kitchen table in front of a big screen. Turned down audio volume and relied on closed captioning, as our conversation was not related to sports. Enjoyed BBQ burgers from outside grill, weekend snow relented for a few hours. (Four Winds Hollow neighbourhood, Mississauga, Ontario) 20250209OCADU Graduate Programs: Full house at #SystemsThinking Ontario session on “Evolving Styles for Learning Systems Thinking”, relating history and updates in progress for Understanding Systems course in OCADU SFI program. Relaxed conversation with some current students, alumni, and extended community in Toronto. Restarted tradition of post-session dinner on Queen Street West. https://wiki.st-on.org/2025-02-13 (OCADU Graduate Programs, Richmond Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20250213Bakery Lane: Timed Sunday afternoon snow shovelling by hand, clearing 17cm accumulation in front of garage with precipitation ending within the hour. Plows might come to laneway by Tuesday if we’re lucky, aimed for a zone where car won’t get stuck. Placing snowbanks is an art, so that neighbours aren’t blocked. (Bakery Lane, Riverside neighbourhood, Toronto, Ontario) 20250216Pape Village: Family Day dinner combined with deferred birthday recognition. Joined by winter storm refugee with cancelled train to Montreal. City streets moving slowly with only major routes cleared. (Pape Village, Broadview Avenue, East York, Ontario) 20250217Assured Automotive: Three-vehicle collision that occurred 23 days ago, finally admitted our vehicle for body work with 7 to 9 days estimate to repair. Adjuster assessed not our fault, the driver in curb lane probably didn’t check blind spot, and turned left to hit the front bumper. Had “damage reported to police” sticker, car was functional except front passenger door was jammed. (Assured Automotive, King Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20250219Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre: Advance poll for provincial election called early since last vote in 2022. Three days after big snowfall, sidewalks and side streets are still to be cleared. Wondering if winter obstacles encourage more voters who are unhappy with the incumbent ruling party. (Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre, Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20250220
Queen Street East at Saulter Street: Thursday night walk home, discovered last leg on transit interrupted by construction. Workers on site around the clock to replace new rails and concrete. Estimated one week to complete, this means minor annoyance to walk 2 streetcar stops. (Queen Street East at Saulter Street, Riverside neighbourhood, Toronto, Ontario) 20250227Soulpepper Theatre: Cast of Kim’s Convenience taking bows for performance, announced as extended twice before moving on to San Francisco. We didn’t see the original production, and noted the pacing as considerably faster than we experienced with the tv show. Following the family pattern of attending local Asian-Canadian plays. (Soulpepper Theatre Co., Tank House Lane, Distillery District, Toronto, Ontario) 20250228
Pizzaiolo Avenue Road: Lunch out on New Year’s Day reduces choices in restaurants. With Chinese food served three meals per day in the retirement home, pizza is a change for those who have lived in Canada for decades. Deal for two medium pies is convenient for ordering toppings on the second as vegan. (Pizzaiolo, Avenue Road, Nortown, Toronto, Ontario) 20250101
Centennial Park Conservatory: Show house with poinsettia plants is one of three greenhouses, beside the tropical house in the centre, and cactus house at the other end. Enjoyed the garden maintained by the City of Toronto, open 365 days per year. Walked 5 laps around the greenery. (Centennial Park Conservatory, Elmcrest Road, Etobicoke, Ontario) 20250101
Mr. Ed’s PoBoy Shop: Switching from ET to CT, early dinner before sunset in the French Quarter. Oyster platter full of fries, large catfish poboy, and jambalaya spicier than DY normally likes. Emphasis on fried food and paucity of green vegetables noted, we’ll have to keep an eye out for healthy vegan options. (Mr. Ed’s PoBoy Shop, Iberville Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250110
Mr. Ed’s PoBoy Shop: Fun neighbourhood feel in the most casual branch of a well-known restaurant group known for its oysters. We declined to sit by the window with the wintry wind at the door, and bar stools are too spirited for us. Located on a quieter street in the French Quarter, tourists may not have found this place opened 3 months ago. (Mr. Ed’s PoBoy Shop, Iberville Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250110
Bourbon Street: Strolling through clubbing district on Friday 7:30pm, only a few bars are close enough to have loud music duelling loudly to attract customers. Foot traffic seemed light, maybe a combination of chilly temperatures, and the early hour. We started walking from Canal Street to the west, where memorials to the vehicle attack on crowds are still fresh, through to a dark Jackson Square. (Bourbon Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250110
Mahogany Jazz Hall: From the street outside the renowned jazz club, we caught a few minutes of the Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet near the end of the early evening set. In the first few hours after arriving in the city, we had opted to wander around Bourbon Street to get a feel or the district. The apartment building where we are staying is literally wrapped around this music venue. (Mahogany Jazz Hall, Chartres Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250110
Canal Street, south of Bourbon Street: One week after the vehicle attack on pedestrains, a memorial for each of the victims has been placed on the east sidewalk by the curb. A large truck has been placed at the entry to Bourbon Street, blocking traffic. Waiting on the median for a streetcar, we could see mourners paying respects. (Canal Street, south of Bourbon Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250111
Canal Street, north of Harrah Casino streetcar stop: Watched streetcar 47 Canal Street to Cemeteries pivot from southbound to northbound, pausing beside the 48 Canal Street to City Park before leaving. We were waiting for streetcar 49 Union Pacific Terminal to Riverfront for 15 minutes, and then checked the RTA map forecasting more than another 30 minute wait. We instead walked the Riverfront alongside the Mississippi River to the French Market district. (Harrah Casino streetcar stop, Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250111
