Welcome to the third Wellness link up of 2019! You might like to read my January wellness post here, and February wellness post here. Feel free to join in on the fun with your recent or past wellness-related posts every second Wednesday of the month.
HEALTH GOAL UPDATES
I was at home the month of February which made it easier than when I travel to achieve my health goals. I use a simple sheet to keep track of all my goals for 2019, and write a monthly wrap up on my blog. My February wrap-up, including my Health activities, is posted here.
ICE BREAKERS for OUTDOOR FITNESS
For this month's Wellness post, the optional prompt is Indoor or Outdoor Fitness. I live in Ontario, Canada. In the winter months, the weather is unpredictable so it's necessary to do fitness activities both indoor and outdoor to stay healthy throughout the year.
Today, I'm sharing my 'fit and fun' outing to the Ice Breakers 2019 event in Toronto's Waterfront area. This is an annual outdoor event that showcases five winners of the Ice Breakers International Design Competition. Let's take a closer look at the five installations.
ICE BREAKERS 2019 - THE FIVE WINNERS
1. Tweeta-Gate by Eleni Papadimitriou and Stefanos Ziras of Space Oddity Studios SOS (Athens, Greece) - I like the yellow colour, the different shapes of the gates, and the small bells attached to the corners of each gate in this design. When you reach the end of the gate, you can see Lake Ontario.
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| Tweeta-Gate. Ice Breakers 2019 |
2. Chroma Key Protest by Andrew Edmundson of Solve Architects Inc. (Toronto, Canada) - I like the green colour and the simplicity of this design. The twenty-five wood buoys are anchored in a basin so I can look at them from the bridge but cannot touch them.
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| Chroma Key Protest, Ice Breakers 2019 |
3. Stellar Spectra by Rob Shostak and Dionisios Vriniotis (Toronto, Canada) - I like how this art installation invites interaction. When I look at the two light grey columns from the side walk, they are not that interesting. However, when I step inside each column and look up, I see warm colours (red, orange, yellow) in one column, and cool colours (blue, green, purple) in the other.
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| Stellar Spectra, Ice Breakers 2019 |
4. Tripix by Ryerson University (Toronto, Canada) - The modern look of this design is interesting. When I examine it closely, the reflective panels and how light gets through the gaps give a kaleidoscopic effect.
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| Tripix, Ice Breakers 2019 |
5. Connector by Alexandra Griess and Jorel Heid (Hamburg, Germany) - I like the striking orange colour of this design and how it invites interaction. I've seen children speak into the black mouth pieces at the corners and listen to the sound transmission.
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| Connector, Ice Breakers 2019 |
WHAT I GAINED:
- Raised heart rate from the brisk walk outdoors.
- An enjoyable walk along the waterfront on a sunny day.
- Positive sensory experiences from the visual art exhibits, the clear blue skies, the lake view, the sound of the bells, the touch and feel of most exhibits, the sunlight, and the cold air.
OVERALL RATING: I gave this outing five out of five points, one point for each of the following:
- Affordability: Admission to the event is free.
- Elements that support wellness: The art installations are along the Waterfront Trail which is open year round to cyclists, joggers, and pedestrians.
- Fun: The art exhibits are interesting and interactive.
- New experience: It was my second visit to the Ice Breakers event so I'm familiar with the event but the exact locations of the art installations changed slightly. I wrote about Ice Breakers 2018 here.
- Uniqueness: The Ice Breakers event is once a year and each year five new winners are chosen.
I was pleased with how well this winter outing turned out. I left the Ice Breakers art installations feeling energized and joyful. Another fun walk, another good day!
I look forward to doing more fit and fun walks in the Spring. The next Wellness link up will be on Wednesday, April 10. Optional prompt: Healthy Mind.
Which of the above five winners do you like the most? I'd love to hear your comments.
I wonder why these sculptures are called "ice breakers" They are all very original. Love the last one, looks like Spaghetti !
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gattina, for your visit and comment. I think the term "Ice Breakers" in this case is for marketing purposes and is more along the line of 'breaking the ice', 'getting to know' expression. The theme of the art installations changes annually. This year's theme is "Signal Transmission".
DeleteWhat a great installation to promote outdoor fitness over the winter. It's autumn here and the rain is beginning to impact my running... even with the rain it is invigorating doing my cardio out doors.
ReplyDeleteSSG xxx
Being outdoors and close to nature really elevates the fitness experience. Safe running to you, SSG.
DeleteHi Natalie what a fun way to keep fit outdoors. I had started a post based on your prompt but felt the one I wrote was appropriate for my monthly theme. There are so many ways to keep fit indoors and outdoors and sometimes you just need a post like your to show that there are creative options. Thanks for #WellnessWednesday and look forward to next month's link up. xx
ReplyDeleteThe Wellness prompt is optional, Sue, so no need to feel restricted by it. I like the variety of the posts in the link-up. Plus Listening to your inner voice is a good reminder. Thank you for joining me.
DeleteWow Canada is impressive with its indoor and outdoor art and sculptures! This is another fine example. Of course, being Australian and living in the tropics of Queensland, I'm so envious of the snow - such a novelty to me. I'm not sure of the practicalities of living with it but it sure is pretty! :-) #TeamLovinLife
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful to live in a city that supports the arts, Min. Snow flakes are magical and fresh snow is a beautiful gift from Mother Nature. Of course for people who have to shovel the snow, it's work but the snow doesn't last.
