All posts filed under: Art

Luminato 2010 – The Ascension of Beauty by Mark Fast

Luminato 2010 – The Ascension of Beauty by Mark Fast

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Mark Fast returned to Canada to be part of the Luminato festival of Arts and Creativity.  He has the honour of presenting in the one of the best installation venues in the city, the Brookfield Place Allen Lambert Galleria.  It was two years ago that myself and some friends were part of the Toronto’s Mille Femmes installation during Luminato. Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity will present a free landmark installation in partnership with Lancôme by London-based Canadian knitwear designer Mark Fast. Commissioned by Lancôme in celebration of their 75th anniversary, The Ascension of Beauty will be presented in Toronto’s Brookfield Place Allen Lambert Galleria throughout the 10-day festival from June 11th to June 20th. Fast welcomes the challenges of such a largescale project, which will see him outfit architecture in rope sculpture and fashion a dress of lycra, viscose and SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. Said Fast, “The knitwear I have created is symbolic of the elegant structure of the rose and I have derived my inspiration from its delicate confidence. Its layers extend off the …

I want – I got goes to the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival – Behind the Lens Tour

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I went on the Heineken Behind the Lens Tour which is a guided tour of Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival exhibits. It was a fun way to see more exhibits at the festival in a group setting. Join us each Saturday afternoon in May for the Heineken Behind the Lens Tour, an exclusive interactive tour of Scotiabank CONTACT. Go behind the scenes with top photographers and other culture mavens as they share curated insights on fascinating photography from an insider’s vantage point. Each tour, located in one of Toronto’s unique neighborhoods, will end at a local watering hole for discussion, snacks and the opportunity to enjoy a cold Heineken. I chose the City Centre tour which took us to the AGO for Barbara Kruger’s Untitled (It), U of Toronto Arts Centre for The Brothel Without Walls and Probing McLuhan, the ROM for Creative Commons and the Boss Store for Glen Baxter. Barbara Kruger’s Untitled (It) At this stop in the tour we had one of the curators talk about various aspects of the installation. This piece …

Rupert Sanderson x Aida

Rupert Sanderson x Aida

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Rupert Sanderson created shoes for the cast of Verdi’s Aida at the Royal Opera in London. I love seeing fashion and costume design converge. It’s such a perfect fit. Rupert Sanderson has designed the shoes for a cast of over 200 working alongside illustrious young costume designer, Moritz Junge. The vision for the production is bold: Egypt is set aside for an unnamed post-apocalyptic tribal landscape where everything is very ‘brought-down’ and distressed. This has given Rupert great scope for designing an edgy, deconstructed collection of shoes. Boots will be worn out – Rupert is literally burying them in his back garden for two months to allow the mud and grit to do its worst. Sandals will be simple, using frayed materials with raw edges and a neutral or earthy colour palette. And against this ragged aesthetic, the bejeweled slippers and platform wedge sandals designed for the princess Amneris stand out like diamonds on a beach of pebbles. On collaborating with The Royal Opera, Rupert Sanderson says: The opportunity to delve into The Royal Opera’s …

Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival – Hermann & Audrey

I want – I got goes to the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival – Hermann & Audrey

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The Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival exhibit by Hermann & Audrey is held in The Baitshop and I’m obsessed with it. There is a huge skateboarding ramp as soon as you walk in. The ceilings are high with exposed beams, ductwork and brick. The Baitshop makes me want to throw a party or an event. The space is just that inviting. The exhibit features photographers Steve Carty, Javier Lovera, Stefania Sgambelluri, Jalani Morgan and Cory Vanderploeg. These photographers will collaboration with artists Skam, Jon Todd, Derooted’s Simon Rojas, Smakstudio’s Scott McIntyre and Kimmy Yun to create 40 pieces challenging Marshall McLuhan’s theory of Hot and Cold media. In Understanding Media, Marshall McLuhan defined photography as a ‘hot’ medium, characterized by single sense stimulation with a high degree of data. According to McLuhan, absorption of the ‘hot’ message requires minimal involvement on the part of the viewer. ‘Cold’ mediums, by contrast, are low in data because little visual information is provided, thus putting the user in a more active role of filling in the gaps. Hermann & …

Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival – Right To Play – Azerbaijan, 2009

I want – I got goes to the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival – Right To Play – Azerbaijan, 2009

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Right To Play – Azerbaijan, 2009 is Glen Baxter’s exhibition for the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. I had no idea that Glen was a photographer. This is his fifth solo show with Scotiabank CONTACT. I just assumed he was always in front of the camera as the host of In Fashion and not behind. Glen traveled solo to Azerbaijan and visited the many settlements which host a million people displaced by war and conflict. Glen is auctioning off all 25 images in the show with 100% of the proceeds going to Right to Play. He has raised over $45,000 with his photography for Right to Play to date. The show is in the 3rd floor event space in the BOSS store on Bloor street. It was my first time in the space and it’s perfect for an art event.  There is lots of wall space and minimal obstructions in the middle of the room to allow for chatting and socializing without distracting those that want to stare at the photos.  I’m looking forward to attending …

