{"id":36224,"date":"2016-10-30T12:31:14","date_gmt":"2016-10-30T16:31:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.artoronto.ca\/?p=36224"},"modified":"2016-11-16T19:33:38","modified_gmt":"2016-11-17T00:33:38","slug":"art-toronto-2016-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/v2.artoronto.ca\/?p=36224","title":{"rendered":"Art Toronto 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

Art Toronto 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the last day of the Art Fair crowds have dwindled, gallerists were mostly exhausted and took tally of the event. Gisella Giacalone, owner and director of Mira Godard Gallery felt very encouraged to so see many new collectors coming to her booth. Sales had been good for her this year.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Mira Godard Gallery’s booth<\/p>\n

There were individual artist booths this year, a new addition to the Fair. Artist, Angela Leach from the Heringer Kiss Gallery of Calgary was enjoying the Fair.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Angela Leach from the Heringer Kiss Gallery of Calgary<\/p>\n

I talked with Yael Rosenblut of the Yael Rosenblut Gallery in Santiago, Peru. She was a little discouraged that sales had been slow. In fact, she said, that most of the galleries in the FOCUS: LATIN AMERICA section \u2013 some 16 galleries \u2013were also disappointed in their sales, that had been small. She said her gallery would return but she will reconsider what kinds of work they would bring. Shipping work from Peru is expensive and you \u00a0need the sales to cover your costs and make it worthwhile. The buyers were a little conservative about buying works from artists they were not familiar with. In New York, she said, buyers would not hesitate.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Yael Rosenblut\u00a0 of the Yael Rosenblut Gallery in Santiago, Peru<\/p>\n

Art Toronto Director, Susannah Rosenstock, said that the Fair is an expensive event to run with its 180,000 sq. ft. Her major challenge is to get collectors to the Fair as well as cultivate new collectors to buy. Rosenstock, a former New Yorker, still has been acclimatizing herself to Toronto.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This year marked the absence of the Feature Fair which branded itself as a more curated alternative fair. Some of the galleries who cultivated it through the previous years, like Clint Roenisch, returned to Art Toronto this year.<\/p>\n

Besides the solo shows of selected artists, there were another new additions to the Fair this year. Edition, the first international art book fair on the ground floor seemed to be bustling with activity while The West-end Gallery \u00a0Hop – with 11 galleries on Friday, October 28th – gave a chance to visitors to walk around and get familiar with some of the best galleries in the city.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

There were indeed many great works to see at the fair and no doubt galleries both local and international did well enough to return. Perhaps like TIFF, Art Toronto needs to look at having ongoing events to cultivate the collectors and not just wait till its 4 days in October of each year.<\/p>\n

Text and photo: Phil Anderson<\/p>\n

The Inclusivity of Art Toronto 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This year\u2019s edition of Art Toronto broadened the fair\u2019s scope by offering more than just works for sale. Showcasing work from commercial galleries as well as the 2016 RBC Painting Competition finalists, solo galleries, Camp Ooch paddles and the Edition Toronto International Book Fair, Art Toronto 2016 meant that you didn\u2019t need to bring your chequebook to have a good time. This year’s fair managed to successfully integrate the often-disparate factions of the art world for a unique overview of creative expression.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Robert Longo,\u00a0<\/span>Untitled (Tiger) \u2013 The Mysteries,\u00a0<\/em>Archival Pigment Print, 2012. Edition of 25 + Printer Proofs. 115 x 85 cm. Available at Galerie Raphael<\/span><\/p>\n

Located next to Galerie Raphael, which showcased an immense Robert Longo\u00a0Untitled (Tiger)\u00a0<\/em>on its outer walls, the finalists of the RBC Painting Competition had an opportunity to exhibit amidst local and international art world giants. Assessing emerging Canadian painters according to various aesthetic, technical and conceptual criteria since 1999, the RBC Painting Competition supports artists at the earliest stage of their careers. This year\u2019s $25,000 winner was Brian Hunter, a Winnipeg artist whose work was chosen due to its effortless mediation between abstraction and representation. In this booth, Hunter\u2019s work was exhibited alongside the other finalists: Nika Fontaine, Cameron Forbes, Angela Teng, Alex Fischer, Stephanie Hier, Hanna Hur, Brian Kokoska, Andrew Maize, Justine Skahan, M.E. Sparks, Geetha Thurairajah, Amerba Wellmann, and my personal favourite, Keita Morimoto.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>RBC Painting Competition Booth at Art Toronto<\/p>\n

