Set in Toronto’s vibrant Yonge + St. Clair district, “Tangled Paths” is a striking art installation that embodies the movement, energy, and complexity of urban life. As part of the DesignTO Festival, this piece is one of seven large-scale installations showcased in high-rise office lobbies, offering a moment of reflection within the fast-paced cityscape. Constructed using 90% recycled materials, “Tangled Paths” highlights sustainability in urban evolution while engaging audiences in an immersive visual experience.
DesignTO Festival celebrates creativity through multidisciplinary design experiences, including guided walking tours, thought-provoking exhibitions, and large-scale public art. The installation is hosted by the Yonge + St. Clair BIA and generously sponsored by JLL, reaffirming a commitment to supporting local artists and fostering community engagement through innovative public art.
The concept
“Tangled Paths” encapsulates the chaotic beauty of life in a bustling metropolis like Toronto, where millions of individuals cross paths daily, intertwining their journeys in a dynamic web of human experience. Conceived and led by Nargiza, the installation’s creative vision takes shape through twisting and interwoven color structures that symbolize the unseen yet profound connections between people – moments of collaboration, learning, and growth that define the city’s ever-evolving identity.
How it's made
Scale Model
Before construction, a detailed scale model of "Tangled Paths" was developed to refine its intricate composition. This model provided a blueprint for how the twisting structures would intertwine, ensuring balance and harmony within the final installation. It also allowed for material testing, color exploration, and adjustments to optimize visual impact in its final location.
How it's made
Production & Setup
Bringing "Tangled Paths" to life required a meticulous approach, from material selection to on-site assembly. Such sustainable and repurposed materials as egg packs and cardboard formed the foundation, reinforcing the theme of environmental consciousness. Nargiza and Maxim worked collaboratively to shape, bend, and secure the installation’s twisting elements, ensuring both aesthetic fluidity and structural integrity. The final assembly was an immersive process, integrating the installation seamlessly into the building lobby while maintaining the artistic vision of movement and interconnectedness.
The project statistics
Cardboard sheets
80
Egg cartons
250
Hot glue sticks
800
Wood glue (L)
5
Acrylic paint (L)
6
Plus, 3 steel threaded rods, 16 steel nuts, 8 steel washers
Media
Tangled Paths / DesignTO
This page describes “Tangled Paths”, an art installation by Nargiza Usmanova, featured at the DesignTO Festival from January 24 to February 2, 2025, at 40 St. Clair Avenue West. The page provides details on the installation’s concept, its role within the Yonge + St. Clair district, and its contribution to the festival’s celebration of design and creativity.
Media
DesignTO 2025 at Yonge + St. Clair
The DesignTO 2025 page highlights the festival at Yonge + St. Clair, running from January 24 to February 2, 2025. As a sponsor, the Yonge + St. Clair BIA hosts seven large-scale art installations in high-rise lobbies. The page provides details about each installation, information on guided walking tours, and acknowledges sponsors and collaborators who have contributed to the event’s success.