Jackson Square: Cold shade on St. Peter St., but warming sun down Chartres Street, as Glory Land Brass Band winds down a set facing The Cabildo. Music was reflected all the way over to Decatur Street towards the Waterfront. This style of jazz seems better heard outdoors, from a tradition before electronic amplification was invented. (Jackson Square, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250111
Blue Nile: Doors to the club were open to the cold, with driving groove inviting visitors to listen to the George Brown Band. The trombonist was leading the bassist, pianist and drummer, with the trumpeter stepping in on this tune. All of the seats in the venue were already taken, my legs were too tired to last another set. (Blue Nile, Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250111
Frenchmen Art Bazaar: Market for handmade and artistic works doesn’t open until 6pm, showing that Frenchman Street doesn’t come alive until evenings. A little farther north than the jazz clubs, it’s not the recorded music that draws in visitors. Families with children noticeable in the district. (Frenchmen Art Bazaar, Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250111
Frenchmen Art Bazaar: Holdover from holiday season theme has throne in jungle lit up with shooting stars. DY had to wait her turn, until a father removed his child. Evening finished with a walk back through Bourbon Street, noisier with more partiers on Saturday night. (Frenchmen Street Bazaar, Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250111
The Presbytere: Second floor of norh wing of museum focuses on history of Mardi Gras, and the regalia associated with its parades. The Krewe du Vieux continues the Carnaval tradition of parody and irreverence mocking both local and international foibles. First floor was less joyous, with a review of living with hurricanes, especially learning from the failure of levees with Hurricane Katrina in in August 2005. (The Presbytere, Chartres Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250112
Louis Armstrong Park: Walking northwest on Dumaine Street out of the French Quarter into Treme, Tivoli Gardens was the inspiration for the eastern extension of Congo Square. Lagoons are crossed on foot over multiple bridges. Green space was largely unoccupied on a cold January day. (Louis Armstrong Park, North Rampart Street at Dumaine Street, Treme, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250112
Hunters Field: Walked northeast under I-10 overhead freeway for some blocks to track down a traditional parade in Treme, with tractors pulling floats up front, and a brass band following with the second line of pedestrians joining the festivities. We could see the flashing lights of police escorts ahead of slow-moving vehicles from blocks away, directing traffic away from the mess. Event had started late due to the rain, we stood at intersection maybe 2 hours along the route, with another hour to continue. (Hunters Field, North Claiborne Avenue at St. Bernard Avenue, Treme, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250112
Hunters Field: In the pause after the first float onboard krewes offered throws to the spectators, many strings of beads were just left on the ground to be picked up. After Epiphany, the Twelfth Night of January 6 passes in New Orleans, the Carnaval season begins, many weeks towards a crescendo on Mardi Gras. On the home stretch for the parade, we noticed groups dressed in matching colours, increasing the crowd joining the parade to its end. (Hunters Field, North Claiborne Avenue at St. Bernard Avenue, Treme, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250112
Hunters Field: Had found the listing for a second line parade with Dumaine Street Ladies Auxiliary, and so expected a brass band. The revelling pedestrians joined as dancers swamped the crowd, so we could barely hear the musicians, let alone identify them. After seeing the tubas pass, the police cars closed off the end of the procession. (Hunters Field, North Claiborne Avenue at St. Bernard Avenue, Treme, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250112
The Maison: Late afternoon on Frenchmen Street, discovered the Cigar Box Serenaders playing interesting tunes, so we stopped in for dinner. Musical instruments are all homemade from upcycled materials, including a guitar with neck added to a cigar box, electric bass made of a dresser drawer, and drums including the floor bass with a turned over plastic garbage can. Repertoire is wide-ranging, including a surf rock and Scott Joplin. (The Maison, Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250112
Cafe Negril: Expected Tri-Fi to be a piano-drums-bass, arrived to hear organ-drums-guitar-saxophone. Keyboardist was dancing on foot pedals for low notes, to free up left hand. Live performances are different from recordings, audiences sometimes like improvisation on top of familiar tunes. (Cafe Negril, Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250112
Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans: Small wooden maquette of bleachers on the floor projects a large shadow with #ChristopherCozier (2024) It Had Already Been Decided. Reflection on privilege and power of watching others, with histories of colonialization, spectacle and resource extraction. Outdoor sculpture has been produced at full scale cross town. (Contemporary Arts Center, Camp Street, New Orleans) 20250113
Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans: Subtle hiss suggesting a methane gas leak #HannahChalew (2024) Orphan Well Gamma Garden investigates impact of oil and gas pipelines. Salvaged wellhead repurposed as nourishing fountain for living plants. Plasticane mixes shredded reclaimed plastic with waste sugarcane fibrous waste. (Contemporary Arts Center, Camp Street, New Orleans) 20250113
Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans: Room-filling #JeannetteEhlers 2020/2024 We’re Magic, We’re Real #2 rotating ball with ominous sounds. Planet of synthetic afro hair examines identity in African diaspora. Makeshift universe of reflective emergency blankets. (Contemporary Arts Center, Camp Street, New Orleans) 20250113
Ogden Museum of Southern Art: Painting by Louisiana native Dickie Landry (1996) [Ogden] Red Split is in the permanent collection in New Orleans. After teaching in a rural school for 2 years, moved to New York in 1969 as a musician, then becoming a photographer influenced by abstract expressionism. Established as a saxophonist and composer, he moved back to Louisiana in 1995. (Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Camp Street, New Orleans) 20250113