Keita Morimoto was lucky enough to be represented by the RBC Painting Competition as well as by his Toronto-based gallery, Nicholas Metivier. As I came full circle around the perimeter of the fair, I gravitated towards a luminescent green and yellow painting whose execution, aesthetic and subject matter mesmerized me.\u00a0Greenwood\u00a0<\/em>by Morimoto is a photorealistic portrait of two women bathed in yellow light. With little written context, the juxtaposition between the woman on the right, dressed in a floral printed dress, and the woman on the left, dressed in shorts and a sleeveless button up shirt, created a striking narrative about femininity and gendered attire. Whether or not this was the artist\u2019s intention, this work was a standout for me at this years fair.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Keita Morimoto,\u00a0Greenwood,\u00a0<\/em>Acrylic and Oil on Linen, 2016. 60 x 48 in. Available at Nicholas Metivier Gallery<\/p>\n

A standout artwork or presentation for fairgoers will depend entirely on their aesthetic tastes. According to my criterion, which necessitates excellent technique<\/strong>, a communicable concept<\/strong>, and an overall aesthetic<\/strong> harmony to be successful, there were few works that made the cut. This, alongside the fact that a highly saturated visual environment can make a visitor fastidious in their assessments, may explain why so few works stood out. One of the sections that failed in this respect was Focus: Latin America<\/em>. With the same focus as the previous year, showcasing sixteen galleries from Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Madrid, among many others, the works on display failed to make a lasting impression. With the presumption that art fairs are supposed to showcase works that push the boundaries of artistic production in either concept, technique or aesthetic, only Hector Falcon, an artist with Galeria Enrique Guerrero, was able to hit the mark for me.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Hector Falcon,\u00a0Extracci\u00f3n Modular Constructiva “B”<\/em>, 2016. Available at Galeria Enrique Guerrero<\/p>\n

The exhibitions presented by Solo galleries were truly exceptional, and where I spent most of my time. One of the most poignant presentations was Ruth Cuthand\u2019s work with DC3 Projects in Edmonton. Exploring contamination and community, Cuthand presented Don\u2019t Breathe, Don\u2019t Drink, <\/em>a mixed-media meditation on how contaminated water impacts Indigenous communities. Cuthand\u2019s glass beaded portraits of infectious agents were juxtaposed alongside glass vessels containing beaded viruses: Giardia, Helicobacter, E.Coli, among others. As one among twelve other individual showcases of artists\u2019 work, this particular body of work was not only aesthetically striking, but particularly relevant given the contamination of water being protested in North Dakota.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Ruth Cuthand,\u00a0Don\u2019t Breathe, Don\u2019t Drink,\u00a0<\/em>94 vessels with glass beads and resin, hand-beaded blue tarpaulin tablecloth and gas board, 2016. Available at DC3 Projects<\/p>\n

While art for art\u2019s sake is fine within it\u2019s own right, it is truly refreshing when it creates awareness and supports a greater cause. The Camp Ooch<\/em> paddles, individually designed and painted by notable Canadian artists and celebrities, were exhibited around the Art Toronto grounds. These paddles will be auctioned off on November 2nd<\/span>\u00a0to support Camp Ooch<\/em>, a summer camp that provide enriching, challenging and fun experiences for children with cancer. Beyond the primary money-making function of Art Toronto, this initiative illustrated one of the many ways that art is extending itself to enrich the lives of others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Camp Ooch<\/em> Paddles<\/em> displayed at Art Toronto<\/p>\n

Last, but certainly not least, is the newest addition to Art Toronto: Edition, Toronto\u2019s first International Art Book Fair. As a completely free appendage to Art Toronto\u2019s paid programming, visitors are able to view a broad range of work by exhibitors including publishers, commercial galleries, artist-run centres, independent artists, collectives, book-makers and dealers from around the globe. The selection of prints, multiples, pins, books, editions, stickers and more was a welcome addition to this year’s fair. While the upper level\u2019s artworks are unattainable for less affluent visitors, the main level offered a glimpse into alternative collecting, and how young and enthusiastic collectors can build a limited edition collection without breaking the bank.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Edition Toronto<\/p>\n

