Muzik nightclub fences in public art

Near the shore of Lake Ontario lies a mystery. Twenty massive limestone sculptures vanished from public view without a city noticing.

The sculptures, which weigh as much as six tonnes, havent moved in decades but now a fence enclosing a three-acre patio at the exclusive Muzik nightclub, which has hosted the likes of Justin Bieber and Mayor Rob Ford, blocks them from view.

Its outrageous. My dad would be turning over in his grave, said Kathy Sutton, daughter of the late Toronto artist, E.B. Cox, who created the sculptures. Initially, 17 sculptures were trapped, but after the nightclubs patio expanded last year all became fenced in.

But just how the fence went up around them is not clear. City staff in charge of public art say they were never consulted. There are no applications for a patio at Muzik on file with Municipal Licensing and Standards, which would have triggered a public process.

Now family and friends of the artist have taken notice. E.B. Cox envisioned his pieces, known as the Garden of the Greek Gods, to be a source of joy for children, not clubgoers and celebrities, they say.

He loved the fact that kids could climb on his art because its pretty much indestructible. Hed never like the idea of someone using it for an ashtray, Sutton said.

Its scandalous that a nightclub can just put its arms around these public works of art.

What the family wants is simple, said her sister Sally Fogel: The gods in a proper garden, not a beer garden.

Coxs work can be found across the GTA, including outside Victoria College, the Park Hyatt Hotel, McMaster University and a school in Milton.

Before his death in 2003, Cox hung around with author Farley Mowat and members of the Group of Seven, even carving the epitaphs for their granite tombstones. His own memorial service was held at the foot of Hercules. It now stands three metres tall amid patio tables.

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Muzik nightclub fences in public art