Local videographer Haley Ma has made a series of shorts entitled “Break Perceptions” with B-Boys and B-Girls in association with Unity Charity in Toronto. “Dance Is Life” with B-Boy Wei Ming is the first instalment of 5 shorts which Ma will be releasing over the course of the next 5 days.
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“This exhibition will not make you happier” warns Stefan Sagmeister as you enter the third floor of the Design Exchange. Maybe not, but it’ll definitely bring a smile to your face.
The Happy Show marks Sagmeister’s first ever museum show in Canada. This show is a graphic design afficiandos candy land, both in a literal sense (at times offering free candy in exchange for participation) and figurative sense, (demonstrated by the ingenious graphics hand drawn and organized by Sagmeister himself). His work not only permeates the entire third floor but it also appears in washrooms, on doors and even fire alarms. Having his work appear in very normal environments, like a bathroom stall, just underlies how very normal Sagmeister sees himself as. And it’s definitely entertaining while you use the “facilities”.
As you make your way through the exhibit, you begin to see that there is more to the show than meets the eye. This is an intimate look inside one mans search for happiness. Like pages straight from his diary, personal maxims like “Trying to look good limits my life” and “Drugs are fun in the beginning but become a drag later” are scattered around the exhibit and make us aware of the effort he has taken to analyze his own experiences with happiness. This point is made more poignant by the film clips that play from Sagmeister’s upcoming Happy Film: as he embarrassingly compliments strangers on the street in an attempt to prove his maxim “Having guts always works out for me” making a fool of himself time and time again. It’s impossible not to be affected by the vulnerability Sagmeister experiences.
The Happy Show is on now until March 9th at the Design Exchange.
For more info: dx.org
Posted By Tahnee Pantig
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You might remember our post back in April ’09, about the “Beautiful City” initiative. It aims to implement a “Billboard Tax” that holds advertisers accountable for their impact on public spaces. Implementation of the bylaw/tax would increase arts funding in Toronto while opening access to different forms of expression in our public spaces.
Recently the Supreme court of Canada upheld the billboard tax unlocking one of the last barriers to increased funding for the arts in Toronto. This billboard tax was first proposed to the city in 2001 during the Creative City Youth Consultations as a way to enhance art in the public realm and empower diverse voices.
Tonight inside City Hall, artists, city councillors and young people from across the GTA held an art rally in support of the idea of using the billboard tax to rejuvenate arts and culture in Toronto.
It’s still not too late to get involved!
TAKE ACTION
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We’d like to introduce you to a very talented Toronto based photographer known as SoTeeOh. He’s a ‘visual junkie’ with an addiction to showcasing everything Toronto. We’re not only fans of his work, but we’re also proud to announce that SoTeeOh has joined the 1 LOVE T.O. team as our new contributing photographer on Instagram.
Take a look at some of his work below…
For more photos check out: soteeoh.tumblr.com
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On Friday, Nov. 9th, we attended the “New Era Introducing” art exhibit inside the Edward Day Gallery on Queen West. “New Era Introducing” is a global creative project showcasing unique talent from across the world, including Canada. The project aims at giving creative minds of tomorrow an opportunity to make their own statement using a blank New Era 59FIFTY as their canvas. This traveling showcase will also turn into a published limited edition book featuring the works from all the artists. Take a look below at a few of our favourite hats from the show…
For more info: neweraintroducing.com
Photos by Arthur Mola
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Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival is Canada’s largest and longest running pan-Asian film festival showcasing the works of East and Southeast Asian artists. This year’s annual event includes 8 days of films, workshops, panels and parties. The festival starts today, Nov. 6-11, in Toronto and Nov. 16-17, in Richmond Hill.
The film to watch is “Prison Dancer”, directed by Canada’s own award-winning Romeo Candido. The film was inspired by the real-life dancing rehabilitation program that went viral on YouTube. “Prison Dancer” tells the very personal but yet hilarious stories of 6 Filipino inmates whose group dancing turned a maximum-security prison into a world stage.
FILM SCREENING
Date: Friday, Nov. 9th
Time: 6:45PM
Place: The Royal – 608 College St.
For more info: reelasian.com
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The Remix Project and The City Life Film Project have the chance to receive up to $1,000,000 in funding from the Aviva Community Fund. The fund was created to support ideas to create positive change in Canada. Watch the video above, and if you feel like helping, all you have to do is vote!
Good Luck!
Previously: City Life Film Project
For those of you who were not able to attend Darren Anthony’s fundraiser for his short film, “The Rec”, which is based off his play, “Secrets of a Black Boy”, there is still an opportunity for you to get involved. Darren has now released an indiegogo campaign in the hopes of raising $5,000 to help create his film.
To learn more or donate, visit: indiegogo.com/therec
About The Film
The Rec is a current, edgy story about the secrets of five black men. Set against the back drop of displaced poverty-stricken families in Regent Park, the story centers around Sheldon, a community center worker. Five friends gather inside a community centre about to be demolished, to say good bye one last time to the place they all called home for many years. Sheldon reminisces about what the community centre means to him and his friends.
This short is a forum for urgent commentary about both the disintegration of the notorious low-income housing complex Regent Park and the lives of the young men most affected by it. The Rec gives a gritty, uncensored look at the lives of black men. No subject is taboo, from interracial dating, commitment phobia, gun violence, sexuality, drugs and love. Every stereotype of black men will be critically examined and explored.
Previously: “Secrets In NYC”
Our friends at Roots Canada recently had their logo reinterpreted by mixed media artist Dolan Geiman. The style was inspired by Dolan’s American Souvenir Collection, creating the Canadian beaver mascot with the use of acrylic paint, salvaged wood and found materials.
To see more of Dolan Geiman’s work, visit: dolangeiman.com
Toronto photographer Tom Ryaboi just released his first ever time lapse project entitled “City Rising”. The video took Tom over 4 months to create, and in the process he climed the equivalent of an average sized Himalayan Mountain (23,000 feet)! Watch this beautiful video as it takes you around the city, from rush hour traffic to the highest city peaks and above the clouds. Toronto, like you’ve never seen it before.
Previously: Toronto Tempo
Street Hearts is a Toronto born project originally started by a man named John, who unfortunately took his life in 2011. His vision was to create a book that exhibits the unexpected reminders of love that exist within the world. Since his passing, his friends and family have continued the project by using social media to document Street Hearts. Following the original plan, Mike and Josh (friends of John’s) plan to collect enough hearts to finish the book.
If you’d like to be a part of this project, upload your photos here: facebook.com/StreetHeartsX
For more info: streethearts.ca
Director Shane Stirling releases the 2nd installment of The Leadertape series, featuring Toronto actor A.J. Saudin, best known for his role as Connor in the popular TV series Degrassi: The Next Generation. We encourage you to take a few minutes to get to know more about this talented young actor.
Previously: The Leadertape No. 1
