The army is complete. On Sunday October 27th the final concrete was poured, completing the last of the Lovebot soldiers, a significant step forward in the completion of the Love Invasion.
After an intensive day, the Lovebot team led by artist Mathew Del Degan poured the last of the 30,000 pounds of concrete used to finalize approximately 130 Lovebot's set for distribution around Toronto.
“I've been sailing a ship of big-hearted friends through uncharted waters for a long time and it's been a wild and rocky ride. Lots of fun, but just wild.” said Del Degan
With the army officially intact the team will now set out to find each a home, the only requirement being that each robot honours an act of kindness, standing guard as a monument to an individual or group that has made Toronto a kinder, more loving city.
The team will also be focusing on documenting every Lovebot's story. All stories will eventually be posted on the LOVEBOTS page at
lovebot.com where their exact location can be pinpointed on a map of Toronto.
The Lovebot project started four years ago when Mathew created the initial toy design. With the goal of “making kinder cities” his five-inch toys grew to become the first concrete statues, the beginning of what would go on to become the Lovebot Army. While currently the project has its target set on illuminating love in Toronto, Del Degan has plans for the Lovebot design to one day symbolize a global movement, one that aims to share acts of kindness around the world.
“We have affected many peoples lives, one by one or in small groups. This is the meaning of the project. 'To change someones life in a positive way' is what I consider true value. I know that our team understands this and focuses on individual relationships. It's these honest and intimate interactions of love and kindness that we stand for. This project has been lovingly disruptive.” added Del Degan.
The newest placements of Lovebots include the concrete soldiers now on guard at Central Neighbourhood House on Ontario Street as well as St. Patrick’s Church on McCaul.
At Central Neighbourhood House, Lovebot #38 stands proudly in the front garden to honour the over 100 years of community service the centre has provided for the citizens of Toronto.
At St. Patrick's Lovebot #85 enshrined with a guardian angel perched carefully on it's shoulder is a testament to Lucio Abbruzzese, and his relentless quest to provide food, clothing and kindness to Toronto's less fortunate in the roughest of the city's neighbourhoods.