New Orleans Museum of Art: Installed on wall on second floor, #LeonardoDrew (2016) Number 59S sculpture resembles debris. Gridded surfaces and protruding tree limbs and branches come from memories of landfill adjacent to childhood public housing project. History of harsh, crowded environments of American inner cities. (New Orleans Museum of Art, Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250114
New Orleans Museum of Art: Staged together (i) #JoyceLin (2022) Ghostwood Chair and Table, with (ii) #MarcelWanders (2017) Born, Raised, and Protected Chandelier. Driftwood was shaped by water, desaturated by sun, darkened by fire. Light fixture references a cloud, but barbed wire nests fragile glass eggs. (New Orleans Museum of Art, Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250114
Cafe du Monde City Park: Beignets and cafe au lait with chicory at midday, in the more spacious branch a 30-minute streetcar ride north. We visited the more famous location in the French Market, opting against the mob under the dark tent. Eating the French donut leaves powdered sugar on clothes. (Cafe Du Monde City Park, Dreyfous Drive, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250114
Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden: Unlikely to close to safety, Coosje van Bruggen + Claes Oldenburg 1999 Corridor Pin, Blue looms overhead. Pop art renders banal objects in disproportion to evoke humour and wonder, reminding us of the everyday. Multiple copies of the sculpture were produced, set in alternate geographies. (Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20240114
The Spotted Cat: Caught last set of a 4-hour afternoon slot by #ChrisChristy Band, playing original contemporary tunes in a town with many traditional sounds. Seating in small venue was full on a Tuesday afternoon. Might have arrived earlier, but another unsuccessful wait for an waterfront streetcar delayed starting another trek across the French Quarter. (The Spotted Cat Music Club, Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 202141116
Bird Island Preserve, Audubon Park: Thousands of Black Bellied Whistling Ducks exhibited sociable behaviour with noisy wheezy sounds. The mostly non-migratory species unusually nests in trees, and enjoys Louisiana weather. We only strolled on the east side of the large park, on the way to Tulane University. (Bird Island Preserve, Audubon Park, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250115
Academic Quad, Tulane University: The Bead Three sculpture, installed in 2020, is a trio of 21-foot steel rods, where students toss their Carnaval throws especially during Mardi Gras season. This installation replaced the former Bead Tree that was struck by lightning and then infested with termites. Happened onto campus near noontime class change, with student travelling many directions. (Academic Quad, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250115
Chill Out Cafe: Mixed some academic exchange with prior scheduled vacation, lunch with some faculty from #TaylorCenter for #SocialInnovation and #DesignThinking. Outlined the 10-year journey of the #SystemsChanges Learning Circle, and teaching at #OCADU. Learned about Tulane U. program after 10-years. new emphasis on building collaborative capacity. (Chill Out Cafe, Burdette Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250115
Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane: Illuminated by windowed ceiling, Clarissa Tossin (2024) We Are Stardust has blue chiffon fabric hanging in parallel. Celestial shapes populate each translucent sheet bearing the national flag of a country. Conundrum of nation states claiming of-world territories, and private companies commercializing. Background Clarissa Tossin (2022) Future Georgraphy: The Five Galaxies of Stephen’s Quintet. (Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane, St Charles Avenue New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250115
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1: Commissioned in 1832, the most famous residents interred in this non-denominational necropolis are the Mayfair Witches, created by Anne Rice in _The Witching Hour_. This graveyard is closed to vistors for repair work and maintenance, levelling sidewalks and removing trees. Movies filmed here include Interview with a Vampire (1994) and Double Jeopardy (1999). (Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, Washington Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250115
Jon Cleary | When You Get Back | Chickee Wah Wah | 2025-01-15:: Coming off a jazz cruise, Jon Cleary filled the room with his solo piano and singing. New Orleans isn’t just about jazz, as we’ve been exploring musicians playing funk. Appreciative audience filled room on a rainy Wednesday night, as we took a short streetcar and bus ride out of the more popular Bourbon Street district. (Chickee Wah Wah, Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250115
Congo Square: Off the southwest edge of Louis Armstrong Park, Sheleen Jones (2010) New Orleans Marching Brass Band depicts trombonist, saxophonist, trumpeter, snare drummer, bass drummer, and tubaist, as part of the Roots of Music Cultural Garden. The Black Code of 1724 established Sunday as a nonworking day, but it wasn’t until 1817 that Congo Square was declared as a place where Africans could dance and be merry. In 1940, this is where the first jazz festival was held. (Congo Square, North Rampart Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250116
St Roch Cemetery No. 1 ~ Campo Santo: Further northeast than most tourists would go, this Catholic cemetery and chapel was built on a 1874 promise by a priest if the congregation was spared the yellow feature outbreak. Vaults positioned above ground, due to the high water table in the region. Visitation of the chapel is available on the first Friday of the month. (St Roch Cemetery No. 1 ~ Campo Santo, St. Roch Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250116
St Roch Market: Originally built in 1838 as a city market in the New Marigny neighbourhood, and renovated in 1875 and 1950s, the building became a supermarket and then Chinese restaurant. Damaged with Hurricane Katrina and the levee failures in 2005, the mayor campaigned for state and federal funding to restore the building. In 2014, the city leased the building to a private business modernizing into a multi-tenant food hall. (St Roch Market, South Claude Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250116
