Lake Como:: With 5:02pm southbound departure from Lugano, opted for first class tickets to escape the standing-room-only ride we encountered in the second class northbound trip 6 days earlier. First class is only one half of the railcar, so we could see standees packed in through the door behind us. Arrival in Milan delayed before Como, we were messaging apartment agent for assisted check-in. (Lake Como, Italy) 20241004
Fondazione Prada Milano: Panoramic view north from eighth floor of the Torre building, with a series of glass cases including Damian Hirst (1997) Tears for Everybody Looking at You. An umbrella protects the decoy ducks from a continual rainshower, yet waterfowl need pools of water to float and swim. The other glass cases behind with collections of dead flies are less humourous. (Fondazione Prada, Largo Isarco, Milan, Italy) 20241005
Fondazione Prada Milano: On ninth floor of Torre building, visitors first trace a blind handrail through Carsten Holler (2000) Gantenbein Corridor (i.e. goose leg maze) completely dark passageway, to emerge out into brightness of (2000) Upside Down Mushroom Room. Lights from floor and spinning for ceiling produce a hallucination enjoyed by children. Adults attempt to capture the experience on their smartphones. (Fondazione Prada, Largo Isarco, Milan, Italy) 20241005
Pirelli HangarBicocca:: A video projector at each end of 24 silk panels #SaodatIsmailova (2024) As We Fade, part of the exhibition A Seed Under Our Tongue. One of twelve installations in the dark Shed, the Uzbehki video artist transmits landscapes and moving artifacts that dissolve into shades of colour less than halfway through the fabric series. Pictures in motion are reduced in translucence as light is dematerialized. (Pirelli HangarBicocca, Via Chiese, Milan, Italy) 20241006
Pirelli HangarBicocca: The first of five large painting added Anselm Kiefer (2009) Jaipur is at the north end of the Navette exhibition space. Of the Seven Heavenly Palaces first exhibited in 2004, the closest is (2004) Sefiroth, associated with ten different channels through which the one God reveals His will, in the later Jewish literature. The original temporary installation has become permanent, probably because moving and storing the work would destroy it. (Pirelli HangarBicocca, Via Chiese, Milan, Italy) 20241006
Sforzesco Castle: Originally built as Castello di Porta Giova for Visconti dukes circa 1370, the structure was enlarged in 1450 by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan. Repurposed many time over centuries, the city reconstructured the fortress as museums after WWII. Espoused as open until 7:30pm, we arrived after 5:00pm when ticket offices were closed. Sforzesco Castle, Piazza Castello, Milan, Italy) 20241006
Swiss Alps: Air Baltic 1617 flight from Milan to Zürich, flight time less than an hour over the Alps. Departure was cloudy, snow was evident in the southern facing mountain slopes. As we travelled north, the snow cover on peaks appeared less and less, exposing either rocks or trees. (LX1617, Alps, Switzerland) 20241007
15 Merchants Wharf: Ecological flipbook in #NuitBlanche Extended with #IsaacKing (2024) Humans Build the Biggest Nests. Narrative thinking about entangled ecologies influenced by theorists and indigenous thinkers. Visitors were encouraged to run hands through the cards to trace the interactions between species. (15 Merchants Wharf, East Bayfront, Toronto, Ontario) 20241009
125 Queens Quay East:: Unfixed dyed sand in #NuitBlanche Extended with #ShannonGardenSmith (2024) Snail-work (For The Lake) showed carefully grains at outset. Visitors were invited to gently disrupt the patterns by walking through. This reminds individuals about the accumulated environmental, historical and economic impacts of the world’s most popular construction material. (125 Queens Quay East, East Bayfront, Toronto, Ontairo) 20241009
Toronto Biennial of Art: Hanging strips of fabric mimic bamboo forest in multimedia installation #KarenTam (2024) #ScentOfThunderbolts of stage with Cantonese opera for #TorontoBiennialOfArt. Visitors are invited to walk around backstage, and view vintage photos of last century shows. A diasporic visual and sonic memory more for my father’s generation than me. (Toronto Biennial of Art, Lisgar Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20241019
Leslie Lookout Park: Exceptionally warm day draws out bicyclists and sunbathers, towards beach facing west into ship channel running to the inner harbour. Lookout tower can be approached by stairs or slow ramp, with bike repair station its base. Architected shape of lookout respects the cylindrical tower of the St. Mary’s Cement factory to the north. (Leslie Lookout Park, Leslie Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20241020
Aga Khan Museum: Immersive looped video in dark corner, Tannis Nielsen (2020) mazinibii’igan/ a creation as a reimagining of residual radiation from the Big Bang. Dressing in monochrome challenges discerning figures moving in the space. Short line up for visitors to become part of the art installation. (Aga Khan Museum, Wynford Drive, Don Mills, Ontario) 20241023
