This movable bench was handcrafted using only reclaimed materials, in an attempt to reclaim Toronto's public spaces as hubs of empathy and connection. It was used as part of an Urban Intervention part of Toronto's inaugural 100 in 1 Day Festival in 2014. It was again used in the 2015 100 in 1 Day Festival as part of a "Popup Public Space in the 'Burbs".The wonderful and simultaneously most challenging part of living in a city like Toronto is that there is so much going on constantly. The density of a large city often results in individuals mentally isolating themselves from their surroundings and their neighbours. There is undeniably a strong correlation between happiness and sense of community, and the Met on a Bench project seeks to connect locals by starting with something as small as a conversation on a park bench.Participants were encouraged to take a breather from their day and join a stranger in personal conversation for no purpose beyond that. Conversation cards were provided if participants desired them.
2015 / 2014
all around Toronto
Created as part of the 2014 inaugural 100 in 1 Day Toronto, an event that aggregates hundreds of urban interventions in public spaces into one day