Text and photo: Megan Kee<\/p>\n

Art Toronto 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This year\u2019s Art Toronto<\/em>\u00a0created a somewhat different space at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre than in the previous years. The colossal space still was broken into sub units, in which an impressive variety of contemporary galleries showcased their works. It seems more compressed this year, takes up a smaller area but feels airier. It reminds me a of World\u2019s Fair or Crystal Palace (complete with a similar glass ceiling of Joseph Paxton\u2019s from 1851).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The most complementary aspect of the space is the abundance of plants. While seemingly insignificant, the carefully-placed foliage within the aisles, and by the main escalator, creates a comfortable space for the viewer. The plants softened what could have been a harsh or empty repetition of white cubes, in which galleries entice the viewer with their displays. Art exhibitions are often plagued by a perceived sense of inaccessibility and elitism; however, this could not be further from the experience of Art Toronto<\/em>. All gallery staff are delighted to answer questions about exhibited works, as well as to greet those who appeared deeply engaged with the art. Art Toronto<\/em> feels communal and open to everyone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I was instantly captivated by Michael Burges\u2019s gold work, “Self-Emergent Painting No. 1”, presented by Odon Wagner Contemporary Gallery. It reminded me of Andy Warhol\u2019s “Gold Marilyn” <\/em>(1962) which memorializes the starlet in a similar canvas of gold work that recalls Byzantine influences. Burges\u2019s painting evoked both. Eager to learn more, I asked one of the gallery\u2019s attendants about how the work was made. She informed me that it was a type of reverse glass work in which the artist adhered gold leaf directly to the glass, while leaving certain areas uncovered. After applying the gold, Bruges painted over the gold leaf with acrylic paint \u2014 which accounts for the spots of colour coming through from behind in places. Burges, who works primarily out of Germany, also works in silver and platinum leaf. This work was mesmerizing at first glance; however, after having learned of its creation, it became even more unique.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Michael Burges,\u00a0acrylic, 23.75CT gold & plexiglass on aluminum, 59 x 47 in \/150 x 120 cm, Odon Wagner Contemporary, Toronto<\/p>\n

Zhuang Hong Yi\u2019s rice paper piece is visually delightful. “Blue to Orange” appeared to be a large square of folded rice paper flowers. The work was painted in orange and blue, such that, when viewing the work from one direction, it appeares orange, and when viewing the work from the opposite direction, it appeares blue. The gradation of colour is astonishing, and Zhuang Hong Yi\u2019s mastery of his craft is manifest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Zhuang Hong Yi, Blue to Orange, Rice paper on canvas, 135 x 135 cm \/ 53. 1 x 53. 1 in, Modus Art Gallery, Paris<\/p>\n

Chris Millar\u2019s “4E7”\u00a0<\/em>was evocative of sixteenth century Netherlander \u201cenclosed gardens.\u201d The mixed media work, unlike any I had ever seen, resembled a sort of miniature fairy world. The work was both visually overwhelming in its ‘horror vacui’ as well as its small scale. It is easy to get \u00a0lost meandering through the crannies of this miniature work.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Chris Millar, 4E7, mixed media, 13.75\u201d x 109.2 cm x 25.4 cm & 35 x 43 x 10 cm, Galerie Nicolas Robert, Montreal<\/p>\n

You can just as easily get lost in this fair but it would be a pleasurable experience since wherever you go, you find new treasures.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Text and photo: Laura Hutchingame<\/p>\n

*Exhibition information:\u00a0:\u00a0October 28 \u2013 31, 2016, METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE, North Building, Exhibit Hall A & B, 255 Front Street West. Hours: Fri & Sat, 12 \u2013 8 pm., Sun & Mon, 12 \u2013 6 pm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Phil Anderson, Megan Kee and Laura Hutchingame<\/strong><\/p>\n

There were indeed many great works to see at the fair and no doubt galleries both local and international did well enough to return.<\/p>\n

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