T HE
BBLOORDALET IMES Neighbourhood news worth repeating
www.theblooordaletimes.wordpress.com
JULY 2015 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 6
BROTHER AND SISTER DAY MAKES HEADWAY ACROSS PROVINCE BY JUSTIN MILLERSON
justin.bdp@gmail.com
Three years ago, a tradition derived from India called Raksha Bandhan Day, or in English, Brother and Sister Day made its official mark in Canada by landing first in Brampton, Ontario. Local resident Daniel Masih led the successful charge in 2013 and when looking back on the milestone, Masih said he’s amazed how far the celebration has come. “It’s been an unbelieveable process,” said Masih. “I’m so blessed to have come this far.” But Masih assured that he’s still in the beginning of his journey as the Toronto-born activist has eventual plans to have Brother and Sister Day recognized worldwide. It’s a tall task, Masih is quick to identify, but his journey is about to take a couple big leaps in the coming months. Masih strategically wore a Toronto Blue Jays shirt under a track wind breaker to his interview with The Bloordale Times and it was no coincidence. Through several months of hard work, Masih got in touch with the Toronto Blue Jays organization with a goal to have the team -- known to support several family oriented causes -- acknowledge Brother and Sister Day in any way possible. “It took me a good year to get an interview with them...and thank God they called me and I was well prepared,” said Maish.
After a successful sell, the Blue Jays organization agreed to have Masih throw out the first pitch of a game in September (yet to be determined) at the Rogers Centre. Furthermore, Masih is in the process of having the CN Tower lit up in pink and blue on the same evening. “I played a little baseball in highschool, but I could use a little practice,” Masih joked. As for Ontario cities that will recognize Brother and Sister Day in 2015, Masih confirmed his third in three years; Brampton in 2013, Pickering in 2014 and now Niagara Falls in 2015. He is still hopeful to someday have the day recognized in Toronto. “I’ve tried talking to political representatives, but it’s a tough process,” said Masih. “We have to work with their schedules and timelines.” Perhaps a big help to get the attention of the City of Toronto is Masih’s current documentary project, which will capture his portions of his journey in spreading the word. The documentary is still in production, and there’s no confirmed completion date. In addition to this, Masih is planning to publish a children’s novel in the near future to send awareness to families all over the country. “We’re trying to capture my journey and what Brother and Sister Day is all about,” said Masih. “And we want to emphasize love and protection, which is what the day is all about.”
CIRO’S PUB TO SEE CHANGES THIS YEAR BY JUSTIN MILLERSON
justin.bdp@gmail.com
While strolling around the neighbourhood, you have likely noticed a tiny local watering hole called Ciro’s Restaurant. It rests at the corner of Bloor St. and Lansdowne Ave., looking about as old as the structure it sits in. A rundown window bar, a creaky door, a dim atmosphere for regulars to crawl into. For a long time, this was Ciro’s. But it won’t always be this way said Gary Barnes, recent part owner of the decades-old pub. It was just over a month ago when Barnes saw an opportunity to invest in the aging restaurant / bar, a scenario he compared to fixing up an old classic car. “It’s like looking at an old [vehicle], it needs a little work, but once it’s done, the place will be fantastic,” said Barnes. The timeline for the bar and restaurant makeover is roughly January 2016, but unlike other restaurant overhauls, Ciro’s will keep its doors open to the public. Barnes called it a phase-in...
see CIRO’S page 2
INSIDE
Daniel Masih, who in September will throw out the first pitch of a Toronto Blue Jays game in commemoration of Brother and Sister Day. Photo by Justin Millerson
Andrew Cash Member of Parliament
WORKING FOR YOU IN DAVENPORT! 1162 College St | (416) 654-8048 | andrewcash.ca
‘AMY’ PROVES TO BE A HIT SAYS FILM BUFF The life of Amy Winehouse shown bluntly and beautifully
Page 4
LOCAL ACTIVIST OFFERS TAKE ON LIQUOR LAWS It’s time offer convenient alcohol options to Ontarians
Page 9
BLOORDALE’S ART GALLERY GUIDE Your guide to art in the neighbourhood
Page 10
02 The Bloordale Times July 2015
News
NDP federal leader Tom Mulcair made a trip to Davenport on Canada Day to celebrate our nation’s 148th birthday. Hundreds gathered in the schoolyard at St. Sebastian’s Catholic School. Photo by Justin Millerson
...makeover, one that will take place “a little at a time.” “We’re choosing not to close the doors, we want to involve our clientele in the process as well,” he said. “This neighbourhood is changing, we need to keep up with it. “There’s an opportunity to here to have something of interest in the neighbourhood.” “We’re trying to build a new Ciros.” With a new patio already completed, Barnes and his team have plans to refinish the kitchen, revise the menu and beer line, change the facade and interior, and include a greater entertainment presence. CIRO’S from page 1
Ciro’s Restaurant circa 2013.