Gerrard-Ashdale: Diwala Mela lights up the darkness with sparklers and dancing. Throbbing music attracts the crowd, and a dancer on stilts encourages joining in. Major street not closed off, neighborhood event in Little India. (Gerrard Street East at Ashdale Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20241026
Art Gallery of Ontario: Across four walls, Jinny Yu (2023) Cuboids + Colour, watercolors extended with gouache. Visual connection in series of three-dimensional shapes with six rectangular faces. Korean-born artists trained in Canada, now a professor in Ottawa. (Art Gallery of Ontario, Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20241030
Market Street:: On west side of St. Lawrence Market, @OldTownToronto lunchtime jazz duo @AndrewMarzotto guitar + @AndrewMcAnsh trumpet in loose gig. Shoppers walking by, trucks with backup alerts, and car noises on The Esplanade behind. The musicians weren’t responsive to my request for songs from this century, the old standards are more familiar. (Market Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240903
Market Street:: Languid noontime pace with @gisun_music “Never Met” as summer weather returned after a cold spell. Still tourist buses at top of street for St. Lawrence Market @OldTownToronto , with shoppers enjoying lunch in the sun. Musical intermission as a short break on a busy day, biking cross town. (Market Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240911
The Gooderham:: Birthday celebration dancing with family and friends. We didn’t know what to expect, the group retreated to privacy when the choreographer arrived. Performance ended with vegan cake. (The Gooderham, Cherry Street, Distillery District, Toronto, Ontario) 20240914
The Gooderham:: Winding down the evening with the lights down, just dancing for selves, not for performance. Birthday celebration did offer dinner and cake, yet setup for deejay with hiphop and breaking is unusual for most families. Met again some friends that we say at the big party before the move to NYC, a few years back. (The Gooderham, Cheery Street, Distillery District, Toronto, Ontario) 20240914
Market Street:: Lunchtime performance @oldtowntoronto @EmilyNSchultz singing The Sun, a tune inspired by the relationship with her sister. Singer-songwriter with inventive technique on hollow body electric guitar, plus added complexity with loop pedal. Monday seems to have more traffic on the street behind, with tourists still visiting the neighbourhood on a warm fall day. (Market Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240917
Varley Art Gallery: Hanging in a circle, Meera Sethi (2018-2023) Outerwhere is 12 used coats with mixed media. The winter coat is essential for Northern climates, for both physical and metaphorical protection. Articles sewn in by hand include toys, flowers, plastics, fibre crafts. (Varley Art Gallery, Main Street, Unionville, Ontario) 20240922
Castello di Riomaggiore: Cloudy morning view east of vineyards cultivated since the 13th century. Castle was built in 1260, served as a cemetery in three 19th century. Slow ascent via steep roads and narrow pedestrian steps. Construction noise hammering somewhere in the village resounds everywhere. (Castello di Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre, Italy) 20240927
Riomaggiore Marina: In the valley of Rivus Maior, the river flowing into the sea was buried under the street. The original founders of the village built 3 to 4 storey houses against the cliffs. As the clouds gave ways to the sun, the wind brought waves to crash against the breakwater. (Riomaggiore Marina, Cinque Terre, Italy) 20240927
Mercato Orientale: First opened in 1899, the outdoor market on the east side of Genoa became covered. Sellers of fresh produce and local meats have stalls in the inner ring, with a semi-hidden outer ring of specialty products. Tastes of imported foods would seem to be against Italian tradition. (Mercato Orientale, Via XX Settembre, Genoa, Italy) 20240927
MOG Mercado Orientale Genoa: Modernization of the central core space in the larger product and meat market aims to attract trendy locals and foodie visitors. Acronym implying modernity reflects brightly-lit central area raised up a few steps from the traditional stalls of uncooked ingredients. At early dinnertime on a Thursday night, the restaurateurs were just opening up, and customers had not year arrived. (MOG Mercado Orientale Genoa, Via XX Settembre, Genoa, Italy). 20240927
Chiostro di Sant’Andrea: In the ruins of a monastery from the 12th century, the @BilbosaBand was doing a sound check 90 minutes before their live @teatrodelchiostro performance. Approaching the Porta Soprano walk, we heard drums and individual instruments in the 30-minutes setup. We were intrigued by the musicianship, but hanging out for an 8:30pm start wasn’t a good idea for Canadians trying to beat jet lag with early nights. (Chiostro di Sant’Andrea, St. Andrews Cloisters, Vico Dritto di Ponticello, Genoa Italy) 20240927
