Photo exhibit portrays city's magnificent trees.
The Toronto Trees project, initiated by LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) was photographed by award-winning photographer Vincenzo Pietropaolo, seen here, beside one of his photographs that are part of an exhibit at the Side Space Gallery on St. Clair Avenue, at Dufferin Street.
Staff photo/LISA RAINFORD
"Imagine if a tree could talk," mused social documentary photographer Vincenzo Pietropaolo during the media preview of the Toronto Tree Portraits project, the brain child of LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests), Wednesday morning, July 14.
LEAF pegged Pietropaolo, an award-winning photographer and environmentalist, to capture an image of each of the favourite trees of 16 prominent Torontonians after they had written about what their tree and the urban forest means to them. The photographs are part of an exhibit at the Side Space Gallery on St. Clair Avenue at Dufferin Street, which officially opens Thursday evening.
Amy Millan, Canadian Indie Rock singer/guitarist for the bands Stars and Broken Social Scene, chose a Weeping Willow tree that can be found on Bellevue Avenue, on her daily streetcar commute.
"I always thought, 'how perfect the most graceful, mysterious tree on a street with such a whimsical name... Bellevue.' For a minute, I'd be transported from the concrete of the city to a place where swans and elves might be hiding," wrote Millan.
John Van Burek, a professional theatre artist for more than three decades, chose the Manitoba Maple that envelopes the outdoor patio on the top floor of Tati Bistro on Harbord Street.
"Tati Bistro's fabulous upstairs and outdoor patio just seems to loll in its shade," wrote Van Burek.
Some people say the Manitoba Maple is just like a weed, said Pietropaolo, but as far as he is concerned, it's beautiful. This Manitoba Maple is hugging the mixed-use building on Harbord Street. To convey the overwhelming embrace of the tree and the bistro's patio, Pietropaolo climbed on top of the restaurant's roof to snap the picture.
"I wanted to show these trees in relation to their urban environment," said Pietropaolo, who says we as Toronto citizens don't appreciate the number of green giants there are on our residential streets. "Part of our great heritage in this city is our trees - they provide shelter, a place for self-reflection."
As for Pietropaolo's favourite tree, which is included in the Toronto Tree Portraits project, it is a Dawn Redwood near Grenadier Pond in High Park. Dawn Redwoods were long thought to be extinct until a forest was discovered in China a few decades ago. There are only a few in Toronto. The one in High Park is the largest.
"My favourite stands at the water's edge in High Park," wrote Pietropaolo. "In winter especially, the texture, its reddish bark is resplendent in the evening light."
North York based Pietropaolo says he is amazed by what it is that people love about trees. Everyone who participated in the project is so different yet connected in their love of trees, he said. The Toronto Tree Portraits project is yet another initiative LEAF developed in an effort to raise awareness of the urban forest. LEAF's home base is the nearby Artscape Wychwood Barns.
"This is our neighbourhood, we love it," said executive director Janet McKay.
Launched in June at LEAF's annual celebration event, the exhibit has been extremely well received and some of the photographs have already been purchased, she said.
"It's great to read the stories. It provides a window into the lives of some of Toronto's most notable citizens," said McKay. "People love it."
The opening reception takes place Thursday, July 15 between 7 and 9 p.m. at Side Space Gallery, 1080 St. Clair Ave. W. Afterward, the photographs will also be visible from the street. The exhibit will be on display until August 12. All funds from the sale of each piece go towards LEAF's planting, education and training initiatives. Visit www.yourleaf.org for details.