TwistedFrame.ca 2015
04 The Bloordale Times July 2015
Feature
FILM BUFF GIVES PRAISE TO ‘AMY’, A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE REALITIES OF SHOW BIZ BY JESSICA BERRY
myyearatthemovietheatre.tumblr.com
Running Time: 128 minutes (translation 2 hours and 8 minutes) Director: Asif Kapadia ‘AMY’ opens with an incongruous look at a few teenagers goofing around. They are having fun, laughing and talking on camera; it’s someone’s birthday. The familiar and awkward “Happy Birthday” melody begins to chime in, and then you hear it: her voice. The audience is instantly reminded of the very first time Amy Winehouse’s voice was heard, and why it pulled us in like the siren call of a muse. Amy Winehouse had a voice like no other, and Asif Kapadia, the director of the film, reminds us of this fact within the first 30 seconds of ‘AMY’. This film is built on archival footage and voice over interviews. From an outsider’s glance it would appear that the ‘AMY’ and the ‘Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck’ documentaries run similar courses. Both films utilize personal footage provided by friends and family, with a sprinkling of canned production assets from various award shows, concerts and interviews; but there is something strikingly different between the films that become evident right away. ‘Montage of Heck’ is meant
to be an homage to Cobain’s life work and his pure artistic ability; an introduction of sorts to a generation who has presumably never heard of Nirvana. ‘AMY’ is a grittier, un-stylized and almost raw account of her rise to fame; it feels more like an afterschool special meant to warn kids of the perils of drugs, eating disorders and sexual promiscuity. Watching the film reminds me more of court case footage being used to prove guilt of the accused rather than a biopic on one of the world’s most prominent jazz singers, and this isn’t a bad thing. It is this rawness that makes ‘AMY’ a powerful film and an even harder film to watch. ‘AMY’ doesn’t hide anything and the visual evidence is overwhelming, from Winehouse’s weight loss, to her bruised and bloodied wounds, self-inflicted in the presence of her husband during an all night bender, to the images of Winehouse without makeup looking her most vulnerable. The stylization of ‘Montage’ eases you into Cobain’s untimely death, yet ‘AMY’ is in your face with the truth and ugliness of substance abuse – the essence of documentary filmmaking. As a viewer of this film, I couldn’t help but think that Amy was trapped in a life of a show pony. The longer I watched the film, the angrier I became. Who or what entity is profiteering from the receipts of this film? How and why did her family allow her to implode so quickly? Why was
such a powerful artist so fragile to the coercion of a select few? Cobain and Winehouse have similar stories, both experienced the incredible rise and fall of pure songwriters, they preferred to play in tiny clubs, both suffered addictions and mental ailments, and both presumably died by their own doing (Kurt with a gunshot wound to the head, and Amy through alcohol poisoning). But boy do these films differ in
context and feeling. ‘Montage of Heck’ did not conjure up the anger, guilt or frustration that ‘AMY’ incited. The loud scoffs in the theatre came from more than one direction as I sat and gasped at the proof this film presents that Amy could have been saved. She was more than just a drug addict and an alcoholic. While ‘Montage’ was a rock-doc full of visual and audio delight designed to remind us of the greatness of both Kurt Cobain and Nirvana, ‘AMY’ gave the viewer a sense of guilt and remorse for having potentially joked about her illnesses and fragility while she was still alive.