DeleteHi Min - I found your 2nd comment from my email but couldn't locate it in Blogger so I copied and pasted it here... Thank you for hosting ZTT and sharing Zen tips.
DeleteIt's a beautiful city Natalie. If I ever get to Canada I will most definitely be visiting it! Snow sure is beautiful and a gift from Mother Nature. I've only ever had one tiny experience with on a road trip we spent a day at Thredbo - an alpine village and ski resort in the Snowy Mountains in NSW - southeastern Australia. It wasn't snowing though but there was snow that we played in and taboggoned on etc. Thanks so much for linking up this post with #ZTT xo
Finally remembered to get my rear in gear and get a post written so I can take part in your Wellness Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteI love your post with all the creative and unique public art pieces. Thank you for sharing something I wouldn't have a chance to see otherwise!!
Thank you, Trisha, for joining us on this Wellness Wednesday. I greatly appreciate your post. The next Wellness link up is on April 10. Optional prompt Healthy Mind.
DeleteI love this idea. It must be tough in the winter months in your climate to get outside, but an event like this would be temptation enough.
ReplyDeleteI'm used to the four seasons, Jo, and I love walking outdoors. The art installations are fun to visit. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteHi, Natalie - The Ice Breaker's winning entries look amazing. I love them all -- especially the first one (Tweeta-Gate). I like the yellow colour, the different shapes of the gates, and the small bells attached to the corners of each gate in this design. When you reach the end of the gate, you can see Lake Ontario.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna - I like the Tweeta-Gate, too. I'm glad that the five winning entries offer different and bright colours. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteStella Spectra for me....#LIfethisweek
ReplyDeleteYes, Stella Spectra is a nice surprise.
DeleteAnd again for #MLSTL - shared
DeleteThank you, Lydia. Have a great day!
DeleteI like the last one, Connector. It certainly stands out against the snow!
ReplyDeleteThe bright orange is striking, isn't it? Thank you, Kirsty, for stopping by.
DeleteOh cool, I love art installations like this. I like all of them!
ReplyDeleteI like them, too. Thank you, Alicia, for your comment.
DeleteSo challenging to get outdoors in the middle of winter!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michele, for you visit and comment. We're heading to spring now with sunny days and sidewalks that are clear of snow and ice.
DeleteThat looks like such a fun excursion. Certainly better than just walking about this one had lots of color and interest to hold you and you might have felt as if you were in an amusement park or a fairy garden.
ReplyDeleteThe different art designs and colours certainly make my walk more fun. Thank you, Mary, for your visit and comment.
DeleteWhat a fun time!! This makes it fun to get out in the cold weather!!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
#seniorsalon
The art works are quite fun to visit. We have spring weather this week so no more ice and snow. Thank you, Jodie, for stopping by.
DeleteI love being outdoors, Natalie. It's nice when you can combine that with some culture. Have a lovely week!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a nice combo. Thank you, Christie, for stopping by. Enjoy Spring!
DeleteI bet you can't wait for summer! Though I suppose if you grow up in this climate it's normal. Thank you for sharing the sculptures with me. I shall look forward to your ice melting. :) :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jo, for your comment and linking up. All the ice and snow at the art installation sites are gone as we've had spring-like temperatures all weekend and this week :)
DeleteThanks for visiting my blog. I'll definitely link up next month
ReplyDeleteThat will be great, KB. Looking forward!
DeleteThese look great Natalie and I love the orange connector, it looks like fun! What a great concept a wellness park :) #ztt
ReplyDeleteThe bright orange Connector really stands out. Thank you, Debbie, for stopping by.
DeleteThanks for sharing at #MLSTL Natalie and I will share on social media. Have a great week! x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue. You have a great week, too.
DeleteHi Natalie - it sounds like you had a fabulous time. We have Sculptures by the Sea happening in Western Australia atm and there are so many FB posts from my friends who live in the city (where they're set up) commenting on how much they love them - for all the reasons you give with your outing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I've shared on my SM :)
Hi Leanne - The Sculptures by the Sea event sounds like a lot of fun. Thank you for hosting MLSTL and sharing on your SM.
DeleteHi, Natalie - I've shared this on my Social Media.
ReplyDelete#MLSTL
Thank you, Donna. Happy 1st day of Spring!
DeleteLove learning more about what your city holds and how you enjoy it! Thank you for linking up for Life This Week. Next week's optional prompt is 12/51 Memories I'd Like To Re-Capture. Denyse
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denyse, for hosting LTW. I look forward to reading your post next week.
DeleteBreaking the ice... it’s really a good motivation, I believe it sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Erica, for your visit and comment. It's our 1st day of Spring here. I hope to share photos of spring flowers soon :)
DeleteEeek! Look at all that ice. My feet a freezing just thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteProper Canadian winter boots required :) The ice and snow are all gone by our first day of Spring (today). The art installations have been removed as they're temporary exhibits.
DeleteHow civic-minded is your town! Love it, even if it's cold :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Betty, for your comment. Our first day of spring is today and the weather is spring-like :)
DeleteAnd thanks for linking up over at My Corner of the World, too!
DeleteIt’s great that the city promotes getting out of doors in the winter through things like art installations.
ReplyDeleteJude
Yes, I think so, Jude. I look forward to this event in the winter. Thank you for stopping by.
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