Dogali Funicular (Montegalletto Lift) from vertical to horizontal: Rode bus to upper station of the Dogali Funicular, the only lift in the world that switches from vertical to horizontal motion. Looking out the front door, counted about 20 florescent tubes on the way down, stopping with a pause to see motorized wheels on the track spinning. When the sister car arrived and started ascent, our car rolled south to the exit. (Dogali Funicular (Montegalletto Lift), Genoa, Italy) 20240928
Mackenzie House: Noontime solo electric violin performance of “Farewell”, by @victoriayeh for @downtownyonge summer series. albeit a winter feel. In small courtyard, focusing on the music masked the construction noise of the building being erected directly north. Instrument has a low C string, plus an octaver setting for play low notes, all run through effects pedals including a looper. (Mackenzie House, Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240802
Trillium Park: Dusk short set @wavelengthmusic by alt jazz fusion #LavenderTown band, named in reference to Pokemon. Specialists in reworking video game music, “Song of Storms” is from The Legend of Zelda. Casual event with mostly millennials sprawled out on the lawn, bike parking overfull with security guards prowling. (Trillium Park, Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto, Ontario) 20240810
Varley Art Gallery of Markham: Solos @ChrisDonnelly99 piano, #TaraDavidson sax, #LaurenFalls bass, @ErnestoCervini drums, on Nowhere Girl @nickyschrire @markhamjazzfest. A few famous musicians in the audience, alumni of Toronto who now live in the USA. Performance moved inside, with rain cancellation the two open air venues down the street. (Varley Art Gallery of Markham, Main Street Unionville, Ontario) 20240817
Varley Art Gallery of Markham: Composition of “A Little Louder Please” #LaurenFall bass, with #TaraDavidson sax doubled by @NickySchrire on wordless voice, accompanied by @ChrisDonnelly99 piano, @ErnestoCervini drums @markhamjazzfest. Vocalist and bass player knew each other in graduate school in NYC, now both in Toronto. Rain re-asserted with thunder, glad to be inside the only one of three festival venues under cover. (Varley Art Gallery of Markham, Main Street Unionville, Ontario) 20240817
Varley Art Gallery of Markham: Still yet unrecorded Daffodil @RobertLeeMusic bass, #RoaLee @roa_gayageum, @AllisonAu sax, @jay.myoo guitar, #Jen.Lo piano, #AndrewMccarthy drums, @markhamjazzfest. Larger ensemble than first performance I saw at Distillery District in May. Fortunate to have an indoor venue, the rain squashed the possibility of playing on the patio. (Varley Art Gallery of Markham, Main Street, Unionville, Ontario) 20240817
Varley Art Gallery of Markham: Introduction by #Roa’Lee gayageum on composition about Korean mountain and drumming pattern @RobertLeeMusic bass, accompanied by @AllisonAu sax, @jay.m.yoo, #JenLo piano, #AndrewMcCarthy drums, @markhamjazzfest. Bandleader filled in with patter about growing up in Markham not speaking Korean, now getting language help from bandmates. Korean zither took a few minutes between songs for tuning, and then more adjustments while other players took lead. (Varley Art Gallery of Markham, Main Street, Unionville, Ontario) 20240817
Village of Yorkville Park: Relaxed afternoon “Paradise” @kublamusic_boi guitar, with #CameronTinklenberg keyboards and #AustinGembora drums on Sunday @BloorYorkville . Trio configuration in daytime, will have 6-piece band at upcoming nightclub date. Sunny break, but bank was watching clouds overhead, for heavy rainfall warning. (Village of Yorkville Park, Cumberland Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240818
Village of Yorkville Park: Audience requested “Changes” @kublamusic_boi guiar, with #CameronTinklenberg keyboards and #AustinGembora on Sunday @BloorYorkville . Song was one of the earliest official releases by the band. Trio configuration in daytime, will have 6-piece band at upcoming nightclub date. Also call outs for some other covers, but maybe too obscure for a casual gig. (Village of Yorkville Park, Cumberland Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240818
Toronto Music Garden: Outdoor performance of Kyoto by @UofTMusic Percussion Ensemble quintet, mostly uninterrupted by boat engines roaring in the Inner Harbour. Premiered in 2011 by New Zealander #JohnPsathas , the music was inspired by a 1976 improvisation by Keith Jarrett in that city in Japan. Full audience, appreciative on a Sunday afternoon. (Toronto Music Garden, Queens Quay West, Toronto, Ontario) 20240825
Toronto Botanical Garden: Flowers in full bloom with @alexisbaro at Edwards Summer Music Series as dusk. Single woman up front, dancing as if no one is watching. Full audience, parking lot full. (Toronto Botanical Garden, Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario) 20240829
