Sundial Folly

This steel-and-concrete public art installation may not convey the time of day, but it still captivates visitors with its striking form. Erected in Toronto’s Harbour Square Park West in 1995, Sundial Folly is the brainchild of artists John Fung and Paul Figueiredo, about whom little is known. The sphere, bisected down its longitudinal axis, sits in a pool of water that flows into a small artificial waterfall cascading into Lake Ontario. 

As you approach it from the rear, you’ll notice a walkway that leads into the heart of the sphere, allowing visitors to enter Sundial Folly and take pictures. The interior affords a slight echo from the lapping water and ambient park sounds as well as a changing ambience throughout the day depending on the sun’s location. During special art events like Nuit Blanche, the sphere has served as a tapestry with lights and films projected onto its exterior. 

The building is open to the public 24/7—but if you’re on a schedule, be sure to bring your own watch.