30°/-90°: Soul-jazz trio with #Organami with #AaronWalker drums, #MattGalloway guitar, #TrisDuncan organ. Wearing a Maple Leafs shirt and originating from Toronto, the drummer discovered two couples in audience also visiting from up north. This was the fourth music club on Frenchman Street that we visited, arriving in time to hear two full sets. (30°/-90°, 520 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250116
St. Peters Street: Walking back from Frenchman Street through Jackson Square, heard brass band and saw crowd walking north. Caught up to find wedding couple dancing with the Jaywalkers Second Line Band, celebrating with music. Unclear how many people were part of the procession, and how many chose to follow the group to Pat O’Brien’s pub. (St. Peter Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250116
Historic New Orleans Collection: On 1985 acquisition Francois Fleischbein (1837) Free Woman of Color, local conservator determined funny lace collar and now were not original, and painted over without authorization. In 2016, another conservator examined and discovered collar and bow had been overpainted rather than removed. In 2017, a new conservator uncovered these features to restore to original appearance. (Historic New Orleans Collection – Seignouret-Brulatour building, 520 Royal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250117
Historic New Orleans Collection: Reproduction (1927) Green Dragon Brand Dry Pack Shrimp crate label was a product of the Chinese-owned Quong Sun Company founded in 1873, with Chinatown around Tulane Avenue and South Rampart Street. In 1926 the company moved to St. Louis Street in the French Quarter, eventually changing its name to Gulf Food Products. In the 1930s, many other Chinese businesses relocated along Bourbon Street, when it was an immigrant district. (Historic New Orleans Collection – Seignouret-Brulatour building, 520 Royal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250117
Historic New Orleans Collection: Aeolian electric player pipe organ was installed in the 1920s by tobacco magnate William Ratcliffe for home entertainment. Restored and updated with MIDI controller by the Holtkamp Organ Company. Guests would ride the electric elevator to the third floor to hear the pipes in the walls of in this Seignouret-Brulatour Building. (Historic New Orleans Collection – Seignouret-Brulatour building, 520 Royal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250117
Historic New Orleans Collection: Historic New Orleans Collection: Cafe had King Cake available by the slice, a tradition during Carnaval season leading up to Mardi Gras some weeks away. Reminiscent of cinnamon roll pastry, this style had French cream cheese filling. No baby figure was found in our segment, bakeries only started producing 7 days ago, at Twelfth Night. (Historic New Orleans Collection – Seignouret-Brulatour building, 520 Royal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250117
The Cabildo: Dark style of George Rodrigue (1973) Sugar Bridge over Coulée (Straub’s Coulée) emerged over three years. Found contrast between Texas with wide open spaces and large sky, compared to Cajun landscape as closed, dark, with very small sky. An early work in the Before the Blue Dog exhibition. (The Cabildo, Louisiana State Museum, Chartres Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250117
The Cabildo: The first in the Blue Dog series, George Rodrigue (1984) Watchdog, remembering his mother’s story about loup-garou, a werewolf-like creature of Cajun folktales. Starting from a photograph of his deceased dog Tiffany, the colour blue suggests moonlight streaming from above. For the next 25 years, this imagery would become the focus of his studio practice. (The Cabildo, Louisiana State Museum, Chartres Street, New Orleans, Louisiana) 20250117
OCADU Graduate Programs: Guest lecture by @redesign while in town, for a @OCADU_SFI class he originated, now led by @XformbyDesign. Reviewed current community around @RSDSymposium, with history back to two systems thinking classes becoming one. Content-full day for students on the second week of class. (OCADU Graduate Programs, Richmond Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20250122
Pape Village: First family dinner of the year accidentally formal, falling on Lunar New Year’s Day. Catching up on stories of January visits to India, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand. May become the new regular periodic venue, since home remodelling of kitchen and dining room are done. (Pape Village, Broadview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20250129
Kensington Eye Institute: Highly efficient cataract procedure seemed less involved than some dental surgery I’ve had. Put into chair, with simultaneous application of drops in eyes, blood pressure cuff, and IV into back of hand. Wheeled into operating room, with doctor and anesthesiologist for less than 10 minutes, then wheeled out to waiting room for pick up release. (Kensington Eye Institute, College Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20250131
Toronto, Ontario; Markham, Ontario; Richmond Hill, Ontario
Gourmet Malaysia Restaurant: Family lunch starting with vegan versions of roti canal, mock chicken, mock shrimp, spring rolls, and mango salad. Beef rendang ordered on special request. First in a series of December events, it’s a busy month not only for holidays, but for birthdays. (Gourmet Malaysia Restaurant, Sheppard Avenue East, Scarborough, Ontario) 20241207
Industrial Arts, Steelcase Art Projects: Hanging by the west window and a partially demolished wall, Deanne Gene (2024) Self-Inventory might be described as a shield, or a nest with portholes. Following the Face/Waste multi-artist exhibition, the artwork is made of garbage, including a lot of plastic bags, invasive plants, and kitchen discards. Large space in the northern suburbs, the family arrived with the first snowfall outside. (Industrial Arts, Steelcase Art Projects, Steelcase Road East, Markham, Ontario) 20241207
St. Michaels Hospital: Walked in for x-ray of left knee, images taken with pant legs rolled up in standing position, and lying down horizontally for skyline view. Pain that started a few days ago is subsiding, but family practice is thorough in trying to determine cause at appointment next week. Excellent health care system in Ontario! (St. Michael’s Hospital, Queen Sttreet East, Toronto, Ontario) 20241209
