“Colorise” is a temporary art installation created by NUMZ Graphics for Erin Mills Town Centre, with Nargiza Usmanova as the creative director. Conceived as a visual centerpiece for the mall’s central fountain, the work consists of twelve transparent plexiglass posts in varying heights, colors, and proportions. Together, they form a rhythmic sculptural composition that feels both playful and architectural. Individually distinct yet visually connected, the posts rise from the water as a vibrant cluster, inviting viewers to slow down, observe, and experience how light, color, and space interact in real time.
The concept
At its core, “Colorise” explores diversity, individuality, and connection. Each acrylic post represents a unique presence – different in size and color – while the collective arrangement speaks to harmony through variation. The transparent surfaces capture daylight from the glass dome above and scatter it across the fountain, producing layered reflections that shift throughout the day. This interplay of light and water becomes a metaphor for human interaction: how each person carries their own color, yet contributes to a larger shared environment.
How it's made
Production & Setup
The installation was completed during a public holiday, allowing the team to work in a quiet, empty mall. Preparation began off-site with custom concrete bases, carefully painted and drilled to support each acrylic post. The most technically demanding stage was assembling the posts themselves – carefully bonding pre-cut plexiglass panels to achieve durable, clean edges without visible glue marks. On site, the elements were placed and aligned inside the shallow fountain using protective footwear. Each post was thoughtfully positioned to preserve balance and flow, resulting in a refined presentation that naturally complements the surrounding architecture.
The project statistics
Plexiglass sheets, 8x4 ft
8
Concrete slabs
24
Bolts + nuts
48
Washers
96
Plus, color transparent/transluscent film and acrylic cement
Another Perspective
Colorise in a New Frame
After its initial presentation in the fountain, “Colorise” was thoughtfully disassembled and relocated within the same mall to become part of a temporary storefront activation. Reinstalled at the front of a vacant retail space and viewed through glass, the piece took on a new character – shifting from an immersive, water-based experience to a gallery-like display. This second life offered a different way to engage with the work, emphasizing its sculptural qualities and allowing passersby to encounter the installation from a more contemplative distance, while preserving its message of color, connection, and presence.