Village of Yorkville Park: Noontime gig @BloorYorkville dropping into #BennettYoung bass solo, with #ChrisPlatt guitar and #RobinClaxton drums, a challenge to name that tune extends to minutes. Trio discussed the standards to be played a few minutes before each, to check if each might remember playing it recently. Other tunes were interrupted by roars of jets overhead, rehearsing for the Canadian International Air Show officially starting tomorrow. (Village of Yorkville Park, Cumberland Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240830
Mel Lastman Square: First act on Saturday @tujazzfest stage, #leocodiga and the #SouthwestCorridor playing “True”. Band of university studies left Montreal at 5:30am to attend this festival. Audience in bright August sun, from the bleacher concrete steps. (Mel Lastman Square, Yonge Street, North York, Ontario) 20240831
Mel Lastman Square: Saturday afternoon @tujazzfest #EmmettHodgins Coast Group playing tunes with strange titles like Dingle bop? Concluding an album release and touring as a band, composed new music on the road. Folding chairs put under tents for shade, clearer view of raised stage still from the concrete bleachers. (Mel Lastman Square, Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240831
The Yorkville Rock:: Vista from atop the 650-ton tectonic puzzle outside the TTC Bay subway station exit, sees pedestrians on Cumberland Street potentially drawn to the afternoon jazz @BloorYorkville #SummerMusicInThePark. Loose set by five players billed as the #BrendanCassidy Quartet, some stepping off the tiny riser when solos are taken. Tables and chair have been set in front of the stage, but wiser listeners have placed themselves in the shade beyond the icicle curtain or by the tree planters. (The Yorkville Rock, Village of Yorkville Park, Cumberland Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240707
Nathan Phillips Square:: Weekend crowds outside City Hall for @TasteMiddleEast, featuring entertainment on stage. Ensemble stepping to the drumbeats, next coming down into the audience seeking willing partners for belly-dancing. Tents set up to the east, selling handicrafts and ethnic cuisine. (Nathan Phillips Square, Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20240707
Nathan Phillips Square:: Weekend crowds outside City Hall for @TasteMiddleEast, featuring entertainment on stage. Ensemble stepping to the drumbeats, next coming down into the audience seeking willing partners for belly-dancing. Tents set up to the east, selling handicrafts and ethnic cuisine. (Nathan Phillips Square, Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20240707
McGill Parkette:: After-work @DowntownYonge #PlayTheParks @sleepyjeansings duet on “Once Held My Heart” with two guitars. Style is described as spaghetti western infused Americana may be more imagined than anchored, with performers originating from Welland, Ontario. Full band would have included drums and bass, but the stripped down version let emotions and humour flow. (McGill Parkette, Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240709
Village of Yorkville Park: Sunday afternoon @BloorYorkville with electric violinist @realdrdraw and the Strange Parade #ColinJamesGibson guitar, #MichaelMcDonnell bass, #JeffAntoineCote drums. Catchy rhythms with concrete building to the south probably broadcast the music into Rosedale, onstage dancing had passersby stopping on sidewalk. First set ended with a few raindrops starting, I biked home through the downpour. (Village of Yorkville Park, Cumberland Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240714
Trinity Square Park: Noontime @EuniceKeitan #PlayIntheParks extended version of “Donde Estas” with @HowleySounds on lead guitar and pedal beatbox for @DowntownYonge . Song in English is inspired by Latin neighbour couple fighting. Enjoying duet performance with minimal production, she programmed loops of voice and guitar into an effects box at her feet, for other tunes. (Trinity Square Park, Toronto, Ontario) 20240718
Trinity Square Park:: Second take of “Donde Estas” @EuniceKeitan with @HowleySounds on lead guitar and pedal beatbox for @DowntownYonge . In second set, repeated for live recording of #PlayIntheParks 2024 summer compilation. Only the song title in Spanish, lyrics in English inspired by Latin neighbour couple fighting. (Trinity Square Park, Toronto, Ontario) 20240718
East Lynn Park:: Dusk show @TheDannyBIA #TheDannyLovesMusic with @JerryLeger and #TheSituation on stage. Children playing in dry splash zone to the southeast, some adults inside the licensed beverage area to the southwest, all watching the band raised to the north. Neighbourhood is rather far east in the old City of Toronto, not so much a destination for audiences from the downtown core. (East Lynn Park, Danforth Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20240719
Gerrard Street East:: Saturday night #FestivalOfSouthAsia @gerrardindiabaz after 9pm, rock bank performing song where audience is singing along. Not understanding the words myself, I’m not the target audience. Large crowd including children and grandparents (Gerrard Street East at Hiawatha Road, Little India, Toronto, Ontario) 20240720
