Art of the Danforth 2012
ART OF THE DANFORTH
East Danforth transformed into a 22-day art experiment
May 20 – June 10, 2012
MEDIA LAUNCH: 4 – 5 pm, May 22
LucSculpture Studio & Schools, 663 Greenwood
From May 20 to June 10, Art of the Danforth will transform Danforth Ave from Greenwood to Cedarvale into an interactive art exhibit featuring: 36 large site-specific installations, 4 hands-on workshops, 20 stores turned mini-galleries, and over 50 walking tours, on-the-fly events and performances. All activities and exhibits will be free, accessible and open to all.
The breadth and length of this event are ambitious - no other event in Toronto attempts to install “temporary” works for three continuous weeks, day and night. Asad Raza, Director of Visual Arts Projects, is “…curious to see how the audience’s experience of this event will change over the 22 days. In particular, the moment when the installations become boring, when art and daily life experience become one and the same”.
Art of the Danforth features a unique blend of community involvement and cutting edge art. The installations have been curated by four of the most dynamic up-and-coming galleries and collectives in Toronto: Butcher Gallery, Labspace Studio, EquΔlΔterΔl and the Madeleine Collective. Between them, they have brought in projects by some of the most cutting edge Toronto Artists, including Vs Vs Vs, Alex McLeod, the Department of Unusual Certainties and Mammalian Diving Reflex.
But there are multiple interfaces for non-artists to contribute as well. Anyone can participate in Art of the Danforth – by waving to someone in Toronto’s west end via an interactive video screen, taking a yarn-bombing workshop, joining a walking tour, hosting arts curios in their own homes, or simply exploring the area on their own time.
Finally, Art of the Danforth is a large-scale event in an area of Toronto not typically recognized for its artistic potential. “Most people don’t realize how many artists live in this neighborhood, or just how vibrant this area is” says event Producer Cindy Rozeboom. “People drive down Danforth, see the empty stores and write us off. With Art of the Danforth, we’re trying to change that”,.
This is the second year of Art of the Danforth. The event premiered in 2010 (see highlights here). For calendar/events listings, map of the area and full project descriptions, please visit http://www.artofthedanforth.com
X X X
Art of the Danforth 2012 Projects – Highlights
VIDEOS
2012 Performance Compilation by Double Double Land @ 1195 Danforth Ave: Tim Hortons/Esso
A video compilation of performance artists, presented inside the kiosk at the old Roxy movie theatre.
Dream-scape by Alex McLeod @ Coxwell Library, 1675 Danforth Ave
An 2-channel synchronized video installation that will light up the top floor of the local Public Library.
INTERACTIVE
East-West Portal by Forgetus Collective @ 1214 Danforth Ave, Fitness Maintenance
A digital portal between Toronto’s East and West ends— a storefront monitor and camera on the Danforth allows viewers to visually communicate with those at an identical spot in the West end.
Activated Window by Gram Schmalz @ 1847 Danforth Ave: Quack Quack Animation
A touch and action-based interactive window, manipulated by gesture and movement.
Stories You Haven’t Heard (from Woodbine to Greenwood) by The Pocketology Collective. Various locations & times.
Participants share the contents of their pockets and share a story!
EXHIBITS
Object Show: Objects at Rest at the Same Speed by VSVSVS @ 1238 Danforth Ave and in local homes
This series of exhibitions will showcases artists’ collections of objects, both made and found.
INSTALLATIONS
Neighbourhood Messages by Brian Cauley @ Coxwell parkette, Danforth @ Coxwell
Words are type-written on postage tags and hung from trees in Coxwell park.
Movement => Balloons by Cara Spooner & Willy Chyr @ 1811 Danforth Ave, Kabul Decorations
The movement of a dancer is converted into a 3D computer model, which then serves as the basis for a balloon sculpture.
Art of the Danforth Innovators' Fair: A series of programless pavilions by Department of Unusual Certainties @ East Lynn Park
Temporary pavilions injected into East Lynn Park.
MURALS
Twitter Mural by Brian Rideout @ 1417 Danforth Ave: Top Notch Pizza
A mural based on public opinion. Tweet suggestions to #RideoutMural to be included in the design.
Integration by Carly Shields @ 2013 Danforth Ave
A mural portraying well known myths and legends, accompanied by live readings every Sunday 3-4 PM.
PERFORMANCES
Street Performances (July 9 & 10, 1-4 pm) from: Tim Bovaconti, Sol Express, Hudurising Blues Band, Lisa Olafson, Kristen Lindell, Voces Poeticas (Poetic Voices), Brandon Pitts , Chris Hercules & The Sometimes Quintet, Gold Medusa Living Statue
EVENTS
Feast In The East by Feast in the East @ 1218 Danforth Ave: Danny Greens
A show & dinner inspired the neighborhood’s culinary history. May 20th, May 26th and June 9th
Parking Lot Art Fair by Butcher Gallery @ 1439 Danforth Ave: Green P lot
Butcher Gallery invites artists and dealers alike to buy a parking permit, take a spot and set up shop. Your ‘booth’ stands as long as your permit is valid (strictly enforced).
Art in Stores Reception – Thursday May 24, 6-7:30 PM @ Woodgreen,
Meet the 20 artists participating in the Art in Stores program where visual artists display their works in local businesses.
ACTIVITIES
Danforth Bike Line by Denise Ing. Meet at 692 Coxwell Ave
Cyclists will leave their mark on the Danforth, creating a temporary bike lane for fellow commuters. Group rides May 27, June 3, and June 10.
Traffic Jam by Dan Bazuin. Various locations & times
Passersby can contribute their drawings to a cartoon highway created on a stack of perforated computer paper nearly a kilometer in length. A project now in its 15th year.
TOURS
These are the People in Your Neighbourhood by Mammalian Diving Reflex
An interactive performance starring Ms. Jen’s Grade 4 class from R.H. McGregor Elementary. The kids take you on a tour of their neighbourhood.
Art Amble by Rick Kunst & Ken MacDougall (Funny Business People)
A light and amusing walking tour that allows the group to experience the varied works of the Art of the Danforth. No tour the same!
WORKSHOPS
Junkestra Led by Mark Sepic @ 1675 Danforth Ave, Coxwell Library, June 9th
Everyday household objects are turned into musical instruments.
Yarn Bombing by Amy Barnes @ 1675 Danforth: Coxwell Library 1675 Danforth Ave, May 26
Yarn bombs will startle, surprise and sprout up alongside flower beds and lampposts.
Categories: Community Engagement, Events, Festivals, Ideas, Info Sessions, Projects, Showcases, Spaces, Tours
