About
Presented by The Bentway, Paul Ramírez Jonas’ Public Trust asks participants to consider the value of their word. This fall, the public art installation will travel across the city, inviting people to make a pledge that reflects their own beliefs. Each promise will be presented on a giant public billboard, alongside promises drawn from the daily news. Ramírez Jonas hopes the work will prompt us to consider where trust stands today — in our institutions, our leaders, our communities and ourselves.
By framing democracy and public trust as everyday practices shaped through attention, dialogue and accountability, the work transforms civic engagement into something personal, accessible and joyful. These small encounters — often unexpected, often delightful — build understanding and help us imagine how we can shape our communities and city at scale. This is where trust begins.
Making its Canadian debut in Toronto, a decade after its premiere, Public Trust feels as timely and relevant as ever. As the city approaches its municipal election, the work asks us to think about what it means to participate in civic life, and about the promise at the heart of democracy itself: that we are not simply inhabitants of a city, but people who have a role in shaping its future.
Public Trust is presented in partnership with the Waterfront BIA, and in collaboration with the Toronto Public Library and Harbourfront Centre.
Additional project support provided by the Government of Ontario and Toronto Foundation.
What To Expect
- A touring interactive public artwork consisting of a large-scale marquee and two eight-foot tables with seating, staffed by local performers. You are invited to participate by making a promise to one of the performers. That promise is then recorded in a drawing you can keep and also shared anonymously on the large-scale marquee. You can also view the marquee without making a promise.
- This is a non-partisan and welcoming space.
- Please follow @harbourfrontcentre on social media for weather-related updates on the day of each performance.
- This is a free outdoor, participatory artwork that is fully accessible. We recommend dressing according to the weather.
- This artwork is highly visual with written and spoken text in English.
About Paul Ramírez Jonas
About The Bentway
Days & Times
Tickets
No tickets required
Venue
235 Queens Quay West
Toronto, ON
In Partnership with