Woodbine Park:: Disco party #BoomShakaLakas around 10pm @beachesjazz program. Theme of music from the 1990s has audience standing and swaying. Losing count of number of public music performances in this city. (Woodbine Park, Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20240720
Bloordale Village: Dusk solo piano and electric keys by @johnkameelfarah on main stage @bigonbloorfest . Concert pianist was born in Brampton, song as mix of Bach and own composition dedicated to Sudan, linking music to issues away from the first world. Modern music with classical roots is out of the usual for a city street festival. (Emerson Avenue at Bloor Street West, Bloordale Village, Toronto, Ontario) 20240721
The Beacher Cafe: Rhythm section view of hard working Strange Parade #JeffAntoineCote drums, #MichaelMcDonnell bass, #ColinJamesGibson guitar, backing electric violinist @realdrdraw at @beachesjazz Streetfest. Large crowd in the darkness, little girls dancing up front. Walked from Woodbine Avenue eastbound past Glen Manor Drive declining the many juke box cover bands with middle-aged mothers were singing along. (The Beacher Cafe, Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20240727
College Park Courtyard: College Park Courtyard: First live performance by @GhaliaElKurdi of “Love Ain’t Over” @downtownyonge . Her genre is house, electronic music produced in a studio, so for this show she brought a backup band. Opening act dj had set suspended with drops of rain, main act got three songs in before serious rain shut down the program. (College Park Courtyard, Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240731
Distillery District:Arrived in time for second set with @marigoldjazz jazz-funk collective, based in Toronto. Song titled Folk Song, style in the broad range of the Bourbon Street North Festival. Took the short bike ride over the Don River for exercise, a musical break for lunchtime. (Distillery District, Mill Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240603
Distillery District:: After rainy morning, warm and bright lunchtime concert by @MarigoldBandOfficial. Rows of bench seats down front, shaded tables to the west. Part of the Bourbon Street North festival running daytimes for the first half of June. (Distillery District, Mill Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240603
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport:: Walkway between DCA Terminal 1 and 2 has photographs of USO activities on the south wall, and artwork to the north. Bill Renc (2019) Moonlight White House is one of the pieces in the Springtime in Washington exhibition. Saturday night at the airport is rather quiet, as was the Metro ride until we crossed the Potomac River, and saw rainbow wrist bands and painted skin for Pride weekend. (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, District of Columbia) 20240608
Third Street Art Garden:: Sunday morning walk through the NoMa district, encountered large mural behind chain link fence. Redevelopment of former industrial lands means many condominium towers where occupants need more open spaces. Unfortunate choice of artificial grass to cover grounds, shade trees would be nice in the muggy summer. (Third Street Art Garden, NoMa district, Washington, DC) 20240609
Eastern Market:: Sunday morning lineup for lunch counter in historical public market first opened in 1873, then renovated after a fire in 2007. In the Capitol Hill district, the single corridor offerings of meat and cheese seems to attract local residents. Outside the building, temporary stalls under a permanent awning has merchants hawking local fruit and vegetables. (Eastern Market, 7th Street SE, Capitol Hill district, Washington, DC) 20240609
Tonic at Quigleys:: Patio outside east side of restaurant #JazzOnTheRocksDC Tuesday night jam, started with drums, bass, and vocals, then sax and guitar showed up. Welcoming musicians rotating on and off. Casual change of pace by GWU campus, away from downtown full conference day, when we can put our brains to rest (Tonic at Quigley’s, G Street West, Washington, DC) 20240611
Chinese-American Museum DC:: Chinese Buddhist Art: statue Ruping Liu “Guanyin Bodhisattva of Compassion”; banner paintings depicting deities and sages in Buddhist, Daoist and Confucianist pantheons and the suffering; and statue Ruping Liu, “Maitrea, Buddha of the Future-. On third of fourth floor, more religious and cultural of the old country, than the story on the first floor of the 1882 Chinese railway workers finally receiving recognition. Building only opens a few days per week, hope that exhibitions will be enriched on subsequent visits. (Chinese-American Museum DC, 16th Street NW, Washington, DC) 20240613
