During the past few nights, residents of Toronto have been mesmerized by a powerful laser rainbow beaming across the night sky. The high specification laser light projection starts in Chinatown and lands squarely onto Toronto’s iconic CN Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere. According to New York and Berlin-based artist Yvette Mattern, the laser rainbow is a powerful and luminescent symbol of peace and hope that embraces geographical and social diversity. With a beam that has a trajectory of up to 60 km (37 miles), the project literally paints the sky with seven powerful lines, representing the beautiful spectrum of colors found in a rainbow.
Global Rainbow is part of Toronto’s annual event, Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, which brings contemporary art to the masses in public spaces. Nuit Blanche is now universally translated as “Sleepless Night.” The event was originally conceived in Paris in 2002, in an attempt to bring contemporary art to the masses in public spaces.
Nuit Blanche brings more than a million people to the streets of Toronto every year. From sunset to sunrise, spaces throughout the city are transformed into temporary exhibitions. Museums, galleries, and artist run centers open their doors and offer free access to contemporary art.
I personally had the opportunity to attend this year’s Nuit Blanche in Toronto. Here are my photos of Global Rainbow, taken from different vantage points throughout the city. If you’re in Toronto and haven’t seen it, you still have time. The installation will be running until October 13.
Above: (Taken on a rooftop, from the source of the projection.)
Taken in Chinatown, looking at the source of the laser projection.
Taken in Chinatown, looking at the CN Tower.
Taken across the street from the source.
Back on the rooftop the next day.
The view from the top of the CN Tower.
Photo credit: Eugene Kim/My Modern Met