Distillery's Monstrosity

If you live in Toronto, or if you visited it recently, chances are you've been in Distillery District. Its cobble stone alleys and red brick buildings are a huge draw for the tourists and locals alike. Especially, since the whole place had been turned into a maze of art galleries, furniture galleries, boutiques and restaurants with the only point in common being insanely high prices. Still, no one can resist the rugged charm of the place. Meg and I visit often in the summer, when a stage is built in the main square, in front of Balsac cafe. We'd sit outside, sip our overpriced drinks and enjoy the show.

This summer, instead of the stage, a huge metal monstrosity took the whole square. It's supposed to be art, some kind of modern sculpture, consisting of a cage-like structure, upon which a huge, red metal chimney-like cone was built. Another metal structure resembling a broken microphone, or possibly a lollipop, hangs attached from the chimney to the floor. See it for yourself, the picture says it all.

I'm really not an art-hater, but I do wonder which genius approved to have that piece of metal junk occupy the area best suited for entertainment. Or, did someone decide that Distillery's visitors will more enjoy staring at the "sculpture" and trying to figure out what the hell that is, than they'd enjoy live music and other performances on the stage? I can only hope we'll be able to reclaim the square soon.