A series of clotheslines are strung with 5,000 pairs of socks, creating a canopy overhead. The mass of socks reflect the number of people without adequate housing in Toronto. The series of clotheslines clustered together creates a sheltering effect for participants; the socks bring attention to the needs and living conditions of Toronto’s homeless population. Socks hung during the event will be collected and distributed to shelters throughout the city, supplying men, women and children with much needed warm items for the winter season.

This installation intends to raise awareness and dialogue amongst its audience as viewers recognize, through a visual experience, what the number 5,000 really looks like. The sheer quantity of socks emphasizes how many people in our city are without a safe home.