Sunday, August 26, 2012

Kara Bogaz Gol in the Distillery District until October 1

Guy Laliberté's GAIA Exhibit in Distillery, photo collage by Olga Goubar

GAIA
The Earth Like You've Never Seen it Before
A series of 60 large scale photographs taken from space
A creative project by Guy Laliberté


Presented by: Thompson Landry Gallery
at The Distillery Historic District in Toronto
August 2 - October 1, 2012

The GAIA exhibit showcases incredible photographs of the Earth taken from a distance of more than 350 kilometres by Guy Laliberté during his 11-day orbit, revealing unique views of some 40 countries.

Costs: Free
Once in a while you can find living proof that your wildest dreams have come true, that happened to me whilst visiting the GAIA exhibit by Guy Laliberté, the creator of Cirque du Soleil, hosted by the Thompson Landry Gallery in the Distillery District.

Guy became the space clown with his camera, cherishing the earth, whilst being the first Canadian space tourist.

To my greatest joy, the first illustration in the body of his book GAIA begins with Kara Bogaz Gol, the marvellous story of the rejuvenation of the “mighty straight lake" and the spectacular, sparking emerald heart chakra green, glistening next to the throat chakra blue of the Caspian Sea.

The image of the Caspian Sea is identical to the ground of the Water Goddess painting by Toronto artist Darinka Blagaj years ago, she phoned from in front of the Kara Bogaz Gol panel and read the text into my voice-mail. I could not believe my ears, but apparently I can, I have checked with my own eyes and you can touch the huge photos on metal panels in the courtyard, an experience of walking round the world not to be missed, truly out of this world and so absolutely and beautifully true.

You can travel the world in miniature and macrocosm at the same time. So wild, such a gift. I wonder if Guy watched the movie all astronauts watch before going into space, the movie was made at Kara Bogaz Gol, and is called "The White Sun of the Desert". I found the magical child holding that Sun, in the palm of a funny man's hand more than a year ago.

So yes, I really do feel on top of the world, thanks to all of you for making my life so wonderful and this all real!!!!! Yeah. Fairy tales come true "when you're young at heart."

Life is the story, I'm so happy with mine, thanks so much for being a part of it, and big hugs all round ... the GAIA show runs until September 3, 2012 October 1, 2012.

Cara Reeves
aka Kara Bogaz-Gol
Writer, Freelance Textile Conservator
Cara’s new novel Rococo Brocade is basically an eighteen century farce
with a creative philosophy of social justice.
@karabogazgol

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The Junction Music Festival - Festival of Independent Music for All Ages: September 22

West Toronto Junction Music Festival, September 22nd, 2012, poster by thejunctionbia.ca
Poster: The Junction Music Festival
Happening Saturday, September 22nd, 2012
The Junction Business Improvement Area
Credit: thejunctionbia.ca

Junction Music Festival

Presented by: The Junction BIA

Date: September 22, 2012

Time: 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM

Costs: Free

The Junction Music Festival is a festival of independent music for all ages.

With more than 20 participating venues, from cafes to interior design stores, music performances by Junction artists, and featured musical guests in free public concerts on 2 stages.

Enjoy music workshops, music inspired menus or fitness to the rhythm, and more...

On September 22nd, let the Music guide you through the Junction!

Location:
Event takes place in multiple locations, please contact event organizers for more details.

Public Transit:
Easily accessible from Dundas West, Keele, or High Park Metro Stations. Average 15 minute walk (north).
  • Bus 40 from Dundas West
  • Bus 41 or 89 from Keele Station
  • Bus 30 from High Park Station
TTC Trip Planner

For more info:
Website: www.thejunctionbia.ca/the-junction-music-festival/
Email: thejunctionbia@gmail.com
Phone: 416-767-9068

Press Release: Let Music Guide You Through the Junction

Credit: Toronto Festivals and Events Calendar: Junction music Festival

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Junction Design Crawl - There Will Be Something for Everyone

Junction Design Crawl 2012 Map: A Night of Special Events Friday, August 24, 2012, 7–11pm by junctiondesigncrawl.com
Image: Be Guided by the Lights at the Junction Design Crawl
Friday, August 24, 2012, 7 – 11 p.m.
Junction Design Crawl Map: A Night of Special Events Brought to You by:
Telephone Booth Gallery, Narwhal Art Projects, Mjolk, MASON Design,
Articulations, Opticianado, SMASH, Phillipa C. Photography, Russet and Empire, and MORE

Credit: junctiondesigncrawl.com

"The neighbourhood is a very creative one. It’s known for its art..."
~ Jim Roche in The Grid: Designing the Junction


Following the success of its inaugural night of special events last year: from iconic Icelandic hot dogs, or pylsur to paper moon portraits, the Second Annual Junction Design Crawl is bringing something memorable for everyone this year on Friday, August 24.