St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica: A quiet oasis in the middle of the city, occupied by only maybe 5 worshippers late on a Monday afternoon in December. Completed and blessed in 1848, the current state of the church shows how buildings well-maintained can endure. Just down the street from the St. Michael’s College School, and the hospital. (St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20241209
Centre for Social Innovation Spadina: Accommodating a request for vegan hot chocolate drink with crumbled candy canes, on top of whipped coconut cream. Dinner included delicious Afghan aush soup noodles with beans, we couldn’t figure out the mystery spices from looking up recipes online. CSI Holiday Party at Spadina location, after years going to Annex, got to meet some new people and missed some regulars. (Centre for Social Innovation, Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20241212
Koffler Arts: Community group Sketch Working Arts (2022) Hear Us is a graffitied phone booth ironically without a phone. Originally was part of Reconstructions of Home public art exhibition shown on The Bentway in spring 2022. Temporarily part of the Another Decade show celebrating artists who have called the Youngplace hub a working home. (Koffler Arts, Youngplace, Shaw Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20241213
Koffler Arts: In foreground, Flavio Bell (2024) Spherox is a transparent tower box full of colourful hollow balls of many diameters. In the background, dia assembly by non-speaking autistic artist Adam Wolfond with critical disabilities researcher Estee Klar. Pieces showing in the Another Decade exhibition at the Youngplace community hub. (Koffler Arts, Youngplace, Shaw Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20241213
California Sandwiches: Afternoon walking tour from Little Portugal led into Little Italy, to sample original Toronto veal sandwich in kaiser bun, with eggplant sandwich for me. He said it was larger than a cake that he might have had to celebrate his birthday. Continued over to Cafe Diplomatico, a neighbourhood restaurant where it’s still possible to order just a cup of Americano. (California Sandwiches, Claremont Street, Toronto) 20241213
Tranzac Club: Relaxed gig with #ColletteSavard lead vocal without instruments, as broken arm not full recovered. #KevinBarrett lead guitar, #RebeccaCampbell guitar, #MeganWorthy keyboards, #JohnSwitzer bass. #MartinWorthy drums. Easy groove on Copper Moon, with space for guitar solo. Southern Cross space is barely larger than a livingroom, friendly audience would seem to include a lot or regulars. (Tranzac Club, Brunswick Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20241214
Denison Centre: Mid-morning extended family intercept meeting to accommodate conflicting lunch schedules. Hard to keep track of cousins’ kids growing up. Chose seating outside Chinese bakery in suburban mall as on the path to destinations. (Denison Centre, Denison Street, Markham, Ontario) 20241214
Perfect Chinese Restaurant: Simultaneous pull of party crackers at extended family lunch, with table for the youngers, and table for the elders. Wide variety of Chinese dishes to meet the spending minimum for private room, so many leftovers sent home afterwards. Karaoke bridging from boomers to Gen Z requires selective musical choices. (Perfect Chinese Restaurant, Sheppard Avenue East, Scarborough, Ontario) 20241214
Perfect Chinese Restaurant: Extended family group shot, in pause after long series of Chinese courses, before dessert soup was served. Karaoke subsequently ensued, in the private room. A rare opportunity to gather cousins a little farther out of town for a relaxed Sunday afternoon. (Perfect Chinese Restaurant, Sheppard Avenue East, Scarborough, Ontario) 20241214
Riverside neighbourhood: Following the family tradition of stuffed stockings on Christmas Eve, we do have a fireplace that contains a television, not logs. Untraditional holiday dinner of pizza, avocado salad, and mango coconut tapioca pudding. For my birthday, I requested not gifts of more things, but instead decluttering a house for fewer things. (Riverside neighbourhood, Toronto, Ontario) 20241224
Dragon Pearl York Mills: Christmas Day lunch buffet, after an hour of sampling selections. Served as sherpa for my father making choices, roast beef and bacon aren’t normally served in his retirement home with Chinese residents. Subsequent food coma for most, with some having to look forward to dinner with families on a separate lineage. (Dragon Pearl Buffet, York Mills Road, Don Mills, Ontario) 20241225
Jefferson Richmond Hill: Deep fog on suburban street just south of Oak Ridges Morraine. Extra caution required on the drive 40km north of downtown Toronto. Saturday lunch with cousins, including out-of-town family members. (Jefferson Richmond Hill, Ontario) 20241228<
Jefferson Richmond Hill: Lunch gathering cousins from across the city, and from down south. Original plan for Afghan food thwarted, Pakistani alternative had everyone reaching for yogurt to tame the spice. Short breaks for toddler taking nap, and practising potty training. (Jefferson Richmond Hill, Ontario) 20241228
UB Anderson Gallery: From wall to wall in the second floor gallery, Christy Rupp (2024) Runoff installation of pipeline brings an industrial architecture indoors. Obstruction of access to windows overlooking tree canopy outside reminds observers of dependence on fossil fuels that the human comfort enabled is typicallly overlooked. Brief waypoint on a journey into Western New York State. (University of Buffalo Anderson Gallery, Martha Jackson Drive, Buffalo, NY) 20241102
14621 Neighborhood: Visit with a multigenerational family in the systems sciences, discussing making a difference in the world. Casual dinner sparked by selections from the flagship Wegmans market, spanning vegan, Asian and American cuisines. Making up for deferred shared time originally planned for Switzerland. (14621 Neighborhood, Rochester, NY) 20241102
Taughannock Falls Overlook: The path at the foot of Taughannock Falls looked inviting, but we hadn’t planned excursion time. Up from Route 96 on west side of Cayuga Lake, the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains is nestled in the Finger Lakes. Temperatures have fallen, so the trees with fall colors are dropping their leaves. (Taughannock Falls Overlook, Taughannock Park Road, Trumansburg, NY) 20241103
Ithaca Farmers Market: Long pavilion allows vendors to back in the their stalls, making unloading and loading off merchandise easier. Sunday morning seems to be popular with community shopping for items produced less than 30 miles from Ithaca. North end of pavilion has more vendors and artists, south end has food stalls offering service on reusable plates. (Ithaca Farmers Market, Third Street, Ithaca, NY) 20241103
Ithaca Falls: Sunday afternoon fisherman spinning flies into the brook by the gorge, dressed in hip waders. Easy walk on foot trail on east bank, seems popular amongst couples. Ruins of mills from the 1800s are visible on the way from the parking lot. (Ithaca Falls, Ithaca, NY) 20241103
Ithaca Falls: Reciprocal snapshots, as we asked the photographer with digital camera to shoot our picture in front of the falls. Funny that his girlfriend gave us her phone to capture their image, rather than the device with a zoom lens. We prepared for this trip with winter gear, weather has been sunny but freezing overnight. (Ithaca Falls, Ithaca, NY) 20241103
Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art: Arranged in a semi-circle, Nigerian American artist and poet Precious Okoyomon (2024) The Self Grows Forward Out of Its Reference shows influences crossing West Africa, Europe and Japan. Artist was appointed as first visiting artist in 2022, engaging in research with faculty and students. Exhibition is part of Migrations Global Grand Challenge program at Cornell University. (Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Central Avenue, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York) 20241103
Statler Hotel: Opening speaker for Cornell Systems Summit, Patrick Hoverstadt compressed The Grammar of Systems talk as audience anticipated serving of food. Systems Practice is seen as balancing Structural Complexity, Dynamic Complexity, and Perceptual Complexity. I opted to pass on the wine and cheese led pairing tasting, since I gave up both alcohol and dairy about 30 years ago. (Statler Hotel, Corneill University, Ithaca, New York) 20241103
Statler Hotel: First day of Cornell Systems Summit, Cliff Whitcomb setting the stage for program. Plenary speakers on systems science, then systems engineering for (i) energy, (ii) health, and (iii) cyber-enabled systems. Much of schedle for concurrent breakout focus groups on professional workfoce, educational curriculum, and systems foundations. (Statler Hotel, Corneill University, Ithaca, New York) 20241103
Statler Hotel: At Cornell Systems Summit, Lynn Rasmussen introducing the systems sciences to an audience with varying levels of knowledge. Provided a history of branches of systems sciences, with appreciation of Len Troncale in his communications with decades of luminaries in the systems movement. Outlined her 2024 book Seeing as a field guide, with 19 systems processes she has found useful in her practice in Maui. (Statler Hotel, Corneill University, Ithaca, New York) 20241103
Statler Hotel: At Cornell Systems Summit, Linda Booth Sweeney @lboothsweeney leads audience in thumb wrestling exercise from Systems Thinking Playbook. With instructions to maximize number of wins, almost all pairs had low scores, 2-2. One group cooperated to get higher scores 15-15, this is a story about how we may be predisposed to compete. (Statler Hotel, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York) 20241105
Statler Hotel: Closing plenary speaker Jon Wade (UCSD) extending systems engineering into science, and ethics. Would like countries with highest ecological footprints to reduce, and countries with lowest human development to increase. Pessimistic about influencing leverage points at (1) paradigm of the system, more realistic on (5) information flows with transparency so that systems may self-correct or receive societal pressure. (Statler Hotel, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York) 20241105
Schoellkopf Overlook: From American side of Niagara River, downstream and east of The Falls, is a view of the Rainbow international Bridge and downtown city centre in Ontario. We hadn’t crossed over from the USA as the sun set, and would only see the Canadian side in the dark. Swift drive from Ithaca, arrived home well after rush hour. (Schoellkopf Power Station, Niagara Falls State Park, USA) 20241105
Bau-Xi Gallery Toronto Dufferin: In large exhibition space, #EricLouie (2023) Lucky Money II is built up of many thin layers of luminescent oil paint. Title could refer to the Chinese red envelopes in which currency gifts are contained, or possibly the green lettuce in lion dances representing prosperity. Vancouver-based artist, showing in flagship location opened in 2023 in midtown Toronto. (Bau-Xi Gallery Toronto Dufferin, Dufferin Street, Toronto, Ontario)
Congee Queen Don Mills: Opportunistic early family lunch on Remembrance Day, when some employers choose to close while others have regular work hours. Father requested more dishes, as a change from the more limited but healthier menu at the retirement home. Chilly morning encourages winter jackets. (Congree Queen, Lawrence Avenue East, Don Mils, Ontario) 20241111
Evergreen Brick Works: Third of three parts of Space for Grief art installation, revised for fall 2024 showing at city’s flagship environmental park. Paper birds suspended from ceiling slowly drift, with projected movies and ambient music. Dark space with benches invites visitors to sit and reflect on losses that might have consumed them, or deterred moving on. (Evergreen Brick Works, Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20241111
Evergreen Brick Works: Talk by Frances Rawlings Quintero and Ziyan Hossain following group viewing of fall 2024 version of Space for Grief art installation at city’s flagship ecological paark. In-person Systems Thinking Ontario meeting coincided with claosing evening of show. Video production and music expanded from a Major Research project completed at OCADU master’s program in Strategic Foresight and Innovation. (Evergreen Brick Works, Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20241111
North York Central Library: Chinatown in Photos conversation with historian @ArleneChan1, photographer #MorrisLum and architect #LindaZhang as part of @torontobiennial. History of Old Chinatown from Chinese Canadian Archive at @torontolibrary, and side-by-side images of buildings changing over the last decade. Educational for many young adults in the audience, this was a stroll down member lane from my 1960s childhood. (North York Central Library, Yonge Street, North York, Ontario) 20241114
The Auto BLDG: Wooden rack frames Sameer Farooq (2024) Flatbread Library at @TorontoBiennial, mounting shellacked lavash, naan, roti, tortilla and taboon from 11 diasporic bakeries. Food embeds collective and ancestral memories as vehicles for building community. Each bakery has its own pattern or motif imprinted on its bread. (The Auto BLDG, Sterling Road, Toronto, Ontario) 20241115
