Destination Toronto and Atlas Obscura Unveil Moving Monuments, A Robotic Sound Sculpture Celebrating Toronto's Cultural Pulse

TORONTO, July 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Destination Toronto and Atlas Obscura have revealed details behind Moving Monuments, a musically captivating robotic percussion tower by two of Toronto's most boundary-pushing creatives: JUNO Award-winning artist and host of Netflix's Hip-Hop Evolution, Shadrach Kabango, artistically known as Shad; and roboticist-composer Danny Shaddick, creator of the acclaimed Robot Orchestra.  

One year in the making, this unique collaboration brings together unexpected local collaborators from different creative communities and cultures to create something that embodies Toronto's unique creative spirit. A short documentary video, shared across social media and Atlas Obscura's affluent and highly engaged network, captures the creative process of the creators and their exploration of the city.

At approximately 10 feet tall, the robotic installation features a vertical tower of drums, each amplified and activated by individual robotic striking mechanisms. These mechanical arms strike with precision and emotion, laying down an evolving beat that serves as the heartbeat of the piece. Built with sustainability at its core, the piece incorporates repurposed percussive instruments and salvaged materials provided by the Toronto Transit Commission, along with a disassemblable design for potential future reuse, extending the lifespan of every component. The piece also incorporates samples of field recordings Shaddick captured from diverse environments across Toronto, further infusing the soundscape of the city into the composition.

"Moving Monuments is a unique musical collaboration inspired by a unique take on a unique city," says Shad. "The city is, of course, Toronto — the world's most diverse — and that diversity is constantly visible in the iconic festivals and cultural celebrations throughout the city. Finally, the collaboration itself is also something different: between a rapper and a robot."

"This is a new type of performance," says Shaddick. "I've been following a few other artists around the world who work with motorized / automated sound pieces, but none have combined with the energy and character of rap-based vocals like Shad will be bringing to the project." 

A one-day-only free event will take place at Gansevoort Plaza at the High Line in New York City on September 6, 2025, serving as a showcase for the piece and a celebration of Toronto's creative identity. New York audiences will be the first to see this one-of-a-kind sculpture and at scheduled times, experience live performances by Shad himself.  

"Toronto thrives at the intersection of culture, creativity and innovation. It's a city where different perspectives converge to spark bold, original experiences," said Paula Port, Vice President, Global Marketing at Destination Toronto. "Moving Monuments, created in partnership with Atlas Obscura, invites New Yorkers to step into that energy and experience what makes Toronto truly one of a kind."

For more information about this collaboration, visit Atlas Obscura. 

About Destination Toronto
Toronto's visitor economy is a vital economic engine for the city, generating nearly $9 billion in visitor spending in 2024. Destination Toronto's purpose is to ignite the city's visitor economy to enrich and empower its communities. Operating in partnership with the City of Toronto and the tourism and hospitality community, Destination Toronto promotes the city to attract visitors and major meetings and events, and supports local businesses in maximizing the opportunities of the visitor economy. For more information, please visit DestinationToronto.com.

About Atlas Obscura
Atlas Obscura is an award-winning media and travel brand that shares the world's hidden wonders in-person and online. Founded in 2009, Atlas Obscura created the definitive, community-driven guide to the world's most incredible places. Atlas Obscura has a global community of millions of explorers, produces once-in-a-lifetime trips and experiences with leading experts, and has published three consecutive New York Times bestselling books with more than two million copies in print. For more information, visit AtlasObscura.com.

SOURCE Atlas Obscura; Destination Toronto