Stillness at the Speed of Light - Chris Levine's 3D Portrait of Grace Jones

Stillness at the Speed of Light – Chris Levine’s 3D Portrait of Grace Jones

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I would love to be in London to see these portraits of Grace Jones. Light, sound and Grace Jones: three unremitting forces of nature. Chris Levine, the latest in a line of artists to work with Jones (Andy Warhol and Keith Haring came before him), has brought the elements together in his 3D portrait series Stillness at the Speed of Light. “How was I going to make any evolutionary step forward in a line of some of the extraordinary iconic images of her—I did my best,” Levine confesses. After a two-decade, self-imposed exile from the recording studio, Grace Jones—disco diva, über-model, Bond girl, gay icon and stuff of Studio 54 legend—made a whirlwind return with the tour for her 2008 album, Hurricane. Levine, a ground-breaking light artist whose visceral work with laser beams has led to collaborations with Mario Testino and Hussein Chalayan was commissioned to work on the lighting following an introduction to Jones from master milliner, Philip Treacy. And it was a Swarovski crystal encrusted bowler hat by Treacy (one of his typically …

OZ Studio Boutique

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The OZ Studio Boutique is a gorgeous space in a renovated storefront on Ossington Ave. The 100+ year old space has hardwood floors, exposed brick and 17feet ceilings. Evan and his partner Joseph Fuda stripped the place down to its original elements. There are industrial elements with exposed metal piping and just enough dilapidation to be cool. It was the talk of the launch including some envious retailers in the area. Evan Biddell is insistent that the space is not the Evan Biddell store. It’s part gallery, boutique, event space and photography studio. Evan Biddell has partnered with photographer Joseph Fuda to redefine the boutique experience and created an artist’s showroom unlike anything Toronto has to offer – combining a modern concept fashion gallery and photo studio located on the bustling Ossington strip. The Biddell Spring 2010 collection is the first installation in the Boutique and available for purchase. The entire collection is displayed on dress forms instead of the traditional clothing rack. The Biddell Fall 2009 collection hangs off the stainless steel wall with …

2010 A Space Odyssey a film by Rodarte and Todd Cole

2010 A Space Odyssey a film by Rodarte and Todd Cole

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2010 A Space Odyssey is a film by Rodarte and Todd Cole. It’s pretty beautiful and the clothing looks amazing. I get shivers at 4:26. It’s making me change my mind about the spring 2010 collection. Guinevere van Seenus stars in Aanteni, a high-fashion techno-thriller from CFDA award-winning design sisters Rodarte, shot by their friend and frequent collaborator, the photographer and video artist Todd Cole. Set in the deserted grounds of Paypal founder Elon Musks Space X jet lab in Hawthorne, California, the film was inspired by the pioneering spirit of the space race, which, according to Rodartes Kate and Laura Mulleavy, has defined generations of artists in their desire to use new mediums and question the established rules they were taught to follow. This cinematic collision between rocket science and visual daring is an apt match for Rodartes spring 2010 collection—a symphony of flesh-colored crochet knits, fluorescent fibres, leather bandages and distressed plaid. Costumed in a series of these exquisite creations, Van Seenus blurrily emerges from a shimmering seascape before running through the starkly …

Final Fashion Paper Doll – Rodarte Fall 2010

Final Fashion Paper Doll – Rodarte Fall 2010

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Danielle from Final Fashion is doing paper dolls again. She’s expanded from Toronto and is taking the experience to the international fashion scene. First up is a final fashion paper doll for Rodarte Fall 2010. I didn’t care much for the Rodarte collection but I really did love their white gown finale. Danielle’s rendition is beautiful. Be sure to watch Final Fashion Paper Dolls page to see more updates. I know she’s working on Jeremy Laing. She will be selling prints via the Final Fashion Etsy shop.