‘AMY’ is just as good as ‘Montage of Heck’ for the simple reason that it shows the fragility of the human soul no matter how powerful, gifted or talented that person may be. In the end, we are still made up of flesh, bone and emotion. These were the traits that made Amy Winehouse an amazingly talented musician, and they were also the traits that ultimately caused her demise. ‘AMY’ is the visual personification of Winehouse’s innermost feelings and emotions, and is an important film that should not be ignored. Overall Grade: 4 out of 5 stars
Local resident Jessica Berry completed an improbable challenge that saw her watch 365 films in 2013. The project inspired a monthly film review here in the Bloordale Times. Photo by Mutiara Samosir
T HE
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The Bloordale Times July 2015 05
Letters from your political representatives
COUNCILLOR ANA BAILÃO
416-392-7012
The Davenport Diamond is one of North America’s busiest at grade rail crossings where the Barrie GO Line and CP Rail Line intersect each other at the north end of Ward 18. The CP Rail Line carries freight
MP ANDREW CASH 416-654-8048
There is no question that we must build much more public transit in our city; transit that is affordable, clean and accessible. For too long however, our community has had to bear the brunt of transit expansion that runs right through our neighbourhoods that is neither clean, nor affordable or accessible to most of our residents. Which brings me to the Davenport Diamond “Super Bridge” proposal; the Liberals’ plan to elevate 2km of the GO Train line that runs parallel with Lansdowne, between Bloor and St. Clair. I have sat in on several community meetings on this proposal and what I hear continually is that community members are concerned. They are not happy with the fact that the decision to build the bridge in the first place was presented to them as a done deal. There is widespread concern over the lack of concrete commitments for community benefits such as new parks and greenspace, multimodal transportation connections or new community linkages, and the fact that no dollars have been guaranteed for creating any community benefits. Indeed, there are many questions being asked as to how such an imposing piece of infrastructure will impact on the community’s quality of life. My role in this issue is to advocate on behalf of our community, to ensure that its concerns are heard and that residents get the information they need about this project. Since we are being told we are going to live through years of construction, and then a lifetime of increased rail traffic, doesn’t our community deserves access to this train? We deserve to be able to access this train to go downtown, to the subway, north to the Eglinton Crosstown and beyond. Increased access to transit would be an incredibly important social and economic benefit for our community. Furthermore, in order to have any real discussion of what may be built un
trains and oil tanker cars. The Barrie GO Line carries passenger trains during the rush hour period. Metrolinx is proposing to build a three story rail bridge over this crossing in order to provide all day two way GO Train service on the Barrie GO Line as part of their Regional Express Rail plan. Since Metrolinx announced this project, I have shared the concerns of my neighbours regarding these plans and have advocated with them to Metrolinx for a solution that benefits our community. This project can end up being a really good project or a really bad project that will impact our community for the next hundred years. For this reason it is important to make sure that a thorough analysis and discussion of all the options
takes place. In April, I moved a motion that was passed at City Council that directed the City’s Chief Planner to ensure that land-use planning (including grade separation underground or above ground) and urban design considerations are a part of the EA process being carried out by Metrolinx. In early June, I personally raised some key issues with Metrolinx President & CEO Bruce McCuaig to consider including: - The rationale behind the initial decision to build a rail bridge; - That a new GO Station at Bloor and Lansdowne is a necessity for this project; and
tember, but in my view, there remains too many unknowns about how our community will benefit and on the decision to build a rail bridge. For those reasons I successfully moved a motion at the July City Council meeting to endorse a list of key issues from City staff, for Metrolinx to properly fund them, and to ask Metrolinx for a two to three months extension of their own timeline in order to provide for expert and community feedback. Some of our concerns include: - Vertical Alignment of the Barrie Corridor – Overpass vs. Trench - Bloor Street GO Rail Station at Lansdowne
- How much Metrolinx is going to contribute towards public realm improvements?
- Bloor and Dupont Grade Restoration – with Under and Over Options
Metrolinx is planning to move into the next stage of this project in Sep-
- Potential to connect Sterling Road to Lansdowne Avenue
der this bridge we have to know how much money the government will provide. We are happy to hear Metrolinx officials say that expanded GO service will not proceed until electrification is complete. Let’s see that in writing. Finally, nobody wants an ugly bridge. If the province is insistent on this project then we want to see the best looking bridge ever built. Our community is dominated by train tracks, many of which also host commercial freight operations in addition to public transit. Private railways that provide commercial shipping are regulated by the federal government. The bridge is being constructed to elevate GO Trains over the Canadian Pacific freight line. While decisions regarding this project rest largely with the provincial government, I have written to the federal Minister for Transportation as to the extent of the federal government’s involvement in this process. I have fought hard and continue to fight alongside my community for electrification of the UP Express and the GO Transit Barrie line. We have all worked tirelessly on these issues and it is only because of that collective work that electrification of the UP Express and a stop that connects directly to the subway line is being promised. Future victories will only come through active, public pressure. We need to change the way government works with our community. Ours is a wonderful place to live and work and we are excited to see our community thrive and grow. We want and need more public transit, but we want a transparent process. This isn’t just a political issue for me. I live here too. My family and I use public transit daily. My children breathe this air. I’m proud of the NDP’s commitment to be the reliable federal partner this city needs to build better transit. That’s why we’ve proposed close to $4 billion a year in stable, predictable long term funding for public transit and infrastructure. By continuing to work together we can build transit our community deserves and our city needs.
