“Wa-Wa” by Uufie is a reflective walk in the park

Walk through the Sir Daniel Wilson Quad of the University of Toronto, St. George campus and you'll stumble upon dozens of giant convex mirrors that look like giant water droplets scattered on the green grass. The site-specific installation is called “Wa-Wa” by Toronto-based architecture studio UUfie, who wanted to playfully challenge the rigid constraints of the Quad.

The installation gets its name from the Japanese word “Wa”, which describes a philosophy of harmony. Arranged within a 40-meter diameter ring, the installation features more than 130 mirrors of different sizes that show warped reflections of the surrounding site.

In designing the piece, Uufie intended to transform the quad into a more inclusive public space that remains harmonious with nature — and to let anyone passing by enjoy a few moments of simple spontaneity.

Wa-Wa is part of the “Making Model” exhibition at the Art Museum and will be displayed at the Sir Daniel Wilson Quad until November 25.