"Golden Bone from the Dog Fountain at Berczy Park, Toronto"
Claude Cormier + Associés & Robinson Iron
Painted Cast Aluminum
Edition 2 of 5
8" x 8" x 30"

About the Piece
The revitalization of Berczy Park in downtown Toronto in 2017 integrated a dog fountain as an important element of triangulation into the heart of the park. Recent intensification in the surrounding neighborhoods has seen a large influx of residents, including children and pets, creating new park needs for more than 400 children and 1,500 daily dog visits within a two-block radius of the park alone. The dog fountain-a Victorian-inspired, two-tiered fountain with 27 life-size dog sculptures and the accoutrements of canine culture-provides a centerpiece that adopts the dog-spirited genius loci, as well as an interactive element of play and a brand icon for this picturesque, postcard park. The menagerie of dogs reflects the buzz of the adjacent business district, with a metaphor of doggie desire manifest in the ultimate object of their obsession-a golden bone perched at the apex of the fountain.

About the Artist
Claude Cormier + Associés, founded in Montreal in 1995, is renowned for projects that aim to enliven the public realm with joy and humor through designs that are intelligent, durable, stimulating for the mind, and comfortable for the body. From smaller early works, such as the Blue Stick Garden, to larger civic projects like Sugar Beach and Berczy Park, all in Toronto, and Dorchester Square, in Montreal, there is a common characteristic in their work, which embodies a visceral experience of surprise with an unexpected connection to history and place.

Robinson Iron is a workshop of skilled artisans established in 1946 in Alexander City, Alabama. Respected and sought out for custom, cast-metal restorations and heritage preservation, they are also renowned for executing one-of-a-kind works through diligent cooperation with designers and meticulous attention to detail. Robinson Iron has worked with Claude Cormier + Associés on several civic projects, including the fountains at the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences and Berczy Park, both in Toronto, and the horsetail-inspired fountain at Dorchester Square in Montreal.