i want: Miss Lanvin Dolls Spring 2010

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The new Miss Lanvin Dolls are out. There are a couple for the 120th anniversary too. Figurine wearing Lanvin kissing oversize bottle of perfume Figurine in cake with “Happy 120” anniversary banner, Mother and Daughter figurines with “120” Figurine seated on top of pile of Lanvin shoe boxes and looking down with arms folding around a black Lanvin perfume bottle, Two dancers in red dresses, holding hands, balancing back to back on an oversize Lanvin perfume bottle Since people always ask, if you are looking to buy the dolls, click the links. image: luisaviaroma.com

i got: Fashematical by Fashematics aka Jonathan Zawada

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Fashematical by Fashematics aka Jonathan Zawada Fashematics is the brilliant website by Jonathan Zawada. It a blog that combines math and fashion. I’m so in love with it. Jonathan created an amazing zine recently and I immediately ordered it. This book was published to commemorate the 50th fashematics equation created for Zawada’s fashematics.com blog. Jonathan created this zine of his favourite looks from the Spring/Summer 2010 runway shows, reinterpreting the models as part of either a horde of zombies or an army of robots. It is a flip-flop zine that reads inwards from both covers beginning with either a Zombie Karl Lagerfeld or Android Lagerfeld sticker. Features clothes by Prada, Bernhard Willhelm, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Chanel and more… $16 (AUD) for international shipping. BUY IT HERE! I’m loving the robots more than the zombies but it’s all a lot of fun. images: fashematics.com

Ask a Geek: 1926 Vogue Magazine Cover

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Sometimes readers ask me questions. If they are of value to all my readers I post them online. If you have a question, please feel free to submit it using the contact form. I’ll definitely do my best to answer it. I want – I got reader Martin wrote: Hello, I have been searching Google for the 1926 Vogue magazines and ended up here! Looking for a picture copy (on the web) of the 1926 Vogue Late May [George W Plank]- as listed on ebay.co.uk. If its too much hassle – please ignore. Kind regards, Martin (I guess I must be geeky) Hi Martin, it’s no trouble at all. I tried to email you but it was returned undelivered. The only Vogue May 1926 copy I have is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/geekigirl/1291501242/in/set-72157601797860309/ However, you might want to check around the collections found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gatochy/256837935/

India Diaries – Indian Paintings

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Some of my most prize possessions from India were the paintings I bought at Dilli Haat, a market in the heart of Delhi. This experience of buying artwork was interesting because I got to talk to the artist who was from Udaipur. He sat me and a coworker down in his tent. Most merchants in the market would have chairs for customers to sit down at. We poured over his prolific works of art each one more beautiful then the next. This is my favourite piece. The richness of the blues just sucked me in. This scan can never replicate just how detailed and beautiful his work is. This is the piece that was painted on old government paper. On the reverse side is a some Hindi writing. I have no idea what it says. I got these elephant silk paintings for my brother and mother.

Edward Steichen: In High Fashion, the Condé Nast Years, 1923–1937 at the AGO

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September is going to be amazing for photography and fashion. The AGO is presenting Edward Steichen: In High Fashion, the Condé Nast Years, 1923–1937. It’s complementary show to the ROM’s Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913-2008. On George Baher’s yacht: June Cox wearing unidentified fashion; E. Vogt wearing fashion by Chanel and a hat by Reboux; Lee Miller wearing a dress by Mae and Hattie Green and a scarf by Chanel; Hanna-Lee Sherman wearing unidentified fashion, 1928 Gelatin silver print Courtesy Condé Nast Archive, New York © 1928 Condé Nast Publications From September 26, 2009 to January 3, 2010, the Art Gallery of Ontario will host an exhibition that proves glamour never goes out of style. Edward Steichen: In High Fashion, the Condé Nast Years, 1923 –1937 presents 200 beautifully preserved gelatin silver prints from the Vogue and Vanity Fair Condé Nast Archive and brings them to Canada for the first time. “Black”: Model Margaret Horan in a black dress by Jay-Thorpe, 1935 Gelatin silver print Courtesy Condé Nast Archive, New York © 1935 Condé Nast …

Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913-2008 at The Royal Ontario Museum

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I’m excited that there are two great photography exhibits rolling into town this September. One is the Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913-2008 The Institute for Contemporary Culture (ICC) at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) presents Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913-2008 from September 26, 2009 to January 3, 2010. The exhibition, which garnered record-breaking attendance in its recent European engagements, showcases 150 portraits, including classic images from Vanity Fair’s early period and photographs featured in the magazine since its 1983 relaunch. A collaboration between Vanity Fair and the National Portrait Gallery, London, the exhibition is curated by Terence Pepper, Curator of Photographs at the National Portrait Gallery, and David Friend, Vanity Fair’s Editor of Creative Development. The ROM will be the only Canadian venue to display Vanity Fair Portraits, and this will be its first showing in eastern North America. Throughout its 95-year history, Vanity Fair magazine has helped define the public persona of some of the most influential individuals in the world. The exhibition brings together a collection of captivating images of cultural icons from …

