Last week of AbEx

The abstract expressionist show is soon departing the AGO (the last day is Sept 4) and I am loath to say goodbye to my favourite paintings. 

Dwarf by William Baziotes (most adorable painting ever)

Mark Rothko

Inuit Modern

On my bi-weekly tours of the AGO's Canadian gallery, I usually include a brief exploration of the Inuit Modern exhibit, because I love it. Except that last week they had changed all of the prints and drawings on the walls and I didn't realize until I was halfway through my tour. I was a little perturbed that they removed "Enchanted Owl" by Kenojuak Ashevak from 1960, which is the most perfect piece of graphic work ever created.

Enchanted Owl, by Kenojuak Ashevak (1960)

The outlines of the feathers are varied and imperfect but in my mind, this only serves to make the overall image more perfect looking. I don't think the owl would be nearly as powerful if each feather was a flawlessly clean-lined and Photoshopped shape.


Inuit prints and drawings often have animals or figures floating in mid-air and objects don't seem to be realistically situated in space. However, the Inuit perspective was explained to me thus: In the Arctic, figures appear to just pop out from a white background. I imagine, sometimes, everything is white - sky and ground alike. As in a whiteout, there is literally no clear horizon line.

Photo of a whiteout in Antarctica from Wikipedia

In context, this makes Inuit drawings totally realistic.

Hunter and Inuit on the Land, by Ruth Annaqtuusi Tulurialik

See what I'm saying? 


Compare the above to drawings of interiors by Annie Pootoogook. 

Calling Annie, by Annie Pootoogook

Space is clearly delineated (e.g. the radio is on the table; the table is in front of the wall), but the picture still looks fairly 2-dimensional and objects on the wall are scattered about in the same way that figures are scattered about in many other Inuit drawings. This is a phenomenon I cannot explain. Go to the Inuit Modern exhibit and make your own conclusions. It'll be on until October 16th. 

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition

Okay, I know this post is delayed - I went to TOAE July 11th - but anyways, this is what I bought at the show this year. For some reason my photos don't really capture the awesomeness of the mug, so I suggest visiting the artist's website: Jeanne Longman.

dressing up my munki

Munki wanted to show off the earrings I bought in Kensington Market this week and how versatile they are.


Munki is Classy in her bow ring and belt bracelet:

Munki is Boho-chic in her boho ring and Great Wall of China bracelet.

Awesome.

She Rules with Iron Stix

A little research into the girl with the Stop Harper sign revealed the following - a contemporary political performance artist.

Willie Cole: making stuff look like other stuff

The Thinker, by Willie Cole

Some similar sculptures as these are in the AGO:

Speedster, by Willie Cole

Shine, by Willie Cole

two shoes

Theoretically wearable, but stupid-looking:

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs

Not at all wearable, but awesome:

Guo Pei Winter 2010 collection

If you couldn't see the Asian influence, take a look at this:

omg four arms (what is she doing with her fingers?!)

Pictures from Fashletic

another architectural shoe

It took me a good 3 minutes to figure out how to fit one's foot into this shoe. Upon realizing where the heel goes, I can't imagine this would be comfortable or even stay on one's foot. Why can't people design comfortable shoes? 

John Hakes' Mojito shoe

a model wearing a more wearable but less sleek version of the shoe