Yue Moon Public Art
Yue Moon 2021: A Community-Based, Multimedia Public Art Program
Yue Moon II Lanterns, 2021 Heritage Toronto Awards Public History Nominee. Image: Mila Bright.
Yue Moon II Animated Light, 2021 Heritage Toronto Awards Public History Nominee. Image: Mila Bright.
Project Organization: STEPS Public Art
Date of Release: December 4, 2020
Yue Moon (meaning full circle, completion, full moon) is a community-based, multimedia public art program developed in partnership by Chinatown BIA and STEPS Public Art. This collaborative art-making experience culminated in two distinct yet connected community-engaged public art installations animating the streets of Toronto’s Chinatown as part of the 2021 Lunar New Year celebrations. Building upon last year’s Yue Moon 2020 public art installation, artists PUFF Paddy and Meegan Lim return with the new addition of Winnie Truong to celebrate the 2021 Lunar New Year and the Year of the Ox while navigating the challenges of COVID-19.
Winnie Truong led an online workshop series introducing participants to illustration and basic stop-motion animation techniques that reflect on personal, cultural, and historical themes tied to the Lunar New Year. The artwork created by workshop participants led to Animated Light, a collaborative animation piece that was showcased as a large-scale outdoor digital projection at Chinatown’s Huron Square (450 Dundas St. West) where visitors could experience within safe distances.
PUFF Paddy led a community-based public art lantern project co-created alongside virtual workshop participants who developed original artwork for the final pieces. Lanterns were displayed at local shops and restaurants in Toronto’s Chinatown to brighten the winter months and support the community’s small businesses.
Additional Project Team Members:
Winnie Truong, Lead Artist
PUFF Paddy, Lead Artist
Meegan Lim, Artist Assistant
Linda Zhang, Artist Advisor
Chinese Gospel Church Toronto, Community Partner
Cecil Community Centre, Community Partner
OCAD Centre for Emerging Artists and Designers (CEAD), Community Partner