Toronto-based artist Jasmin Pannu painting a storefront window in The Junction for the Window Wonderland exhibition, the city’s first augmented reality outdoor art exhibition.
Window Wonderland, The Junction’s first annual immersive urban art-walk, presented by Meds Junction Pharmacy, has begun and is the first activation of its kind in Toronto.
Taking place through the winter season, from Nov. 14, 2020 to Jan. 31, 2021, the exhibition will transform the city neighbourhood into an outdoor gallery that is interactive, engaging, and magical.
Window Wonderland is presented in partnership with Buds Collective, a Calgary-based organization that provides local artists and makers with opportunities, visibility, fair compensation, and access to tools and resources, and with Augle app, a Canadian-made art and lifestyle mobility platform that allows users to see an enhanced point-of-view of the world through augmented reality (AR).
Visitors can see the creations ‘come to life’ by downloading the app and pointing their phone cameras at the large-scale artwork displayed on the windows of 10 storefronts to engage with this outdoor public art experience.
“We needed to think outside the box and find new ways to support the Junction community, our local artists, and businesses during the pandemic,” said Carol Jolly, executive director of The Junction Business Improvement Area (BIA). “With creative thinking and collaboration, we’ve now turned a challenging circumstance into an incredible outdoor exhibition. Window Wonderland is bringing our eclectic neighbourhood to life and giving families a great reason to get outside this winter. Our goal is to support local artists, shops, and businesses during the colder months with a safe and magical experience all Torontonians will enjoy.”
“I built my installation to transport visitors into an enchanting snow globe scene, and to create the feelings of whimsy and wondrousness that winter and the holidays bring,” said Jasmin Pannu, owner of Jasmin Pannu Art Studio. “The Junction is a beautiful community, and I wanted to include design elements that inspire us to explore and connect.”