College Street at Euclid Avenue:: Spontaneous couples @TOLitleItaly dancing to @micheldequevedo Michel Dequevedo Quartet featuring @ericstlaurent Eric St. Laurent on guitar. . Unsure whether the drummer was making a joke when he said one dancer was his sister. In the next tune, his father visiting from Mexico joined the band to sing. (Taste of Little Italy, College Street at Euclid Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20240615
Distillery District:: Last day of Bourbon Street North at Distillery District, with @AlisonYoungSax Band, with @alexisbaro7494 trumpet solo on I Don’t Know. Large weekend crowd appreciating the traditional jazz feel, with bead necklaces thrown from stage emulating Mardi Gras throws. Chosen instrumentation gives a different feel, with string bass, wind instruments and drums as acoustic, and only the piano synthesized for performance practicalities. (Distillery District, Mill Street, Toronto, Ontairo) 20240616
Village of Yorkville Park: Late Sunday afternoon @TorontoJazzFest concert with @moodsetmusic, @alexa.belgrave keyboards, @jacqteh vocals, @calebklager bass, @daereiznekcam drums, and #ParkerWeiss sitting in on trumpet. Song “Who do you love” is their first single. Fenced-in area was quite full, a cheer from the students at the rear portrays some previous exposure to the band. (Village of Yorkville Park, Cumberland Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240623
Village of Yorkville Park: Monday afternoon @TorontoJazzFest concert @homzya on violin, leading Aline’s Étoile Magique with @michael_vibes vibes, @MaritoMarques drums, @danielrfortin bass, and @isthisthomas guitar. The style of the song Caraway is influenced by Jean-Luc Ponty, although violin and vibraphone is a unique combination. Weekday audience is smaller than on weekends, more casual street bands playing on the sidewalks. (Village of Yorkville Park, Cumberland Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240624
Victoria University Quadrangle: Tuesday afternoon @torontojazzfest trio with @laolanopiano23 piano, solo by #RobertoRiveron bass and drummer #AmhedMitchel. Part of the Cuban night program on the TD Main Stage. Relaxed audience lounging on a cloudy day. (Victoria University Quadrangle, Queen’s Park Crescent, Toronto, Ontario) 20240625
Village of Yorkville Park: Tuesday evening @torontojazzfest concert led by @SanahKadoura on drums, @luisdenizsax sax, @ewenfarncombe keyboards, #AndrewStewart bass, @MonekaTara vocals. Song “The Geminis” from the album Duality. Music gets cultural crossover with Arabic language, but only one audience member recognized the call for a dance. (Village of Yorkville Park, Cumberland Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240625
Village of Yorkville Park: Outro by #Bellbird of Bluff, #AllisonBurik alto sax, #ClaireDevlin tenor sax, #EliDavidovici bass, #MiliHong drums, arriving at @torontojazzfest earlier in the day from Calgary. Switching from alto sax to bass clarinet produced tones that otherwise might have thought as synthesizer. Unusual to hear a band without guitar or keyboards. (Village of Yorkville Park, Cumberland Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240629
Village of Yorkville Park: Closing show of tour by @AnthonyFDrums Quartet, playing The Valley, with sax solo by @Daynasound, #MichaelRagonese on piano, @luca_alemanno on bass. Sunday night ends @torontojazzfest for 2024. Hometown musician from Richmond Hill, now based in Los Angeles. (Village of Yorkville Park, Cumberland Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240630
OCAD University:: Sound installation #methaOz (2024) Body & Authority with swooshing sounds of the everyday and industrial objects suspended from nails. A reflection of diverse ways in which authority figures exert power and influence over bodies and behaviours. Cached in an alcove amongst the multitude of #GradEx works. (OCADU, McCaul Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240503
Modern One:: Walkthrough of #DoHoSuh (2016) Corridor-4 Wielandstr 18 + Hub 3rd Floor Union Whart + Corridor-3 Wielandstr 18, made of polyester fabric and stainless steel. Gallery was relatively quiet on a Thursday morning. Part of the Tracing Time exhibition, most of the other works were framed wall hangings of threads embedded in cotton paper. (National Galleries of Scotland: Modern One, Belford Road, Edinburgh, Scotland) 20240509
Bell’s Brae Bridge, Dean Village:: A placid view of the Waters of Leith, towards Dean Village, down a steep hill the big hill from New Town. Some fellow visitors out enjoying the sunshine, the neighbourhood is really residential and doesn’t offer tourist features. In town for only two days, not enough time for a walk to follow the path downstream. (Bell’s Brae Bridge, Dean Village, Edinburgh, Scotland) 20240509
Waverley Railway Station:: The monument honouring author Sir Walter Scott is directly north of the railway trench into Waverley Station, the second largest rail depot in Britain. Replacing a series of stations from the 1846s, the current structure was built on Princes Street in New Town, and the Old Town uphill, between 1892 and 1902. The tracks are less obvious from Princes Street, since citizens of the late 19th century wanted the trains concealed, and smoke practically out of sight. (Waverley Railway Station, Edinburgh, Scotland) 20240510
