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Deer Diana

Deer Diana
The mural is Deer Diana by Alfalfa. You find it by going through an archway beside 642 King St. W. in Toronto into this little courtyard.

This is the first step in, coincidentally, one of the projects of the STEPS initiative. Part of the plan here is to "create an integrated network of public laneways showcasing public art. "

Well this is a good start, eh? I'll be keeping an eye on this.

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As rdhinmn points out below, in classical mythology Diana turned Actaeon into a deer, and his hunting dogs killed him. Thanks to Bob for clarifying that. He may so far be the only person other than Alfalfa to get the allusion.

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About the STEPS initiative:
stepsinitiative.com

About the mural:
stepsinitiative.com/project/deer-diana

Alfalfa on Instagram:
www.instagram.com/a_l_f_a_l_f_a/?hl=en

aNNa schramm, Berny, Sarah P., tiabunna and 7 other people have particularly liked this photo


20 comments - The latest ones
 rdhinmn
rdhinmn club
Glad you caught the guy taking STEPS. And wasn't it Acteon who got changed into a deer by Diana, who treasured her privacy? No telling what she'd do to the muralist, but we hope he doesn't have any hunting dogs, unless they're golden retrievers.
4 years ago.
John FitzGerald club has replied to rdhinmn club
You're quite right, Bob. It's always good to have a classical scholar among one's contacts. I'll add that to the description. Thanks.
4 years ago. Edited 4 years ago.
Sarah P. club has replied to John FitzGerald club
I got the joke too, but Bob beat me to the comment. Not for the first time.
Being a nice person, Bob didn't actually spell out the gruesome end of Acteon when Artemis (Diana in Roman terms) turned his dogs on him in his guise as a deer and they shredded him to bits.
Of course, that was the story told by Acteon's friends. I'm guessing Artemis (#SheToo) had a different version ...
Having said all that, it's a fun picture of a delightful tongue-in-cheek artwork that could be interpreted in many ways. Apparently, the steps people think it symbolizes "a quintessential Canadian animal symbolizing grace, lightheartedness, freedom, intuition, and beauty."
4 years ago.
John FitzGerald club has replied to Sarah P. club
I knew Artemis/Diana back when she was still just plain Marge, Sarah. Always fighting with her brother. Then she found she could turn people into animals (remember that little kid Siproites?) and she just went wild. Started calling herself Artemis and canoodling with that guy O'Ryan or whatever his name was. After him came a succession of young women, including one that...she turned into a bear. Go figure, eh? She went to great lengths to make herself over but in the end she never managed to be anyone but the same old Marge. She finally realized it, though, and settled down with that aluminum siding salesman. I don't think she's turned anyone into an animal in years now. She does a lot of volunteer work, too. More power to her, I say.
4 years ago. Edited 4 years ago.
Sarah P. club has replied to John FitzGerald club
LOL. Sounds like the story of my life.
4 years ago.
John FitzGerald club has replied to Sarah P. club
And more power to you, Sarah. Incidentally, I think the most Canadian thing about deer is that they survive in hostile environments. I suppose you see the same thing in the States -- deer living in densely populated city neighbourhoods. Give 'em a stand of trees and they're moving in.
4 years ago.
 Jean
Jean
A different sort of cityscape. We need more little city lanes like this.
4 years ago.
John FitzGerald club has replied to Jean
Toronto needs them, too. Melbourne, of course, is world-renowned for its laneway development, and you'd think other cities would be eager to follow their example. But so far in Toronto there's been more talk than action.
4 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Excellent street shot!

Admired in:
www.ipernity.com/group/tolerance
4 years ago.
John FitzGerald club has replied to William Sutherland club
Thanks, William.
4 years ago.
 Keith Burton
Keith Burton club
This is a lovely corner of the city John..........and the project seems to be a wonderful idea. They'll need to keep an eye on the quality of the artwork though................the mural is absolutely stunning, but the "art" on the opposite wall looks a bit questionable...........ultimately though it's all going to be subjective!

Very well taken John.............and how clever of you to find a man whose shirt almost matches the pattern of the paving in the foreground :-)

Interesting stuff in the links as well..............thanks for sharing.
4 years ago. Edited 4 years ago.
John FitzGerald club has replied to Keith Burton club
Thanks, Keith. I'd like to get back there soon to check out the wall on the right. I didn't continue on to the back, either. I was probably distracted by my desire for a coffee at a coffee shop I like near there.
4 years ago.
 J. Gafarot
J. Gafarot club
Fine initiative, nice picture John.
4 years ago.
John FitzGerald club has replied to J. Gafarot club
Thanks, José.
4 years ago.
 tiabunna
tiabunna club
This looks a very pleasant area, John. It's interesting that 'public art' seems to be taking on worldwide - even in rural areas out here!
4 years ago.
John FitzGerald club has replied to tiabunna club
It certainly brightens up the streets, George. I'm all for it. Toronto's streets are a lot more interesting now than they were thirty years ago. More murals and more sculpture.
4 years ago.
 Denis Croissant
Denis Croissant club
LOL...
4 years ago.
John FitzGerald club has replied to Denis Croissant club
That is a highly attractive feature of this piece, Denis. Torontonians are addicted to solemnity, so this piece may help them lighten up.

I apologize for the late reply. Things slip by mr sometimes.
4 years ago.
 aNNa schramm
aNNa schramm club
great find !!!!! :-))))
4 years ago.
John FitzGerald club has replied to aNNa schramm club
I hope to be finding more down there, too, aNNa, as the project continues.
4 years ago.

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