With the New Year in full swing, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the past while looking forward to the fresh start 2023 brings.
And it looks like Toronto got the memo.
The City of Toronto recently announced “The Burn”, an interactive installation that seemingly gives the public an outlet to heal and let go, especially when talking about the COVID-19 pandemic.
From Jan. 19 to March 12, residents can “set healing intentions” on wooden cedar spheres.
The idea was inspired by the “sacred” elements of fire and water, the city said in a press release on Tuesday.
The Burn was created by award-winning artist Roger Mooking, in collaboration with many others.
“The Burn was born out of a desperate need for healing and transformation. I have an ongoing lifelong obsession with fire and it’s ability to feed as well as cleanse us,” Mooking told Now Toronto.
My hope is that everyone from all corners of the city embrace the intention of love and find some healing individually and collectively. Love Only Beyond This Point.”
On March 11, which marks the third anniversary since the pandemic was first announced in Canada, cedar spheres will be brought to Nathan Phillips Square to be burned in a display of fire and water while immersive waves of sound play for 24 hours.
Ashes from The Burn will be kept, mixed into some soil and spread all over the city gardens to “honour the spirit of collective healing.”
“I’m so pleased that the City, in partnership with the Government of Canada, has created Stronger TOgether for residents to reflect on their individual and collective experiences in the pandemic. The Burn will demonstrate the hope and resilience of our residents. I invite Torontonians to reflect on their experiences and the experiences of their communities, and how far we’ve come,” Mayor John Tory said in the release.
The Burn will tour many communities in hopes of collecting Torontonians’ healing intentions. You can visit the art installation at any of these 20 stops.
(Photo courtesy: City of Toronto, Patrick Tomasso/ Unsplash)