The Junction Design Crawl 2012

Friday, August 24, from 7 to 11 o'clock in the evening

A night of special events, one-of-a-kind art installations, and exhibits for your pleasure
hosted by your favourite Junction art galleries and shops
in association with

Russet & Empire: Purveyor of Fine Goods from this Great Nation and Abroad
Phillipa C Photography: People. Spontaneity. Love!
SMASH: design store / art gallery
Opticianado: Toronto Eyewear & Sunglass Shop
ARTiculations: Supply Centre Resource
MASON: Interior Design Studio
Mjölk: Scandinavian & Japanese Design
NARWHAL: Contemporary Art Gallery
Telephone Booth Gallery: Contemporary Canadian Art
and other fine establishments

Follow the hashtags for news and updates:
#JunctionDesignCrawl
#JunctionTO

From junctiondesigncrawl.com:
The Junction Design Crawl is organized by a bunch of independent businesses in the Junction neighbourhood of Toronto.

All businesses who are participating on the evening will have white lights strung up outside of their shops, making it easy to navigate the evening.

Be guided by the lights on Friday August 24th at the Junction Design Crawl!
Just make sure to add the hashtags to your tweets to get #JunctionDesignCrawl & #JunctionTO trending!

links:
facebook.com: Junction Design Crawl
August 24, 2012
Mason Presents Midsummer Night at the Junction Design Crawl
Public Event · By Mason Studio

For one evening only, Mason Studio transforms the Junction Train Platform into an enchanted stage for the second annual Junction Design Crawl on August 24th from 7:30pm to 10:30pm.

Through a large series of manufactured objects, a sculptural installation will light up the neighbourhood creating a beacon of beauty and music with the coming of dusk.

Alongside your favorite Junction retailers, the night will be filled with unforgettable events, installations and music.

Click the link to find out more about the Junction Design Crawl.

TELEPHONE BOOTH GALLERY is bringing the experience of PARKS CANADA to the Junction.

Film projection:
"Mystic Morning" Directed by Jamie Travis
The National Parks Project (NPP) is a collaborative film and music project featuring 52 of Canada’s most acclaimed artists.
Courtesy of FilmCAN / Primitive Entertainment
Music by Ohad Benchitrit, Don Kerr, Casey Mecija
Artwork: Tara Cooper, Clint Griffin, Daryl Vocat, Laura Peturson, Julia Vandepolder + more!
Special Guest: Shannon Gerard's CARL WAGAN!

artoronto.ca: 2nd Annual JUNCTION DESIGN CRAWL
Be Guided by the Lights Friday, August 24, 2012, 7 – 11 p.m.
A Night of Special Events for Your Pleasure
Hosted by Your Favourite Shops!

If you would like to learn more about The #JunctionTO find the best of what the Junction had to offer, from restaurants to art galleries, from coffee shops to bakeries, check out some retail stores, please follow the link to the article:

StyleDemocracy.com: Style Democracy: Store Of The Week: We Visit The Junction
"It is clear that the Junction is a design based neighbourhood, and yields many creative types. Walking down Dundas street West, there is an abundance of art galleries, studios, and antique shops...."
By Isabella Zavarise, Photo Credits: Cornelia Baptista

Update:
6. JUNCTION DESIGN CRAWL (FREE!)

A hodgepodge of shops in The Junction will be open late this Friday as part of the Junction Design Crawl. Mjölk will host the launch of its limited-edition design and travel guide, Mjölk Volume 1 (featuring interviews with artists showcased in the store and the rundown on Stockholm, Reykjavik and Hokkaido), while things will get outdoorsy at Telephone Booth Gallery, with screenings of the short Canadian wilderness flick Mystic Morning and a 1988 VW Westfalia camper van-cum-gallery, studio, library and classroom named the Carl Wagan. Other stores include Russet and Empire, Smash and Narwhal; all locations are within a few blocks of each other. August 24. 7-11 p.m. Various locations, junctiondesigncrawl.com

Toronto Life: The Weekender: Buskerfest, Fan Expo and six other events on our to-do list