June 5, 2014
The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
231 Queens Quay West
This year the annual fundraiser’s theme was Old New World celebrating the transition to digital technology from the analogue world. This included works by local and international artists as well as reflections of the theme in fashion and food. This year the weather co-operated and many guests hung outside enjoying the warm summer breeze from the lake. It also made the inside a little more easy to navigate. As you entered in the entrance you were faced with a large display of candy treats.
British artist, Naomi Kashiwagi produced some clever sounds from her performance, Gramophinca using a live performance glitching 78rpm records on a gramophone. The appearance of Kashiwagi made you think of trying to mix and scratch records before the modern turntable came along.
Artist Naomi Kashiwagi
Outside people were munching away on hotdogs and drinking cocktails. The crowd was a mix as usual of the fashion crowd such as Glen Baxter from Fashion Television, the financial world and many of course from the art world. Philip Monk, director and curator from the Art Gallery of York University with the assistant director and curator Emelie Chhangur were mingling in the art crowd. Clint Roenisch of the Clint Roenisch Gallery on Queen West was there as well. His gallery is on the move to 190 St Helens St. near the Daniel Faria Gallery and Scrap Metal Gallery, the first show in the new space slated to open in the summer. Also spotted at the Ball were director and co owner of the Neubacher Shor Gallery in Parkdale, Manny Neubacher and his partner Anya Shor co-director and co-owner of the gallery.
Glen Baxter & Friend
Gallery owner Stephen Bulger was chatting with marketing director of Porter airlines, Michael Macaulay before both headed over to sample the food out doors. Peter Kingstone from the Toronto Arts Council was also there making his way through the festive crowd. Inside artist Lori Ann talked to me about her upcoming exhibition and Kelly McCray updated me on the happenings of Art Barrage which he co-founded. He told me that they are doing consultations with artists and buyers of art.
Artist Lori Anne and curator Kelly McCray
In another Gallery space BYOB ( Bring Your Own Beamer ) was a series of mobile projections. The walls were covered in different images and text projected like a look into the future. The series of exhibitions was started by Rafael Rozendaal and has travelled internationally. Toronto artist Asmna Muzaffar organized this portion of the BYOB display.
BYOB Projections
A traditional installation
Other participating artists included Montrealer Jon Rafman and his humorous take on technology. VJ Oli Sorenson, another Montrealer originally from L.A., is a multimedia and performance artist who uses sampling and sharing. Also on view wre works by New York based Toronto artist Christine Davis. Her work examines the present through the past.
New technology: creating images through using a blow torch
Some people were just arriving as I left and the tunes were getting to the over 1500 guests ready to party some more. Another successful evening for one of the best parties and fundraisers in town.
Text and photo: Phil Anderson