Illuminated Art Wall

This expansive 129’ long bridge in downtown Toronto, connecting the Scotiabank Arena and Union Station Bus Terminal in the CIBC SQUARE, features a striking illuminated art piece along the walls. Through fine engineering and meticulously tailored lighting and detailing, renowned artist Nicolas Baier’s vision comes to life with vivid illumination. A custom designed and highly complex hidden structural system houses multiple layers of precisely machined acrylic panels with a mirror-finish back, creating the illusion of infinite movement and energy without detracting from the aesthetic. With the ability to also shift lighting colors for holidays or special events, the intensity of this artistic statement is palpable to anyone traversing the footbridge. These illuminated acrylic panels create a stunning visual experience in this space.

“The work refers to mycelium. The filaments of this natural network, formed of elongated and partitioned cells, are everywhere in the ground where they can cover thousands of meters or even several square kilometers. They are earth’s biggest living organism. This work is, so to speak, in symbiosis with the complex. It gives to it a subtle symbol, it exposes its reason for being, it allows the CIBC Square to carry its own emblem high and proud.” -Nicholas Baier

What is so unique about this bridge is that it is publicly visible not only inside the footbridge, but also through the exterior glass windows opposite of the feature wall, creating a visual dynamic for pedestrians to enjoy from both inside and out. With public transpiration being so crucial in downtown Toronto, GPI and everyone involved, their main goal was to create a sense of delight to oncoming pedestrians throughout their day. "The design is the result of what we could call a “virtual self-growing network” that uses the inherent qualities of the pattern of the glass and the structure of the bridge to ‘grow’ itself.” states Baier.