The landscape of downtown Toronto is changing at a rapid pace. For the past few years, (and many more years to come), a significant contribution to this growing change has been the presence of high rise cranes. They are building some of the tallest structures the city has ever seen. If you are in the core you can see one almost anywhere you look. As a Toronto native, watching the city transform before my eyes, I was inspired to talk to the people who build these incredible towers; specifically, high rise crane operators and concrete workers. With interviews of company officials that provide insight on the monumental construction process itself, I wanted to capture the stories of the people who create this extraordinary work, through photos and videos.
I will be displaying the results in a photography exhibition with some breath-taking views of the city of Toronto, from the vantage point of a crane operator. An opening reception will take place on Thursday, November 9th, 2017 from 6 to 9pm. The pop-up gallery will be open to the public through November 11th. The pop-up will feature a unique collection of large-scale prints on various formats. The goal is to help guests appreciate the scope of this work and to experience the views in a large format, as close as possible to real life. The photos and video installations will present an interactive curatorial component in the exhibition room. To attend please contact me at info@tonycicero.com.
Tower Automotive Building – One of Toronto’s first skyscrapers
The fascination for me was the new views of the city from vantage points previously unattainable, unless you were a bird or in a helicopter. So up the ladder I climbed…
Top of the Concert Tower 88 Scott 669ft – 204m
One foot over the edge at 700 feet!
George Petrantonakis and Craig Gibson of Local 793 at the Concert Tower at 88 Scott were my first subjects.
Crane Operator George Petrantonakis
Crane Operator Craig Gibson
Here is a live video from the top:
Here are some more photos from the top: