Menkes unveils installation attributed to Banksy

By NextHome Staff
February 17, 2017
Menkes Developments, unveiled a public art installation in downtown Toronto on February 13, featuring a stencil attributed to the anonymous British artist Banksy, referred to as “Guard with Balloon Dog.”Designed in the stenciled approach to graffiti art associated with works by Banksy, the piece was originally applied to the rear facade of the vacant building previously situated at 90 Harbour Street in May 2010, when Banksy visited Toronto following the release of his film, Exit Through the Gift Shop. The same weekend in May, six other works attributed to the artist appeared throughout the city.In 2011, the Harbour Street property was purchased by Menkes for redevelopment and demolition of the building commenced. Aware of the Banksy work on the building’s facade, demolition crews were instructed to protect the panels of limestone on which the art was applied. Subsequently, Menkes had the slabs removed, preserved and professionally restored in anticipation of finding a new home for the piece in the public realm.“Banksy’s visit to Toronto was well documented, so we were aware of the presence of ‘Guard with Balloon Dog’ on the building when we began the process of purchasing the 90 Harbour property,” says Jared Menkes, vice president of the highrise residential division of Menkes. “As soon as we were able to do so, we took steps to protect the piece and were able to preserve and remove the slabs from the building during the demolition process.”
Watching the curtain drop, from left designer Johnson Chou, Alan Menkes, Peter Menkes and Jared Menkes. (Photo by Paul Casselman)
The restoration of the Banksy, its re-installation, and the fabrication and installation are all part of a $2 million public art package included by Menkes in the Harbour Plaza/One York project.http://www.menkes.com/

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