Northumberland on LNER: Comfortable ride at table seats on train from Edinburgh to York transferring to Selby, and finally bus to Hull. We enjoyed meal deals from a station convenience store, including Plant Kitchen Hoisin No Duck, and Tanpopo Chicken Katsu, a major step up from sandwiches still at a modest price. Lots of green pastures for the entire journey, with brief glimpses of the North Sea. (Northumberland, London North Eastern Railway, UK) 20250511
Queen Victoria Square: View spinning around Queen Victoria Square, starting from the west with Hull City Hall, the back of the Queen Victoria statue facing east, Ferens Art Gallery to the south, and then the Punch Hotel to the southwest. The ornate Punch Hotel, first opened in 1846, has a history of a series of landlords, a mysterious death, a murder, and the apprehension of multiple criminals. (Queen Victoria Square, Carr Road, Hull, UK) 20240512
Hebden Bridge Railway Station: Transfer time of 18 minutes off a train from York bound for Blackpool, onto another bound for Manchester Victoria. The last leg has been a route served since 1841. Cone-shaped flooring at the end of the platform warns pedestrians not to descend to track level, a style different than putting up a fence. (Hebden Bridge Railway Station, West Yorkshire, UK) 20240514
Manchester Victoria Station: Arrival at northern (and less popular) railway station in Manchester, a 10-minute walk from the hotel we have reserved. The air rights over the tracks were acquired for construction of Manchester Arena in 1995, the largest venue in the UK at that time. Outside the station, the neighbourhood is showing a lot of modern construction in progress, and sections appear to be going under gentrification. (Manchester Victoria Station, UK) 20240514
Stafford Railway Station: Transfer point for split fare from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston, with lifts to overhead footbridge, and covered platforms sheltering this rainy day. Large bicycle parking area suggests that locals might be commuting to other places regularly. Heard that an earlier train on a similar route was cancelled due to person on the tracks, maybe unfortunately not sufficiently newsworthy for tv broadcast. (Stafford Railway Station, Staffordshire, UK) 20240516
Farrington Street southbound, approaching Blackfriars Bridge: Riding on the upper floor of a double decker bus in London gives a privileged view of the city. Much preferred over the underground, as crowds contained in metal boxes, riding escalators down and up. Bright spring day, carrying umbrellas for anticipated evening rain. (Farrington Street, London, UK) 20240517
Blackfriars Bridge and South Bank of the Thames River: Descending from the South Blackfriars bus stop, the Thames flows eastward downriver. A little further east, St. Pauls Cathedral is a landmark. Our destination of the Tate Modern was a short walk away. (Blackfriars Bridge, London, UK) 20240517
Tate Modern: In a small end room, Jannis Kounelis (1999) Coal Sculpture with Wall of Coloured Glass invokes the Industrial Revolution. At the left, lumps of naturally occuring glass-like materials are strung together. To the right, the paraffin lamp alludes to the ore mined. (Tate Modern, Bankside, London, UK) 20240517
Paddington Station: Making connection from Hammersmith-Circle line to Elizabeth line takes path through main hall with regional train platforms. Initially going east for destination to the west would have routed via Farringdon station, but our entry at Euston Square with big suitcases was challenged by only a lift to the westbound platform. Usual pattern of taking Piccadilly line to Heathrow has had this new option since opening in 2022, slower but cheaper than Heathrow Express. (Paddington Station, London, UK) 20240518
Three Feathers Terrace: Wedding party, after the formal nuptials and photographs have been done, ready to enter the banquet. Our family was honoured to be invited, we’re continuing relationships that were made before the children were born and grew up. After dinner, the DJ selected music that had both young and old on the dance floor, the event seemed practically flawless. (Three Feathers Terrace, Lefroy, Ontario) 20240519
Mount Pleasant Cemetery: Annual cemetery visit saw more intensive gardening this year, as grandfather requested the overgrown perennial day lilies be cut back. In addition, the shrub was overgrown, and needed to be cut back. Flowers not yet in bloom were pulled out, to be relocated for a residential home. (Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario) 20240520
Pine Hills Cemetery: At second cemetery of the day, removing more overgrown perennial day lilies, to be replanted at home residence. Ground in front of gravestone is a shallow, with a hard surface. Shade from trees to the south provided some relief from sun in the late afternoon. (Pine Hills Cemetery, Birchmount Road, Toronto, Ontario) 2040520