- Potential to grade separate Wallace Avenue - Ability to achieve enhanced park connections - Opportunities for a cycling connection with the Railpath and Extension - Potential need to update current Planning Studies - Impacts to existing and new development This project will greatly impact our community and therefore I hope that Metrolinx will accommodate my reasonable request. Let’s make sure that we achieve design excellence and ensure the best possible outcome for our community – together. To stay fully updated on this major issue, please visit my website at www.anabailao.com or contact my office.
MPP CRISTINA MARTINS 416-535-3158 The month of June marked so many significant achievements for community organizations in Davenport. I feel very privileged to represent a riding with such a strong and active volunteering culture. Volunteers are a crucial part of our community who work tirelessly and often do not receive the praise and recognition they certainly deserve. The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards are administered annually by the Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade to recognize individual volunteers for continuous years of commitment and dedicated service to an organization. This year, Ontario recognized and celebrated the contributions of more than 9000 volunteers at 54 ceremonies across the province between March and June. On June 18th, I was honoured to recognize 288 volunteers at one of Toronto’s Ontario Volunteer Service Awards ceremonies. I want to congratulate all of the recipients, especially the 106 volunteers from our great riding of Davenport. I’d like to take this opportunity to once again recognize the dedicated individuals who serve our community through the following fantastic organizations: Aangen Community Centre. Abrigo Centre, Alliance of Portuguese Clubs and Association of Ontario (ACAPO), Associação Cultural do Minho de Toronto., Associação Migrante De Barcelos Community Centre em Toronto, Casa Das Beiras Cultural Community Centre of Toronto, Casa dos Acores of Ontario, First Portuguese Canadian Cultural Centre, Grupo Folclórico Cantares e Bailares de São Miguel em Toronto, Rancho Folclorico estrelas do norte of Toronto Folclore Dance Group, Spadina Museum: Historic House & Gardens, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Tamil Co-operative Homes Inc., 13 Division - Toronto Police Service, and Transmontano Folklore Dance Group of Toronto. Without volunteers, the many programs, services and events that these organizations provide would simply not exist. Their effort inspires others to also give their time and skills. They are role models for a new generation of young volunteers. Our province is a better place because of their dedication and effort. Congratulations once again to all the recipients and please accept my sincerest best wishes. If you know an outstanding volunteer who is deserving of recognition, you can nominate them for next year’s ceremony by visiting the Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade’s website at www. citizenship.gov.on.ca, and using the keyword ‘VSA’. Best regards, Cristina
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Seniors Information & Active Living Fair Thursday, July 23rd, 2015 10:00am — 2:00pm
FREE EVENT
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LA Centre for Active Living 55 Rankin Crescent Toronto, ON, M6P 4E4 For more information call: 416-452-4530
SPEAKERS HEALTHY SNACKS
This event is hosted by LA Centre for Active Living in partnership with the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario (OACAO) and sponsored by the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat.
HAPPY CANADA DAY proud to be Canadian - here at NHT !
Valdemar Alves, CFP, FMA, RRC Financial Planner Investing and Retirement Planning 647-287-6816 valdemar.alves@rbc.com
I can help you plan for tomorrow – today. With more events planned than ever, we invite you to discover quality custom service and retirement care options. We invite you to book a personal tour and see for yourself what NHT has to offer in the heart of Bloordale Village.
Come Join the Action!
CALL 416-536-6111 TODAY 1140 Bloor Street West • NewHorizonsTower.com
Financial planning services and investment advice are provided by Royal Mutual Funds Inc. (RMFI). RMFI, RBC Global Asset Management Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, Royal Trust Corporation of Canada and The Royal Trust Company are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. RMFI is licensed as a financial services firm in the province of Quebec.
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BOB Bloordale Times 2015 V.3.qxp_Layout 1 2015-07-16 6:10 PM Page 1
CAR-FREE FUN! Bloor Street, from Dufferin to Lansdowne.
Car-free Bloordale, Bloor Street from Dufferin Street to Lansdowne Avenue, celebrates arts, culture, community and small business. Share our unique community and city-building festival featuring hundreds of events, activities and exhibitions including:
BIG Awards: Community Appreciation! BIG Market Place: More than 200 arts, crafts, and information tables! Card-Yard: Recycled materials animated by architecture, art and poetry! Celebrate Here: Main Stage performance! Joy/JOUEZ: Programs of play and pleasure! For all. PlayFair: Games for children and adults! Savour Bloor: In the stores, restaurants, patios, and the Bloordale Food Court! After Hours: Local Bloordale restaurants and bars!
