York University "Diversity" Moose a Reflection of City Life

TORONTO, July 25, 2000 -- York University's Diversity moose will join the City of Toronto herd in a brief ceremony at noon, Friday, July 28 as Vice-President (Advancement) Gary J. Smith unveils the antlered creature at the corner of York Blvd. and Keele Street.

Thomas Beck, a member of the university's Board of Governors, chairman of the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science and past president of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, donated the moose to York. Beck chose an artistic design that reflects the York community as a microcosm of city life.

The York moose is dressed in a coat of many colours by Toronto artist Robert Durocher. A recent graduate of York's Fine Arts program, Durocher says the inspiration for his rainbow, zebra-stripe pattern is not only the visible diversity of Torontonians, but also the many differences within groups that make up the community of interests of an international city like Toronto.

"My moose works well at York, where diversity is a constant theme and a celebrated one," said Durocher, currently an animateur at the Power Plant Art Gallery and a past recipient of two York Fine Arts awards for sculpture.

"The diversity of ideas that shape Toronto flow from many places, including from the research and related professional activities of York scholars," said Smith, noting that many York professors and students play an integral role in the everyday life of the city, contributing to the new economy, popular culture, social policy, and planning and environmental protection.

Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman's Moose in the City tourism campaign is now sold out at 325 moose on guard around the metropolis. The colourful critters will be rounded up for auction in October to raise money for Olympic athletes and local charities.

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For further information, please contact:

Susan Bigelow
Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22091
sbigelow@yorku.ca
YU/077/00