These incredible public art installations are hitting The Beaches next month (PHOTOS)

Toronto’s Beaches will be getting its winter makeover for five weeks starting next month.

Winter Stations returns for its fourth year, welcoming international designers to bring public art installations to The Beaches. And winners of the annual competition were announced, showcasing renderings of the new exhibits soon to occupy Toronto’s waterfront landscape.

The installations, which run from February 19 until April 1, will be temporary structures that will be able to withstand our rigours winter weather.

Winners had to follow Winter Stations 2019 theme, RIOT: violent disturbance; uproar; outburst of uncontrolled feelings; a large or varied display. Below are some of the winning designs.

Pussy Hut (Martin Miller & Mo Zheng – Ithica, NY, USA)

“Symbols can bring us together or push us apart. The pussy hat united the world on Women’s Day, with cities and towns around the world, women and men, coming out in solidarity. The Pussy Hut celebrates the symbol of the hat and expands upon it to create a warm shelter from the cold.”

Obstacle (Kien Pham – Surbiton, United Kingdom)

“The installation “Obstacle” is the metaphor for the narrative of a person facing unspecific, seemingly insurmountable problems of the world, and the journey they undertake to confront and overcome those problems… At the centre, the lifeguard tower provides an elevated viewpoint, a spot of reflection on the Obstacle below, and to look hopefully at the world beyond.”

Wind Station (Paul van den Berg & Joyce de Grauw – Rotterdam, Netherlands)

“This is a call for a nuclear power phase-out… The Wind Station is a serious, but fun and friendly protest. The interactive pavilion has the iconic shape of a nuclear cooling tower. However, it is made of hundreds of toy pin wheels, refering to renewable energy. The pin wheels spin around in the wind, create a swishing sound and provide joy for children. Visitors can enter the pavilion through a small opening along the waterside. There they can climb the safety guard chair and experience the full moving shape from the interior.”

Winter Stations 2018 University Installations

Revolution (OCAD University)

Designed by: Ben Chang, Anna Pogossyan, Amr Alzahabi, Carlos Chin, Iris Ho, Tracee Jia, Krystal Lum, Adria Maynard, Purvangi Patel, Judiette Vu – Toronto, Ontario.

Nest (Ryerson University)

Designed by: Adrian Chiu, Arnel Espanol, Henry Mai – Toronto, Ontario.

Rising Up (University of Guelph)

Designed by: Alexander Good, Austin Huang, Kevin Sadlemyer, Marc Cote, Stephan Stelliga, Zixiang Chen, Nadia Amoroso, John Phillips, Sean Kelly – Guelph, Ontario.

The winning designs are amazing and will definitely attract more people to the beaches over winter.

Get your phones ready for some epic photos!

See also

• Toronto is getting a theatrical experience inspired by NYC's Sleep No More
• This massive (and free) Ontario winter festival is a must-visit next month
• This town 2 hours from Toronto is throwing a massive winter carnival