The Auto BLDG: Carved wood and textile installation Cristina Flores Pescoran (2023-2024) Caressing the Heart of the Bone at #TorontoBiennial represents parts of the artists body, including legs, breasts, arms and head. Self-portrait with personal experience of cancer treatment and recovery. Artwork suspended in a corner of the 9th floor, between mushroom columns of concrete. (The Auto BLDG, Sterling Road, Toronto, Ontario) 20241115
Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto: Surrounded by cord barrier, Tishan Hsu (2023) mammal-screen is resin-wrapped foam and fibreglass on a steel frame. Curved surface painted like skin or meat feels organic. Apertures and protrusions feel inorganic. (Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto, Sterling Road, Toronto, Ontario) 20241115
Rogers Centre: Before 4 pm, three hours before Taylor Swift concert begins, crowds are channelled along barricades and streets are blocked by police cars. Lots of girls and women dressed for the occasion, stopping to take selfies. Biked around the building from south around to north, hadn’t appreciated lineups to multiple gates on the back side. (Rogers Centre, Bremner Boulevard, Toronto. Ontario) 20241116
Collision Gallery: Acrylic painting and paper mache sculptures Tessa Mars (2024) All Islands Touch as part of @TorontoBiennial. Together, the landscape is a background for objects that viewers might carefully step around. Artwork addresses impact of human disruption on nature. (Collision Gallery, Wellington Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20241116
Royal Ontario Museum: In the Samuel European Galleries, Jean Emile Puiforcat (1890) Pitcher for Orange Drink in silver with Rosewood handle, produced in France early in the Art Deco period. The saturation of Art Nouveau designs circa 1910 led to increasingly simple geometric shapes at the 1925 Exposition Internationale Des Arts Decoratif et Industriels moderns in Paris. This museum has more artifacts inside glass cases than I remember elsewhere. (Royal Ontario Museum, Queens Park, Toronto, Ontario) 20241119
Royal Ontario Museum: In the Teck Galleries, this naturally occurring cluster of barite roses (also called rock roses or desert roses) comes from Noble, Oklahoma. This mineral specimen was formed in groundwater saturated with barium and sulfate, crystalizing and expanding in surroiunding weathered sandstone. Amused at so many rocks in glass cases that probably aren’t precious, and unlikely to be damaged by visitors. (Royal Ontario Musieum, Queens Park, Toronto, Ontario) 20241119
Power Plant Gallery: In darkened room, Charles Campbell (2024) How Many Colours Has The Sea interprets the journey of enslaved Africans crossing the Atlantic. On south and west walls, four of the 9 breath portraits celebrate the divine spirits of the sea. Overhead aluminum sculpture on steel cables are inspired by the bathymetric data of submerged terrain where tectonic plates converge. (Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, Queens Quay West, Harbourfront, Toronto, Ontario) 20241124
Power Plant Gallery: In atrium, Vladimir Kanic (2022) Garden of Breath Part 100 is one of many algae polymer sculptures on display. Dried biomass takes in carbon dioxide from visitors, becoming thicker and deeper in colour. Calls for a symbiotic, decoarbonized future. (Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, Queens Quay West, Harbourfront, Toronto, Ontario) 20241124
L’Amoureaux neighbourhood: My friend Don has all of the tools to fix a computer, but it’s distressing to employ a drill when the last screw holding the motherboard is stripped. Replaced the fan led to a POST error, so we put the noisy one back in. The Thinkpad X230T is 12 years old, I’m now shopping for an updated model. (L’Amoureaux neighbourhood, Scarborough, Ontario) 20241127
Southbound Canada Line rises in height to cross over Fraser River via the North Arm Bridge, with a gradual turn west towards a shorter Middle Arm Bridge. Rafts of log booms see bundles of timber floated downstream on the way to processing. Scenic exit from the city on the way to YVR. (Canada Line Skytrain, […]
In morning shade, Kim Adams (2001) Squid Head is two rear ends of cargo load delivery vans. Without cabs or steering wheels, the lack of human driver foreshadowed vehicles 25 years later. Initially noticed the lack of license plates on the complementary blue GMC rear end, along our journey from city centre to YVR. (Vancouver […]
Photorealistic machine feel at centre of Ewan McNeil (2023) Roller Ball acrylic on canvas. Incongruous with floral patterns in background. Part of the Pattern Language exhibition also showing Dana Cromie. (Pendulum Gallery, RBC Place, West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia) 20250505
Leisurely lunch with @chris_wiesinger discussing Language Action Perspective, Heidegger and life histories. Previous connection via @chaunceybell, followed through on idea that we should meet when in town. Offshoot threads to others we haven't met in person. (Nuba in Gastown, West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia) 20250505
Walking through Vancouver West End, encountered creatively designed public space officially opened in 2022. First new park in 10 years, full of visual interest with skybridge, play areas, pavilions, coffee shop. High urban density, serves 30,000 residents within a 10-minute walk. (Rainbow Park, Richards Street, Vancouver, British Columbia) 20250504
Still a free thrill to carefully descend and ascend the arc of the bridge, holding handrails to moderate speed. Posted sign says closure in the fall, maybe time for resurfacing that happens every 10 years. Valley for the Lynn Creek is separate from the larger Capilano River, where we visited the fish hatchery. (Lynn Canyon […]
Dyadic waterfalls may follow Shinto style of complementary Odaki (masculine) and Medaki (feminine) forces of the natural world. Original small memorial garden with kasuga style lantern honouring diplomat Nitobe Inazō builtin 1935 did not survive vandalization when Japanese Canadians were sent to internment camps in the 1940s. Norman Mackenzie, president of UBC (1944-1962) recognized Nitobe […]
Overhead sculpture, light projection onto floor, + audio recording Yuan Wen (2025) Play in the Field, part of Impos(s)able Impositions: UBC Master of Fine Arts Graduate Exhibition. At end of hall, drawings on xuan rice paper. Noises were intruding from the installation just over the wall, with sounds set for the opening night reception two […]
