Hello and welcome to Weekend Coffee Share #29! I’m glad you’re here. Please come on in, help yourself to a cup of coffee, or tea, hot chocolate, or cold drink at my coffee station and let’s chat.
It was a mainly sunny and warm week. Ontario moved to Step 3 of the 3-Step Reopening plan on July 16. This means indoor dining, indoor fitness centres, indoor swimming pools, movie theatres, art galleries, concert halls, conservatories, and more businesses are re-opened with capacity limits.
I enjoyed cycling, walking around town to see outdoor art exhibits and taking photos at different angles. After sixteen months of restrictions and lockdown, fountains with water flowing gave me joy.
I’m sharing five eye-catching art stations for the weekend. In each of my photo galleries, I encourage you to click on the “About” photo and read it as it explains the artists’ intentions.
The first four stations are winning designs for Toronto’s 2021 Spring Stations exhibition. They were selected by a jury from a record-breaking 400+ submissions from around the world. The theme of the exhibition, Refuge, asked designers to “reflect on the ongoing pandemic and consider what refuge means to each of us: a shelter, a place of comfort and security, a sanctuary.”
1. ARc de Blob
East view 
West view 
Rear view 
About ARc de Blob
2. The Epitonium
East view 
North view 
Entrance 
About The Epitonium
3. From Small Beginnings
East view 
West view 
Bench 
About From Small Beginnings
4. THROBBER
Blue-Green-Yellow 
Red-Pink-Purple 
Orange-Red and Rear view 
About THROBBER
5. Plant It Forward
This urban garden/ sculpture installation created by John Notten is one of five winners of Toronto’s 2020 Temporary Parklet Design Build Competition.
The concept of Plant It Forward by John Notten:
I enjoyed these art stations and their messages. Happy weekend, everyone!
Shared with #LifeThisWeek, #PPAC6, #SundayStills, #ThursdayDoors, #WWE89.
Which of the above art stations do you like? I’d love to hear your comments.
Copyright © 2023 natalietheexplorer.home.blog – All rights reserved.
Natalie the Explorer 
Ooh how exciting to be out and about even more now. So good for you and your fellow citizens. What a cool & creative idea this was. I liked Throbber as I am a huge fan of rainbow colours and brights and I like the little trees one too. A city coming back to life. Just the best. Thank you for the link up. Denyse (PS, not whingeing about our lockdown..it’s very necessary but we wish the politics of it all would go away , and many more get vaccinated!!
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Hi Denyse, It’s great to see Toronto coming back to life this summer after a long lockdown. Our vaccination program continues so hopefully we won’t experience any setback. I’m glad you liked the art exhibits. The bright colours of Throbber stood out. Thank you for linking up. Have a nice weekend!
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Thank you for being part of this week’s Life This Week link up. I enjoy seeing the posts linked by the community of friendly bloggers every Monday …and you are one of those. Next week’s optional prompt is Question. I hope to see you then. Denyse.
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Thank you, Denyse. I hope to see you at the upcoming Weekend Coffee Share link-up.
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I think the Epitonium was my favourite Natalie – very nautilus shell like and pretty (and kind of funtional too). Thanks for hosting another great party.
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Hi Leanne, The Epitonium is an excellent choice. People like to enter and take pictures of it from the inside. I enjoyed reading your informative blog post. Keep smiling. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare.
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These are great and I love the overall concept too. Thank you for including shots of the information boards, they were interesting to read. My favourite is the Epitonium as I love the shape, but the Throbber is great too – I never knew that little icon had a name 🙂
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Sarah, I like the Epitonium, too. Now we have a name for the Throbber icon 🙂
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Loved the throbber and the information about it. Thank you for taking those photos too, my favorite was plant it forward. I large message there! Donna
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Donna, The Plant It Forward concept is so good for our environment. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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I like the Plant It Forward. It’s striking and practical. You do see the coolest things!
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Ally, The Plant It Forward concept is so good for our environment. It was great to see it IRL.
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These are such fun art pieces 😀 😀
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I agreed 🙂 Thank you, Cee, for your comment.
