Going, going, almost gone

One of the favourite civic activities in Toronto is ripping down old buildings to replace them with newer, "better" buildings. After all, how could anyone live or work in a building that is older than 100 years? It would be unsafe! It would be expensive! It wouldn't look shiny and new!

I love old buildings and their idiosyncrasies. I suppose I should feel happy that they are renovating the Knitting Mill building instead of tearing it down, but in the process of renovation they are getting rid of the wonderful graffiti that anonymous artists have left over the years. I'm trying to document some of my favourites before they disappear forever.

I suppose you could call this collaborative art since so many people have contributed in their various ways. The man with the hat is carrying the memory of drunken nights, street people, mischievous students and perhaps a rebellious office worker or two into history with him.