The Peek in Photos

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I stopped by The Peek art show on the weekend. This was the 2nd year for this show put on by Chris of Mindazi and Gloria of Urbanbloc. Thanks to The Peek’s organizers Chris and Gloria. The Peek featured the following artists: JAY SKAM – www.skam.net THE EATONS – www.theeatons.ca CHARLENE CHUA – www.charlenechua.com JUSTIN WU – www.jwuphoto.com CREATIVE REFLEX – www.creativereflex.ca DARRYL GRAHAM – www.darrylgraham.com – he created the Marvel 360 poster i got SAMANTHA DARCY – www.samanthadarcy.com CHRIS BRETT – www.chrisbrett.ca

Sophie DeFrancesca in Phantasmagoria

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Phantasmagoria is an exhibit featuring work by Sophie DeFrancesca. It will be featured at the Lausberg Contemporary Gallery from June 11 – July 19, 2009. Inspired by the icon dresses of the twentieth century Sophie De Francesca’s figurative sculptures are crafted in such a way that implies the production of ornament and fabric at the same time. Sheathes of galvanized wire mesh are transformed into ethereal confections that transcend the hard, commonplace materials they are made from. A provocative evocation of the female subject, De Franscesca’s work locates a maternal and sexual female identity by probing the conventional understanding of gender and sexuality. I was able to see a preview of some of Sophie’s work at the Brose Fall Winter 2009 – 2010 preview. Her work is just phenomenal. Phantasmagoria – June 11 – July 19, 2009 Lausberg Contemporary Gallery 880 Queen Street West Toronto 416 516 44 40 toronto@galerie-lausberg.com

L’Oréal Paris Offers Complimentary Summer Beauty Makeovers for Luminato, June 5 – 7

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L’Oréal Paris Offers 1,000s of Complimentary Summer Beauty Makeovers to Torontonians for Luminato, June 5 – 7 To help Torontonians go to Luminato in style with the latest summer beauty trends, L’Oréal Paris is offering complimentary makeup and hair makeovers from some of Canada’s top makeup and hair artists. Participants will also get the opportunity to ‘walk the red carpet’ at the Beauty Tent where a photographer will capture their final beauty look as a special memento. Special guest appearances at the Beauty Tent by L’Oréal Paris’ Official Makeup Artist, Eddie Maleterre and Official Hair Artist and Colourist, Eric Del Monaco – the same beauty masterminds who created all of the runway beauty looks for LG Fashion Week, Beauty by L’Oréal Paris in Toronto and appeared on the hit TV show, Project Runway Canada. Eddie and Eric will direct the team of 20 makeup and hair artists for three-days at this amazing beauty hub, as they apply 1,000s of beauty makeovers on Torontonians using L’Oréal Paris ‘star’ products of the summer. The following special guest …

Freestyle Photoshoot with Tanja-Tiziana and Friends

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Friend and great Photographer, Tanja-Tiziana occassionaly holds these events she called Freestyle Photoshoots. A a huge no-rules photo shoot where everyone gets in front of the camera(s). Make it what you will. Be prepared to meet new people and even be photographed with them at some point. The latest one took place in Christie Pits. I came with Shalome and Ryan aka The Grumpy Owl. I had my Chocolate Bossa Dress on because I didn’t have many pictures of it. I busted out the parasol because it would look cool. This is some of the results of the shoot. It was a lot of fun and I have to thank Tanja-Tiziana, Nancy Paiva and Justin Soegandi for so many great photos. See the rest of Tanja’s photos from the shoot. See the rest of Justin’s photos from the shoot

i want: A Charger from the Dots Collection by Mary Anne Davis

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On the weekend I visited the Dots exhibition by the ceramic artist Mary Anne Davis at Tinku Gallery. The exhibition runs from April 3rd – 30th, 2009. NY-based Mary Anne Davis is an accomplished ceramic artist whose work has shown in museums and galleries across the U.S. Her ceramic art has appeared in publications including Oprah Magazine, the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, Elle Decor, and Metropolitan Home. You can download the exhibition catalogue for more information about Mary Anne. The gallery is run by a friend of mine from Twitter, Amrita. She also has a gallery blog called Tinkutales. I’ve seen a few exhibitions at her gallery and I enjoy her taste very much.

geekiviews: High Voltage Tattoo

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I don’t know what went through my head when I agreed to review the new Kat Von D book High Voltage Tattoo. I don’t really know much about her besides the fact that she was on reality tv and is a tattoo artist. I didn’t watch her shows, they aren’t my thing. Typical rock/stripper chick is what I labelled her prior to reading this book. I’ve discovered that she’s a talented artist. I’ve discovered that I kinda like her. The book features a short bio, history of her career in the tattoo world, a tattoo map of her body and representative examples of the genre using examples of her work on her clients and friends. Some of my favourite things in the book are: The presentation of the book. It fits in perfectly with her style down to the font. Her tattoo map is pretty detailed and impressive it hard for me to imagine getting one tattoo let alone the number of ones Kat has to warrent such an in depth analysis. She sets the …