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You’ve been enjoying yourself immensely this week by the look of things! I really like the first photo, you should print that one. The plant it forward idea is awesome! I like the installation with the wheelbarrows a lot. Thank you for hosting the coffee share this week!
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Maria, It’s been a good summer so far. I’m glad you liked my first photo and the Plant It Forward installation. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and linking up.
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These are wonderful photos, Natalie. They’re all great, but I love the freedom arches.
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Dan, I’m glad you liked my photos. The Freedom arches also look great at night with lights on. I was going to submit this post to Thursday Doors with my tongue-in-cheek thinking that my “contactless” entrances are suitable during covid-19 pandemic 🙂
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As far back as when Norm was running this challenge, we’ve accepted a wide definition of “door” – these would be welcome 🙂
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Thank you, Dan. You’re a generous host. Have a great vacation! I have a number of doors to submit in August 🙂
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I look forward to that 😊
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I love public art… it’s such a treat to come upon something like that in my travels (even just around town). Although I liked them all, the Epitonium was my favorite.
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Janis, I like the Epitonium, too. It’s surely a treat to see nice public art. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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These are really great – so uplifting. I love The Epitonium.
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I like the Epitonium, too. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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I love the plant it forward and the rainbow pod….very cool!
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I like the bright colours of those two art structures. The Plant It Forward concept is good for our planet. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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Back also for #Lifethisweek
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Each installation is so neat! I love the greenery of Plant it Forward and the bright colors of the rainbow pods but that Epitonium is so neat structurally!
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I’m glad you liked these art installations. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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What a wonderfully artistic city you live in. I love them all but my favorite has to be the Plant It Forward. Awesome shots, thanks for sharing. 🙂
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JP, I’m glad you liked these art installations. The Plant it Forward concept is so good for our planet. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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I always feel as though I’ve taken a trip after reading your posts, Natalie. I love the pastels colors of ARc de Blob, but really all are magnificent. Thanks for sharing!
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Jill, I feel fortunate to have so much beautiful and interesting art to explore in Toronto. The ARc de Blob has eye-catching colours and interesting details. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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Such amazing, colorful art! Thanks for hosting!
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Thank you, Susan, for your comment and for linking up.
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I adore outdoor art!
Thank you for taking us along to view these lovely installations – it must have been so much fun given the lovely weather you’ve been having. I am so tickled by Arc de Blob!
So glad to hear that Toronto has moved to Phase 3! Hope you are enjoying some of the amenities available to you now.
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Ju-Lyn, It’s been a very good summer so far and yes, I’ve been having a lot of fun outdoors. The colours of ARc de Blob are so cheerful. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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One of the reasons I look forward to your posts – you enjoy so many of my favourite things: the outdoors, art, nature …
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I’m glad to hear you look forward to my posts 🙂 Have a great week ahead!
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I am looking at your post again and The Epitonium has caught my attention this time – the spiralling design, the spaces. the concept behind it is so enticing. These art stations are such a wonderful presentation.
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I like the Epitonium leaning shell design and natural colour. Its interior is actually spacious enough for 4 people to stand in. I saw four girls entered it to take photos from inside.
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What fun! I love interactive installations like this! It’s not so easy to discern scale through photographs …. I am imagining 4 people inside!
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Many public art installations in Toronto are interactive.
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Hi Natalie, my favourite is Plant it Forward – a play on the words pay it forward, and with a sustainability message. I’m so happy for you that restrictions are finally lifting. Unfortunately we’re seeing the opposite in Australia and it feels like we’ve gone back to square one. I blame the slow vaccine rollout and the complacency of people here towards the virus. I really hope we can control this latest outbreak without losing too many lives. Have a lovely weekend, regards Christina
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Hi Christina, I like Plant It Forward too. Its design and concept are good for our planet. Vaccinations have helped us get out of our long lockdown. We still have work to do to stop the spread of covid-19 and its variants. Stay safe and well during your lockdown.
