Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques
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Life: A Mosaic Tile Mural
Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2016
Northwest of the Broadview Avenue and Gerrard Street intersection can be found the Bridgepoint Hospital. In the hospital's northwest corridor, attached to the east wall, can be found this plaque. Here's what it says:
Coordinates: 43.666434 -79.355708 |
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The Mosaic life was completed in 1962 by Kitchener artist Margit Gatterbauer. It was originally mounted on a curved wall in the former Riverdale Hospital. The mosaic is 2.5 metres (8 feet) high and 26 metres (85 feet) long. It contains 600,000 glass tiles, and took two and a half years to complete.
Gatterbauer's design shows a family in a scene of earth and the heavens. It was intended to inspire and encourage hospital patients with imagery showing the richness of life.
Architect Len Hurst first had the idea to incorporate a large mosaic mural in the design of the hospital lobby. Hurst was committed to putting art in public buildings. He looked at other hospitals before creating his proposal for Riverdale. Gatterbauer shared Hurst's commitment and enthusiasm. She wanted to create "a very good work of art" that would truly express the time for future generations.
Gatterbauer prepared a full-size watercolour painting of the composition for approval before starting on the mosaic. The total cost, including design, was $17,000.
The following poem, written in 1962 explains the mosaics symbolism.
The Meaning of Life
The SUN is the most important requisite for life on earth.
The FAMILY group is the source of human life and the foundation of our civilization.
MAN holding the planets symbolizes the source of strength, exploration, and discovery.
WOMAN sitting on the earth symbolizes her duties and responsibilities for creation and family life.
The CHILDREN protected by man and wife are God's trust and man's hope for the future.
The ROCKS, EARTH, FOREST, and WATER were the beginning; after millions of years mankind developed a civilization.
The giant step from man's first erectness to our present day life is symbolized in the mural by the RAINBOW as the connecting link between nature or primitive society to the floating city or present day civilization.
FISH and BIRDS, WATER and SKY are our steady companions.
The MOON is the reciprocation of the sun as night is to day.
MOUNTAINS and ROCKS symbolize the obstacles over which we struggle to survive and conquer.
Related webpage
mosaic
Related Toronto plaque
Riverdale Hospital
Here is a map and a list of all the plaques on the Bridgepoint Hospital site. Links to the plaques can be found below.
Links to plaques on the Bridgepoint Hospital site
History of the Bridgepoint Hospital Site
Doctors & Nurses
The Evolution of Healthcare Services
The Exercise Yards at the Don Jail
The Gate House at the Don Jail
The Governor's House at the Don Jail
The Landscape: Scadding's Property
Riverdale Hospital
More
Arts
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