Face Value
I have been invited to curate an installation on behalf of Studio Gallery at Toronto’s first TEDxTO! My selection is by Toronto artist Piotr Adas.
Fasade is a playful commentary on a current trend in architecture of constructing contemporary additions on historical and cultural public institutions. Often an expensive and elaborate process, the building of new structures on pre-existing structures is commonly known as parasitic architecture. Toronto examples of parasitic architecture include the Daniel Libeskind’s crystal on the ROM, Will Alsop’s addition to OCAD, and Frank Gehry’s redesign of the AGO.
Parasitic architecture often faces a challenge of creating a new harmonized structure. Fasade aims to illustrate this challenge by installing a “parasitic” wall of floral paintings at various locations and buildings throughout Toronto. In some instances, the installation complements the existing structure to form a symbiotic relationship, whereas in other times, the structures are in conflict. Each location and public interaction with the installation is then captured by film and photography and documented on a blog.
Fasade will also be on display during the month of September and during Nuit Blanche at 52 McCaul as part of the Manifesto Festival Of Music, Art & Culture.
If you were not selected to receive a ticket to TEDxTO (nothing personal, hundreds applied!), next best thing is the TEDxTO After Party at Brassaii presented by NotableTV. Extra bonus: I’m DJing.
Well, it’s the first TEDxTO but technically it’s the second Toronto TED event – the first being 10 years ago in partnership with Moses Znaimer’s ideaCity – that event was called TEDCity
…now you’ve got me reminiscing. What an incredible event that was – Frank Gehry, Karim Rashid, Steven Page, Don McKellar, Steve Mann, William Gibson, Joeffer Caoc, Douglas Coupland, Bruce Mau, Douglas Cardinal, Moshe Safdie, Bruce Cockburn… tons more but I’m lost for names. And incredible Chihuly sculptures that took over the whole stage.
I can’t wait until they bring a full TED event like that to Toronto again. Looking forward to tomorrow!
Thanks for the correction. Excited for tomorrow as well!