Outstanding view of North Vancouver mountains, and West End city centre from second floor patio on south shore of English Bay. Club is private for sailors, but upstairs is open for public. Can't remember visiting this venue when I lived in Vancouver in the 1980s. (The Galley Patio and Grill, Jericho Sailing Centre, Discovery Street, […]
Hoist from 1930s industrial heritage was moved opposite Sea Village in 2022. Prior location was hidden by Emily Carr University site 1980-2017 at 1399 Johnston Street, a building still vacant. Tower has become a landmark near southeast end of street, visible from Public Market. (Historic Yellow Crane, Johnston Street, Granville Island, Vancouver, British Columbia) 20250503
Two years after submitting an academic manuscript and responding to double-blind reviews, “Rethinking work, with the pandemic disruption” has now been published in the International Journal of Organization Theory and Behavior (IJOTB) as earlycite. The article has a DOI (Document Object Identifier), and should be streamed with an official volume and issue number soon. The […]
The 128th meeting of Systems Thinking Ontario was convened in person. The classroom was filled with current students, alumni, our regular participants, and a few curious newcomers. Moderated by Zaid Khan, the conversation was sparked by Stephen Davies and myself (David Ing) on the evolving styles in learning systems thinking. Stephen has been leading SFIN-6011 […]
The “Understanding Systems” SFIN-6011 course is a requirement in the master’s program in Strategic Foresight and Innovation at OCADU. For winter 2025, the class is now led by Stephen Davies, breaking the incremental evolving of content since 2008. While still on faculty at OCADU, the original course designer Peter H. Jones is now a Distinguished […]
In the 1970s, five ways of knowing were established by C. West Churchman in The Design of Inquiring Systtems. In the 1990s, his student Ian Mitroff carried on the tradition and extended that work in The Unbounded Mind. Now in the 2020s, the technology of Generative AI opens up opportunties to query or request responses […]
For readers with an interest deeper than the 15-minute presentation given in August, the Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Socio-Technical Perspectives in Information Systems (STPIS 2024) have now been formally publishied. The invited paper on “Reifying Socio-Technical and Socio-Ecological Perspectives for Systems Changes: From rearranging objects to repacing rhythms” was reviewed by the […]
The 125th meeting of Systems Thinking Ontario coincided with the closing day for the RSD13-RSDX online program. As a regular systems convening group, we’ve had monthly meetings since January 2013. Zaid Khan moderated a discussion including me (David Ing), Tim Lloyd, Allenna Leonard, and Kelly Okamura. We recollected starting as a spinoff from Design with […]
Rhythm and pitch are primordial to language. Susan Rogers, after a career becoming Prince's recording engineer, turned to complete a PhD in psychology focused on music cognition and psychoacoustics.Read more ›
David L. Hawk (American management theorist, architect, and systems scientist) has been hosting a weekly television show broadcast on Bold Brave Tv from the New York area on Wednesdays 6pm ET, remotely from his home in Iowa. Live, callers can join…Read more ›
Following the first day lecture on Philosophy of Chinese Medicine 1 for the Global University for Sustainability, Keekok Lee continued on a second day on some topics: * Anatomy as structure; physiology as function (and process); * Process ontology, and thing ontology; * Qi ju as qi-in-concentrating mode, and qi san as qi-in-dissipsating mode; and […]
The philosophy of science underlying Classical Chinese Medicine, in this lecture by Keekok Lee, provides insights into ways in which systems change may be approached, in a process ontology in contrast to the thing ontology underlying Western BioMedicine. Read more ›
In conversation, @zeynep with @ezraklein reveal authentic #SystemsThinking in (i) appreciating that “science” is constructed by human collectives, (ii) the west orients towards individual outcomes rather than population levels; and (iii) there’s an over-emphasis on problems of the moment, and…Read more ›
In the question-answer period after the lecture, #TimIngold proposes art as a discipline of inquiry, rather than ethnography. This refers to his thinking On Human Correspondence. — begin paste — [75m26s question] I am curious to know what art, or…Read more ›
Timothy F.H. Allen, president of International Society for the Systems Sciences 2008-2009, passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family, on May 1, 2025. With his work on ecosystem ecology, I learned more about living systems than anyone else in the systems community. After his retirement, he was proud of putting together a […]
In 2024, WordPress Studio was released, making installation on a local computer simpler. The instructions were modified from MacOS to Ubuntu Linux, by Daniel Kossmann, “How to install WordPress Studio in Ubuntu Linux” | Jun 15, 2024 at https://www.danielkossmann.com/how-to-install-wordpress-studio-ubuntu-linux/ I already had NVM installed, but in Terminal, with the result “command not found”. In the […]
The appreciation of change is different in Western philosophy than in classical Chinese philosophy. JeeLoo Lin published a concise contrast on differences. Let me parse the Introduction to the journal article, that is so clearly written. The Chinese theory of time is built into a language that is tenseless. The Yijing (Book of Changes) there […]
In trying to place the World Hypotheses work of Stephen C. Pepper (with multiple root metaphors), Nicholas Rescher provides a helpful positioning. — begin paste — Philosophical perspectivism maintains that substantive philosophical positions can be maintained only from a “perspective” of some sort. But what sort? Clearly different sorts of perspectives can be conceived of, […]
Finding proper words to express system(s) change(s) can be a challenge. One alternative could be diachrony. The Oxford English dictionary provides two definitions for diachronic, the first one most generally related to time. (The second is linguistic method) diachronic ADJECTIVE Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “diachronic (adj.), sense 1,” July 2023, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/3691792233. For completeness, prochronic relates “to […]
