New Art Initiative Explores Sustainability Through Creativity

GO Train travel just got a little brighter. On Tuesday, No. 9: Contemporary Art and the Environment, Metrolinx and Toronto-based artists Jennifer Marman and Daniel Borins announced Art Train Conductor No. 9, a moving, mobile public art project. The initiative showcases the typically green and white GO train in a way never seen before, with one of its cars covered in abstract, brightly coloured vinyl wrap, and the inside ceiling featuring a similar look. Art Train Conductor No. 9 will operate on various corridors of the GO Transit Greater Toronto and Hamilton area networks. The project, originally conceived as a facet of this summer’s MOVE: Transportation Expo taking place at the Evergreen Brickworks, aims to encourage public transit and address urban environmental issues through the use of public art and a mobile app. 

The idea behind the project is that, through art and technology, the public art forum offered by the project will inspire riders to engage in a discussion about sustainable transportation solutions. The vibrant pops of colour and character transform the typically mundane public service to an aesthetically pleasing visual and platform for public debate. The design of the train wrap reflects artistic abstraction and camouflage in the natural world with its contemporary design, and features a break up of interconnected of images. 

While on board the train, GO riders will be encouraged to engage in a discussion about sustainable public transit, intelligent urban planning, sustainable living and environmental issues via a special mobile app called tetAtet. For this first week of the project, special docents will be on board to introduce riders to the app, which can be downloaded by scanning QR codes on the train’s interior. The app features video clips of a cross-section of diverse and informed individuals discussing the aforementioned issues. New video content will be added weekly to inspire discussion. The app is available for IPhone and Android and free for download here.

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No. 9 is an arts organization that brings awareness to environmental concerns through art and design by delivering programs in the public domain designed to encourage the use of creative thinking to resolve environmental issues and promote a sustainable lifestyle. The project marks an initiative to make art accessible and free, an increasing occurrence in Canadian cities.

“Public art is bringing the museum culture to people in their everyday activities,” said Jennifer Marman. “Art is now increasingly accessible through a rise in city art, a rise in arts-focused blogs and increased online resources,” she continues. She also points to the rise in initiatives on the part of art galleries designed to target a younger demographic, like The Power Plant’s Powerball and AGO’S Massive Party. As a result of such initiatives, more young professionals are finding themselves interested and informed about art. 

“Once you discover what you like, a domino affect results,” says Daniel Borins. “It inspires you to look further into it and, subsequently, other art.”

The pair hopes that their initiative will soon expand to the TTC to further promote public transport and sustainability. They would ideally like to see the livability in Toronto comparable to other sustainable cities like Copenhagen and Mexico City, with its “Bicycle Sundays.” 

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We do admit, there does seem to be a certain stigma among Toronto young professionals when it comes to public transportation. Spacing editor Shawn Micallef spoke to this stigma: “In Toronto, there is a notion among young professionals that public transit means you’re poor or in between jobs, with a car the symbol of success,” he said. “In New York and London, it is a part of life.” He hopes that one day the perceptions among Torontonians will change and predicts that we will notice a noticeable shift as soon as in the next five years. The good doesn’t happen on its own, however, and he encourages young professionals to get involved and express their voice through voting or sitting on committees. “The city is a ‘public living room’ – invest in it the same way you would your own,” he adds. 

The initiative will run until Saturday, December 1st, and is set to cover the entire GO network by the end of the five-month run. Even if you are not part of the GO commuter set, the GO Train heads directly to Niagara Falls – a popular weekend trip for YPs this summer – and perhaps this weekend!

Photos courtesy Art Train Conductor No. 9