Originally released into the sky by Stuart Semple during London’s 2008 recession, Happy Clouds is composed of smiley-face bubble sculptures, that when released with helium, drift amid public spaces.
This iconic artwork has exhibited outside the Tate Modern in London, as well as in Dublin, Moscow, Australia and Milan. Intended to provide viewers with a brief moment of cheer, Happy Clouds were launched at over a dozen sites across the Denver-metro area from Red Rocks to Denver Public Library Branches. The fleeting, environmentally-friendly Happy Clouds floated outdoors, interrupting daily life to remind us all to be mindful of the present.
Look for Happy Clouds to pop up around the neighbourhood each weekend between July 10-July 25.
Where
Various
When
July 10th, 2021 to July 25th, 2021
Photo by Jack Landau 
Photo by Jack Landau 
Photo by Jack Landau
About the Artist
Stuart Semple (born 1980) is a multidisciplinary artist working across painting, sculpture, happenings, technology, and activism. He is well known for his sociologically engaged works that often discuss youth politics, accessibility, and democracy. He is perhaps best known for his internet performance pieces: The Pinkest Pink and Blackest Black. Recently his focus has been on ‘social works’ such as major public art projects for cities like Denver and Melbourne and 2020’s Artist job Centre in London. He is an ambassador for the mental health charity Mind, founder of CultureHustle.com (a non-profit art materials initiative), and VOMA, the Virtual Online Museum of Art. He has enjoyed several solo exhibitions dedicated to his work over the last 20 years in London, NYC, LA and HK. His Happy Cloud project has been presented at Denver Art Museum, Tate, Hong Kong Art Center and the Whitworth Manchester.
Thank you to our partners:
Plan Your Play Walk
Locations
Installations
- Dream Street by The Street Society
- Walk Walk Dance by Daily tous les jours
- Big Red by Assemble
- Double Dribble by Esmaa Mohamoud
- Nil:Nil by Studio F Minus
- Play Public by Thomas Mailaender & Erik Kessels
- Jax by Pierre Poussin
- Midsummer Mix Vol.1 by Nelson Wu & biosphere
Tiny Games
- Find Jimmy! by Kris Piotrowski
- Before They’re Gone by Droqen
- A Serpent Slumbers by Allison Cole
- Dance Anatomy by Alicia Payne
- The Garrison and the Gardiner by Kaelan Doyle Myerscough
- Secret Landscape by Diana Andrea Guzmán Valencia
Bike Shares
Twelve locations throughout the Play Path and neighbouring spaces
Landmarks
- The Bentway
- Fort York National Historic Site
- Garrison Crossing
- The Bentway Studio & Canoe Landing Community Recreation Centre
- Canoe Landing Park
- Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre
Land Acknowledgement
As an organization dedicated to the creation of shared and inclusive public space, we acknowledge that our work takes place on the treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat, the Haudenosaunee, the Métis, and many other Indigenous nations.
Tkaronto, “the place in the water where the trees are standing”, is now home to many diverse Indigenous people. We recognize them as the past, present and future caretakers of this land. We would like to pay our respects to all who have gathered and will continue to gather in this place. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work together to care for The Bentway lands and act as stewards of the space.
Transportation
By TTC
- 511 Bathurst (at Fort York Blvd)
- 509 Harbourfront (at Fleet St.)
- 121 Fort York-Esplanade at Gzowski Blvd (westbound) or Bastion St (eastbound)
By Bike
Use Bike Share Toronto’s System Map or download PBSC Urban Solutions or Transit app to locate stations and plan your route with real-time bike and station availability. Closest stations to The Bentway: Fort York Blvd/Garrison Rd, Fort York Blvd. (in front of Fort York Visitor Centre), Strachan Ave/Princes’ Blvd, Fort York Blvd/Bathurst St.
Bike racks are also located on-site.
Parking
Paid parking is available at 800 Fleet Street (also accessible from Strachan Avenue, north of Fleet Street) and at the Fort York Visitor Centre (250 Fort York Boulevard).
Washrooms
As of June 11, 2021 our washroom facilities are open from 10am – 7:30pm daily. Face coverings are required. Gender-neutral washroom(s) available.
Free WiFi
Free Wi-Fi is provided by Beanfield. Sign onto Beanfield1hfree and get one free hour of WiFi at The Bentway.