The Artist Project
February 21 – 24, 2013
Better Living Centre
Exhibition Place, 195 Prince Boulevard ON
Opening Night Preview
I walked along Dufferin Street under the Princess Gate with excited anticipation to see the Artist Project in their new space in the Better Living Centre. A few couples walked ahead of me and I thought we had the same destination but they headed to Medieval Times.
Everything seemed very well organized as I headed to the Media Centre to sign in. I met up with artoronto.ca’s intern photographer, Alice Tallman and we headed of to check out the artists booths and get a taste of what this years Project (TAP) had to offer.
Rafa Macarron, Madrid, Spain
The first artist I met was Rafa Macarron an international artist from Madrid, Spain. I talked to his brother as Rafa‘s English was very limited. The work was very colourful contemporary pieces, paintings with some boxes framing some smaller works. Macarron was excited about being part of the Project. I hadn’t realized there were international artists as well as local artists and this seemed like a good choice to compliment the Project.
Jason Cantoro, Montreal, Quebec
I chatted with silkscreen artist, Jason Cantoro who is based in Montreal and had several city scapes of Montreal silk screened. Cantoro has done several book covers as well and proudly showed us one of local Toronto author, Ray Robertson. Cantoro was excited about being in the Art Project.
Jean-Philippe Roy, Quecbec City
I talked to another Quebec artist Jean Philippe Roy, from Quebec City, who had several metal sculptures. He revealed his father was an engineer and this had likely impacted his work.
Janet Kimber, Toronto (Sony Full Frame artist)
Photographer, Janet Kimber was a photo based artist who was part of the Sony Full Frame competition. Ten photographers were given their choice of working with either the Sony 99DSLR or a compact sony RXI. Both are high resolution cameras, that are new on the market. For Kimber’s work, Neo Petro Glyphs, she travelled to India to the high ground of Kumbhalgarh Fort where she viewed the ancient etchings in the stone walls. As her statement reads, ” some think of these etchings as a memorial to those who cannot themselves construct monuments.” The outside of the booth had works depicting the Fort while the inside showed details of the etchings.
Sarah Beattie, Untapped Emerging Artist Competition
Jane Duncan, Unpapped Emerging Artist Competition
I visited several artists in the Untapped Emerging Artist Competition, Sarah Beattie with her series of portraits, Jane Duncan with her Trophy series of paintings and Ivan Alifan. These and other emerging artist got to display their work for free. A winner from the juried competition will get a free both next year. All had to apply and could not have been with a professional gallery.
TIAF Director, Linel Rebenchuk (left) & artists
Wing Yee Tong, Installation Zone
There were several installations and sculptures which were a good addition to the project but I thought it could have used more and perhaps placed them throughout the project space rather then have them all together in a cluster. The Toronto International Art Fair (TIAF) uses their installations and sculptures throughout the fair and it seems to work more effectively. TIAF Director was there visiting the project and chatting with several artists.
Le Gallery Director Wil Kucey, artist Janice Colbert and her husband
Gertrude Kearns, Toronto Artist
I was surprised I didn’t see more gallery directors out scoping the fair. I met Le Gallery Director, Wil Kucey, talking with artist Janice Colbert and her husband. It was getting busy and the crowd was getting thick so perhaps I just missed them. I saw Art Sync Tv out covering the opening reception. Peter Goddard had also written a feature article on February 21th for the Toronto Star that featured artist, Gertrude Kearns and her Military series of Canadian senior Force Leaders in Afghanistan, a powerful series of portraits and rather sobering at this festive opening. Kearns was seeking a venue for the works to get seen and the Art Project was probably a good choice. Kearns had already sold one piece earlier in the week.
Maureen Paxton, Toronto Artist
I chatted with artist Maureen Paxton. She ventured into a new series of portraits that had her subject wear different hats. The subjects all took the task very seriously as the portraits revealed. This was the first time for Paxton at TAP. Not a first time for Tel Aviv artist, Nissem Ben Aderet who had nothing but good things to say about TAP and Toronto. He found Toronto very receptive to his work.
Darren Jones, Chicago, IL artist
Chicago artists, Darren Jones and Armando Pedroso were excited about TAP and were looking forward to seeing some sales. Artist Kelly Grace from Toronto was busy wrapping sold art works as I visited her booth. The small affordable works were popular and kept her busy with sales.
Live painting, Artist Project
The FACES Competition asked that artists address the theme of Faces in their own unique way. It seemed to have worked successfully with a wall of portrait works mounted on a north wall. Off in a corner an artist worked away at a graffiti mural with a live demonstration.
At the Sony Full Frame booth the new Sony models were on display. Canadian Art Magazine also had a booth. Throughout the weekend there are a series of Art Chats with different speakers each time. Part of the proceeds of the opening night ticket also go to the Canadian Art Foundation.
Artist Project Director, Claire Taylor
TAP director, Claire Taylor was kept busy making sure things ran smoothly. The biggest change she said was the move to the new venue, The Better Living Centre. I think the move was smart and I found it more spacious and well suited to TAP. The Video Booth was back and everything else was pretty much the same, Taylor explained. This was her third year as TAP director and keeping over 250 artists happy is not an easy task but everyone I talked to were pleased the way things were going with the opening night reception.
There was definitely a party mood at the reception with DJ ‘s, line ups for drinks and appetizers. One young woman came up to me and asked if I had a TAP map/guide and I asked her if she was looking for a particular artist. She confessed she was actually looking for a particular vodka bar. No shame, she could have been an artist herself. TAP seemed to agree with its new location and I left walking through the old fair grounds.
Text and photo: Phil Anderson