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I am amazed at how rich Toronto is in terms of sculptures, architectural designs, and greenery. Would love to visit this place some day 🙂
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Moumita, Toronto is a treasure trove for the things you mentioned. I hope you get to visit Toronto with plenty of time to explore the city.
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Wow, I am happy for you that you are opening up and also happy to see these wonderful and colourful public art.
I have seen some colourful streets and streetart too when Norm was hosting the weekly doors challenge and I was thinking that I would love to go there one day. Thanks for sharing these.
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Teresa, There’s a lot of beautiful public art in Toronto. I hope you get to visit Toronto with plenty of time to explore the city.
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I hope I can one day…because I get so excited when I see them murals ❤️👍🏼
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If you like murals, you’re in for a treat in Toronto. Feel free to contact me when you visit 🙂
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Will do! But seems to be going a long time still as we are still having problems containing the spread of covid here so borders are shut!
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Very cool installations/stations. Public art is always great, and public art with a purpose even better.
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I’m glad you liked these art installations. Have a great weekend!
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I really should visit the closest city and picture the art there! You’ve inspired me. Thanks fir the photo tour!
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Glad I’ve inspired you 🙂 Thank you for stopping by.
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Hi, Natalie – I join you in the joy of emerging from lockdown. The art stations are stunning and their messages timely. Thank you for sharing them with us.
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Hi Donna, The re-opening has been great. I hope you’re having a fabulous summer. Thank you for stopping by.
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The Epitonium looks so precarious… love it
~B
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B, The Epitonium is a beautiful design and idea. I’m glad you like it.
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What a fun post, Natalie and it’s full of public art. I love how you labeled each side. Epitonium and Throbber are my favorites.
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Thank you, Marsha, for your kind comment. I like the Epitonium shell design and Throbber bright colours.
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Exactly, that’s what I like too. I hope you are not going to run out of public art. You live in a beautiful place.
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It seems impossible for me to run out of public art. Toronto has many amazing outdoor arts that I’ve seen and haven’t got time to post, and new ones are added every year.
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I am always amazed at how much you share and how much beauty there is. You do a great job of displaying it. You should be on the Toronto Chamber of Commerce or Tourism Council. 🙂 I used to be part of our local Chamber of Commerce and also the Sequoia Tourism Council. It’s a great niche. I’m sure they would love to use some of your photos at the very least.
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Thank you, Marsha. Your comment made me happy 🙂 I pay attention to what and how I display images on my blog, not to any standard but my own. I’m passionate about Toronto. Before the covid pandemic, I thought of organizing my own free walks and cycling tours of Toronto, to share the beauty of my home city to visitors and not to make money. I may turn some of my photos of Toronto into “coffee table books” one day and give them away as gifts.
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That’s a great idea. I like to give away puzzles, too. Here you can have puzzles made of your photos for about $15.
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Puzzles are great, practical and fun gifts. Thanks, Marsha, for the idea.
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The concept of Plant It Forward sounds intriguing. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you, Astrid, for your comment. I greatly appreciate it.
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This all looks so amazing! I love most of them for different reasons. The Plant it Forward concept is wonderful and much-needed. I’m so glad to hear your restrictions have eased further! Hope you have a lovely week and weekend ahead!
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Thank you, Sanch, for sharing your thoughts on these art stations. It must have been quite a job for the jury to select them from 400+ entries. Have a great weekend!
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Interesting exhibits. I like the Arc de Blob and the Epitonium is really unique.
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Thank you, Deborah, for sharing your thoughts on these art stations. I like ARc de Blob cheerful colours and the Epitonium shell design.
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That was interesting. Thank you! I found myself most attracted to the wheelbarrow artwork. Lovely concept.
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Thank you, Lizl, for sharing your thoughts on the art stations. Plant It Forward concept sounds good for our planet.
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Holy Cow, I love the art stations. So very cool. I could spend a lot of time looking at them. We have been pretty much open for a month here but I am thinking that we might get more restrictions as cases are on a uptick here.
Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
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I’m glad you like these art stations. It’s a concern when covid-19 cases go up. I hope your city won’t have any major setback. Have a great weekend!
