Mercer Union facts for kids
| Established | 1979 |
|---|---|
| Location | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Type | Contemporary Art |
| Public transit access | Lansdowne station |
Mercer Union is a special art space in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It's known as an "artist-run centre," which means artists themselves started it and help run it. Since 1979, Mercer Union has been a place to show exciting new art called contemporary art. This type of art is usually made by living artists and reflects modern times.
What is Mercer Union?
Mercer Union is a non-profit gallery where artists can show their work and experiment with new ideas. It's a place where you can see art that might be different from what you expect. The centre helps new and established artists share their creative projects with the public. It's a great spot to discover unique art and learn about what artists are thinking about today.
A Look Back: Mercer Union's Journey
Mercer Union was started in 1979 by a group of artists. They wanted a place where artists could have more control over showing their own work. The gallery first opened on Mercer Street in Toronto, which is how it got its name. Over the years, Mercer Union moved to a few different locations in the city. In 2008, it found its current home in the Bloor and Lansdowne area of Toronto's west end.
In 2007, Mercer Union showed a very interesting artwork by a Canadian artist named Michel de Broin. He created something called the "Shared Propulsion Car." This was an old Buick car that had its engine and inside parts removed. Instead, it was changed into a car that people could pedal, just like a bicycle! It had four seats, each with pedals and a brake system.
One day, staff from the gallery took the car for a ride on Queen Street West. The car was stopped, and the driver received a notice about operating a vehicle that wasn't safe. However, the issue was later resolved in court. Michel de Broin said that this outcome was a win for "the right to go slow." Interestingly, the same car was driven in New York City without any problems. This story shows how art can sometimes make people think about rules and freedom in new ways.
