June 4, 2015 / 7 p.m.
The Power Plant
231 Queens Quay
It was a good night for excess. The weather was perfect. There was good food and drink and a lot of people ready to have a good time. This annual fundraiser was partnered this year with luxury brand, Max Mara which, given the theme, seemed appropriate. There was an abundance of art installations and works to explore by Toronto collective 8-11, Montreal based artist Karen Kraven, neon artist Orest Tataryn and Swintak among others. Installation of the art works began as early as 7 p.m. and I am sure it must be chaotic as organizers rushed to prepare for the throngs of visitors. When I arrived just after nine the party was quiet but all that changed in the next hour.
Neon Artist, Orest Tataryn and friend
Oversized garment from artist Karen Kraven
Party with video installation from Max Mara
I missed the Food Performance, So Sorry, by New York artist Jennifer Rubell at 7 p.m. Some of the visitors who saw it seemed not too impressed with the performance, so maybe I didn’t miss much. There was an abundance of great food outside to excess with. Parts and Labour, a Parkdale favourite dinner/music club offered smoked duck, which was a particular favorite. The fire smoking the duck got going around noon that day. Plenty of cocktails and a soft breeze off the lake made it a perfect setting.
Parts and Labour’s smoked ducks
Some guests immersed themselves in the play bins filled with colour balls, lined up for Flare photos and explored the art around them. There was a large limo that people could climb into and occasionally one could hear the blast of the car horn as someone climbed into the front seat. In the hall of mirrors visitors could see themselves distorted in a variety of poses. It was a night for selfies. Many guests also took the opportunity to dress to excess or wear some playful creations. Others went glam with their dresses and tuxes. It created an interesting mix.
The Hall of Mirrors
Guests enjoying the play bins filled with colored balls
There was a small disco room with mirrored disco balls in the centre and tunes blaring in the darkness. Some commented that it had a night club feel to it. It was, indeed, an evening of escape and excess.
Disco room with disco balls and blaring music, installation by Swintak
Guests came from the corporate world, the fashion crowd, the arts community, just to mention a few. I chatted with fashion photographer George Whiteside and gallery owner Barbara Edwards, who was talking about her latest project. Also spotted The Drake’s owner Jeff Stober, Toronto Arts Council Officer and artist Peter Kingston, artist Dean Baldwin, gallery co-owners Manny Neubacher and Anya Shor, celebrity writer Shinan Govani, artist Orest Tataryn, artist Shawn Skeir and style and fashion editor Shar Nooraei and many more.
Fashion photographer George Whiteside (centre) and gallery owner Barbara Edwards (right) with a friend
Celebrity writer, Shinan Govani, with a friend
Artist Luis Jacob (left) and friends
Artist, Shawn Skeir (right) and friend
The organizers created a good party and no doubt another success fundraiser for the Power Plant to continue its good work bringing contemporary art to the public.
Dance Floor with DJ
Text and photo: Phil Anderson