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I like the Epitonium. I love the odd shape and I think the white color helps because if it were red or dark blue or black or somthing like that I wouldn’t like it at all. The really bright color one kind of turned me off. Too bright!
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I like the natural colour and shell design of the Epitonium. Thank you, Tessa, for sharing your thoughts on these art stations.
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Yes I liked the shell shape.
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Plant it forward is my fave of these. I love outdoor art.
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I like Plant It Forward, too. You may have to plan a long stay in Toronto just to see our outdoor art.
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I reckon so!
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I love the Plantit Forward display, Natalie. And I am so happy to read Ontario is in a new phase for reopening! My step-daughter is getting married in Sedona, Arizona late next month and her future in-laws live in Quebec, so this is good news for them to be able to travel to the US for the wedding. I always enjoy your informative posts and photography. Great work on linking with the geometric theme for Sunday Stills. Have a wonderful week and enjoy those fountains!
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Terri, I like the Plant It Forward earth-friendly concept and design. It’s perfect timing that I saw these art stations and they fit your geometric theme.
The re-opening is definitely good news for your stepdaughter’s future in-laws. I’m happy to hear good news and see flowing water fountains 🙂 Thank you for hosting Sunday Stills. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Okay, I seriously need to visit Toronto. So cool. I’ll join up again next week.
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Yes, put Toronto on your travel list. Thank you, Kirstin, for stopping by. Have a great weekend!
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Hello there. All are terrific. I think I like THROBBER the most. Neil S.
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Thank you, Neil, for your comment. I greatly appreciate it. I like Throbber bold colours and how people can interact with it by standing in each of the “booths”.
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Hi Natalie, It never ceases to amaze me all the beautiful art, architecture and landscapes you have over there. I love the colours and joy in Arc de Blob but I also love the structural likeness of a sea shell of The Epitonium – it’s very pleasing on the eye. Love them all really! Hope you have a wonderful week!
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Hi Min, I’m glad you like these art stations. Toronto has a lot of beautiful arts and interesting places to explore. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Have a great week!
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It’s wonderful things are opening up more that is exciting! Wonderful art stations you shared. Such beautiful photos!! Thank you for the coffee this weekend!! ❤️
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Hi Diana, I’m glad you liked these art stations and my photos. I had fun visiting and photographing them. Thank you for stopping by. Have a great week!
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Throbber and Arc de Blob looks so much fun!
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They both have vibrant colours.
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Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. Not sure why you had trouble opening my profile. I clicked on the link and it opened right up. Anyway, the art installation look fantastic. I am glad you were able to get out and enjoy.
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Thank you, Kelleyn, for your visit and comment. I went to your blog from the Weekend Coffee Share link-up and wasn’t able to open your profile. Maybe it’s not accessible via InlInkz. I’ll try again directly from your blog. I hope you enjoy the coffee shares and consider joining us again.
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Fantastic post, Natalie 👏 Thanks for sharing such unique pieces; my favourite was the Epitonium, the whole structure was very calming 😃
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Thank you, Jez, for sharing your thoughts. The Epitonium is beautiful with its leaning shell design and natural colour.
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I love that you can get out and about and it’s so wonderful to see Toronto come back to life through your blog posts. Toronto is such an artistic city and I enjoyed your virtual sculpture tour. I think my favourite would be Arc de Blob, it’s just so vibrant and colourful!
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Thank you, Sammie, for your comment. ARc de Blob colours are cheerful. I heard about the lockdown in Sydney. Thinking of you and wishing you well.
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These are certainly eye catching Natalie, so interesting and I love visiting these places via your posts. Many thanks. #lifethisweek
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Debbie, I’m glad you found these art stations interesting. Thank you for stopping by. Have a great week!
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The restrictions and lockdown really emphasize how the concept of joy can change. I greatly enjoy seeing the art and the architecture. Interesting about perspective such as the East and North view of the Epitonium. Thank you for sharing a fascinating post, Natalie ❤️
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I’m glad you liked my post, Erica/ Erika. It was great fun to see and photograph these art installations at different angles. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful week!
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