Ricardas: Opportunity to share family wedding photos, at the Farewell Sequin and Sneaker Ball of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry annual meeting. Shook hands with many luminaries of the profession, later seen on stage accepting awards. Fortunate coincidence to have extended family come in from Chicago, while we’re locals to this city. (Ricarda’s Event Venue, Peter Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240526
Distillery District : Snippet of @RobertLeeMusic bass, @AllisonAu sax, @jayyooguitar192 guitar, @andrewmccarthy8195 drums, from first public performance of Daffodil. Afternoon performance on the Trinity Stage as part of the Bourbon Street North Festival. Arrived to the performance as the rain stopped, with an attendant squeegeeing the benches. (Distillery District, Mill Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20240527
Power Plant Gallery: Embassy exhibition inspired by features of historical American consular offices by Terence Gower. To the left, (2024) Facade (Transparent) is suspended stainless steel and aircraft cable, following an unrealized 1958 Cold War design directive for the ample use of glass and transparency,. To the right, (2012) Baghdad Screen of pleated cedar veneer plywood based on the roof form the 1960 ambassador’s residence. (Power Plant Gallery, Queens Quay West, Toronto, Ontario) 20240530
Power Plant Gallery: Witness exhibition by June Clark, room with (1997) Harlem Quilt of 300 photographs of street life, transferred onto scraps from a thrift store, each individually lit by a single light bulb. Community portraits are a tribute to the people who called the neighbourhood home, forming memories of that time. Toronto-based artist who immigrated from New York, returning temporarily after 28 years for an artists residency. (Power Plant Gallery, Queens Quay West, Toronto, Ontario) 20240530
For five immersive days, a team of six researchers had the opporunity to collaborate on ideas on rhythmic shifts (mostly based on Systems Changes Learning) and anticipatory systems (in the legacy of Robert Rosen). The 2024 Banathy Conversation was organized by the Creative Systemic Research Platform Institute, facilitated by Susu Nousala, Gary S. Metcalf, and […]
Systems Processes Theory has been under development for many decades, led by Len Troncale, a past president of the International Society for the Ssytems Sciences. Many have found getting a grip on the science to be a demanding task, both in scope and in depth. Over many decades, Lynn Rasmussen was a collaborator, refining and […]
The Socio-Technical Systems (STS) perspective, dating back to the studies of Eric L. Trist and Fred E. Emery, was on the reading list of organizational behaviour classes in my undergraduate and master’s degree programs. It wasn’t until 15 years later, when I got involved with the systems sciences and David L. Hawk, that the Socio-Ecological […]
Civic Tech can be described as projects using technology “for the public good“. Civic Tech may be related to, but different from Gov Tech. For the May 2024 Systems Thinking Onrtario, we had two knowledgeable guests in conversation. Dorothy Eng, executive director of Code for Canada since 2021, related her professional journey from engineering to […]
On my May trip through the UK, I accepted an offer to lead an Expert-Led Session at the University of Hull. I had previously been a Research Fellow of the Centre for Systems Studies, but haven’t travelled to the Hull for some years. As we worked out the arrangements, I found out that the seminar […]
I’ve been checking on the breadth of some personal research on systems thinkers. (The list is incomplete, and may orient more towards systems scientists). Searching on Scopus gives an h-Index that counts scholarly references (with a boost, for the first person on the list who received a Nobel prize in chemistry). The list below is […]
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 ›
How might our society show value for the long term, over the short term? Could we think about taxation over time, asks @carlotaprzperez in an interview: 92% for 1 day; 80% within 1 month; 50%-60% tax for 1 year; zero tax for 10 years.Read more ›
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 […]
The selection of readings in the “Introduction” to Systems Thinking: Selected Readings, volume 2, Penguin (1981), edited by Fred E. Emery, reflects a turn from 1969 when a general systems theory was more fully entertained, towards an urgency towards changes in the world that were present in 1981. Systems thinking was again emphasized in contrast […]
In reviewing the original introduction for Systems Thinking: Selected Readings in the 1969 Penguin paperback, there’s a few threads that I only recognize, many years later. The tables of contents (disambiguating various editions) were previously listed as 1969, 1981 Emery, System Thinking: Selected Readings. — begin paste — Introduction In the selection of papers for this […]