Tag: Ontario

Adrienne Trent – Burdens

On By ResaIn Interviews, Sculptures96 Comments

This truly unique and fascinating collection of sculptures has caught my imagination.

It’s found in the temporary space of John B. Aird Gallery, housed in the Artscape building at 906 Queen W. during renovations of its home at MacDonald block.

Artist Adrienne Trent (pictured below) says, “the focus of installation work is not usually about sales, unless to a museum”.

Therefore she is able to project her mind’s eye without the yoke of commerciality. Hers is an honest  exposé of “art for art’s sake”.

About 2 years ago, photos of Adrienne’s  art was fed into an AI program. It came up with the image you see below. She decided to create an actual sculptural collection based on what she saw.

 Below is the result. So, a reflection is added to the mirror of art imitating life and/or life imitating art : Art – imitating artificial intelligence imitating art imitating life that is possibly life imitating art, ad infinitum.

Adrienne created the sculptures using gesso plaster and old curtains from The Goodwill.

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When I asked Adrienne how she came up with the title “Burdens”; she replied that she was at home when asked, on the spot, for the working title. She looked around her home, and answered “Burdens”.

Although not raised in the house she bought as an adult, it had been in her family for 6 generations. This has kept her reticent to fully renovate the original heritage. That respect was a burden. The name stuck.

John B. Aird Gallery is one of the few avant garde galleries to show in Toronto. For me it was a breath of fresh air, after strolling through certain posh downtown galleries where there’s seemingly a second coming of Andy Warhol, and commercialized street art on canvas.

The collection of 4 at the rear of the room is sustainable art from an earlier show. I love this. Some of the items include:

An old used easel, baskets, snowshoe, baseball mitt, license plate, violin, muffin tin, plaster head, rusty can, broken chair, wheel of sorts and is that a paper cup?

The show runs until March 23, 2024. Go on a Saturday, and Adrienne will be there to talk with.

Photos (except for poster) © Resa McConaghy

Moss Park Market

On By ResaIn Kids' Month Tys 2017, Street Art34 Comments

It’s a wonderful place to buy fresh veggies and fruits, in a shipping container.

The container was donated. The donors fixed up the inside to be a fresh produce market.

The donors also installed electricity, heat and AC, so that it could be opened year round.

Located in an inner city part of Toronto, this endeavor is bringing healthy food to very low income people and families who would normally not afford it.

As there are no operating costs, the food is priced well below market.

Read the CBC article about Moss Park Market

The moment I laid eyes on the colorful renditions of the fruits, veggies and flowers decorating it, I knew I had found my Thank You post for Benji and Ms. Zulu.

You might remember that Benji and Ms. Zulu hosted a Vegetable Garden post for Kids” Month.

Every city should have projects like this to help out.

Pics taken by Resa – March 19, 2017

Toronto, Canada

⭐ ⭐ THANK YOU, BENJI & MS. ZULU! ⭐ ⭐

Benji and Ms. Zulu were the best helpers I ever had. They know a lot about planting, watering and why we should not use pesticides. You can visit them by clicking on their names or on their pic.

They want to remind everyone to visit “Vegetables & Fruits Dogs Can & Can’t Eat”

Also, you can visit their mom’s blog by clicking on the picture of the flower. It is a very pretty blog & is called by their mom’s name, Anarette! ⭐ Thank you, Anarette! ⭐

Water

On By ResaIn Kids' Month 201736 Comments

Fresh water is one of the most important things in life.

Benji & Ms. Zulu remind us in my last post, that all plants & animals need plenty of fresh water to live and grow.

SO, how can we keep it clean? Can we pollute less? How will life grow if it drinks poison?

There is one other side to this mini-mural. Looks to me like kids are sharing.

Here’s older kids, still sharing.

“Think Global, Act Local”

Pics Taken by Resa- May 26, 2016

Ottawa, Canada

The Artist: Is unknown to me. I will update when I know.

KIDS MONTH 2017

Uber’s Chicks

On By ResaIn Kids' Month 201721 Comments

These sweet birdies are all over the city for young and old alike to enjoy.

Artist: Uber 5000
Artist: Uber 5000

This painted power box is outside of a grade school, and community park.

Artist: Uber 5000
Artist: Uber 5000

Seems like chicks and “Chicklets” alike are for kids, and kids are very cool.

Artist:Uber 5000
Artist:Uber 5000
Artist: Uber 5000
Artist: Uber 5000

Even the stupid tag on this side doesn’t ruin it, for me. I hope the kids who see it everyday are inspired by the art, and not the vandalism. I’m hoping Uber 5000 comes back and touches it up.

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Artist: Uber 5000

Pics taken by Resa – January 2, 2017

Toronto, Canada

Artist: Uber 5000
Artist: Uber 5000

KIDS MONTH 2017

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The Girls

On By ResaIn Alley Gallery, Murals36 Comments

In a lane off  Wellesely is this very pretty, but wildly eroded mural.

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I’ve never seen paint peeling like this before. It was literally hanging like curled and colorful Post-it notes across a 40 ft. wall.

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Had I found this when it was fresh, it would have been a 3-part post. This is all that was left to take pics of. I considered taking a shot of the peeling paint, but alas, I couldn’t bare to be reminded of what I’d missed out on.

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Pics taken by Resa – March 24, 2016

Toronto, Canada

Artist(s): unknown to me

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