On October 1st, art-loving Torontonians will enjoy a sleepless night. Not because of bad dreams, or because they have too much on their minds, but because it will be Nuit Blanche. Since 2006, the award-winning, city-wide event has been turning our city into a creative playground from sunset to sunrise. This free event places contemporary art experiences and installations into unexpected spaces for the public to view and enjoy. With over 90 contemporary art projects, this year’s Nuit Blanche is set to impress. Here is our guide for what to check out.
Ocean – Philip Beesley – Rotunda of City Hall, 100 Queen Street West
The Rotunda of City Hall will be transformed into a turbulent environment for all your senses to experience. A constantly changing canopy of recycled fabrics and textiles are accompanied by bursts of light and dark, flowing movement, and sound.
Lies – Marie José Arjona – Artscape Sandbox, 201 Adelaide Street W
This interactive performance involves a set of 365 questions, on a variety of topics and answers. The artist’s physical and psychological stamina will confront (not to mention impress) the audience.
Literature vs. Traffic – Luzinterruptus – Old City Hall, 60 Queen Street W
This interactive light installation will transform a street that is usually occupied by vehicles into a river of donated books. As the end of the night approaches, the books can be taken by whoever may want them!
Espace du Silence – Pascal Grandmaison & Marie-Claire Blais – The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, 231 Queens Quay W
This large-scale, hypnotic film was inspired by an essay written by the artist Piet Mondrian, in which a dialogue is formed between an art lover and an abstract painter.
Portals/White Line – Jason Peters – Drake One Fifty – 150 York Street
This huge light sculpture of what appears to be monumental ribbons, twisting down an entire city block, is actually an example of mundane objects creating contemporary and engaging art, as it’s made from plastic buckets!
Nova – [R]ed[U]x Lab – 401 Richmond Street W
Created by a collective of Ryerson’s digital fabricators and designers, this walk-in installation explores the illusion of infinity and expansiveness through mirrors and lights.
Mapping People – Julie Cosgrove & Riaz Mehmood – Sonic Boom, 215 Spadina Avenue
Using new media, and interactive projection, the viewers of ‘Mapping People’ are what trigger this experience. The viewers’ presence in the space is what triggers a triangulated map, which is then generated into a drawing in real time.
Stories We Tell – Various Artists – Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W
15 artists show their creative and imaginative take on expressing stories in different ways. Viewers can walk through each exhibition, reading their way through these ‘visually constructed’ works that use drawings, comics, illustrations, ceramics, and photography to tell a story.
Laneway Canopy – Mark Francis et al. – 25 Kensington Avenue
This local artist seeks to show how simple interventions can turn leftover, unused spaces, into a more vibrant urban experience. The installation allows viewers to engage with the novelty of the space in their own way.
CITYLights – Dereck Revinton & Paul Boken – Victoria Memorial Square, 10 Niagara Street
In these light installations, the latest in lighting technology is used to create temporary, site-specific installations that light up landscape features and public art in Victoria Memorial Park. The focus is on improving and bringing some extra interest to urban settings with sustainable lighting.