SAVE THE DATE:
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1 PM TO 10 PM, SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, NOON TO 6 PM.
Get InvoLveD: Rent A tABLe, voLunteeR, PeRFoRM on StAGe, Be A SPonSoR! www.BIGonBLooRFeStIvAL.CoM Next PNNiNg MeiNgs, OPeN tO all: AuGu 5, 7:00 PM, new HoRIzonS, 1140 BLooR Re w For more information contact: Dougal Bichan, Festival Director, dougal@dougalco.com 416.645.0295 Kevin Putnum, Director of Publicity, putnam@sympatico.ca Dyan Marie, Creative Director, dyan@dyanmarie.com facebook.com/BigOnBloorFestival
#bigonbloorfest
www.bigonbloorfestival.com
sponsors: bradshawdesign
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647-961-4516
This page is a joint effort between the Bloordale Times and the Bloordale BIA to showcase local businesses.
The Bloordale Times July 2015 09
Health & Wellness
UNDERSTANDING THE LINK BETWEEN LOW BACK PAIN AND FEET BY SONYA HAMILTON
drhamilton@bloorwesthealthcentre.ca
Believe it or not, your feet can be a factor in the development of chronic low back pain. Your feet act as a very important foundation for your body, and can dictate how you adapt to stresses and changes in activity. Your feet strike the ground and propel you forwards, and faulty foot biomechanics can result in pain and dysfunction in other joints and structures in the body. If you think of your body as a kinetic chain from the ground up, your weightbearing feet and ankles function as shock absorbers for the whole body. If your feet are not working effectively at this job, the shock and stress makes its way up the biomechanical chain in your body. This concept often gets lost in translation, and people do not always understand the missing link between the feet and the back. The most common offending foot dysfunction leading to back pain and other
issues is over-pronation, or the inward rolling/dropping of the arches. As the foot over-pronates, the feet become flat and therefore absorb less shock when you walk or run. The rest of your body is then forced to compensate for faulty foot mechanics; your pelvis may slightly drop, your knees may rotate, and you may develop a slight lean. Over time, this adaptation may lead to the development of pain in other areas of the body such as in the back, neck, knees, hips, Achilles tendon, and plantar fascia. In one study, it was found that women with flat feet are almost 50% more likely to develop low back pain. When faulty foot mechanics are a factor in low back pain, one way to approach is to consider supporting your foot as you walk or run. When I see patients with chronic back or hip pain that are not responding to treatment and exercise recommendations, I often look to the feet as a possible solution. Using foot orthotics to support your feet can help you with foot pain, and they can change the way your whole body
moves and adapts. Orthotics have been shown to be beneficial for low back pain in a numerous studies on groups exposed to higher levels of foot stress (such as in runners, military recruits, and golfers). The idea behind using orthotics for back pain- as your feet are better supported, your body becomes more balanced as you stand and walk. Eliminating imbalances in your feet will cause a ripple effect up the biomechanical chain in your body. Studies show that people suffering from chronic or reoccurring low back pain tend to respond very well to custom orthotics within 6 weeks of wearing them. So if you have been suffering from low back pain which continues even after a course of conservative care/exercise, consider taking a look to your feet as another part of the puzzle. Dr. Sonya Hamilton is a local chiropractor with a special interest in helping others to regain control of their own physical wellness through education, exercise, and rehabilitation. She practices at Bloor
West Health Centre at Jane and Bloor, and Goodlife Meadowvale- you can learn more at www.drhamilton.ca.
Dr. Sonya Hamilton, Chiropractor.
OPINION FROM KUSHNIR: PROHIBITION; AN UNFORTUNATE LEGACY BY MICHAEL KUSHNIR
michael@ensemblesocial.ca
Something I have always loved about Toronto is its bustling bar scene, at least compared to Vancouver, my oft-sleepy hometown. I remember coming here in my late teens and sneaking into nightclubs to dance the night away with strangers. The LCBO, however, remains another story. It always seems that there is either never a location nearby, or that its hours are impractical. Enjoying a glass of wine at home can be sometimes harder than going out; in a lot of ways, we continue to live in a semi-prohibitionist society. Several months ago, the Province announced an overhaul of Ontario’s liquor distribution, with an eye to improving the consumer experience by allowing alcohol purchases at large grocery stores. I’m sure that for some people, it is more convenient to purchase beer and wine in the same establishment in which they buy their groceries. But let’s not forget that these large stores are often located in complexes where retail alcohol is readily available. Take the Galleria Mall – I’ve
done my groceries countless times at FreshCo, only to run to the LCBO a few metres away. This model is repeated in virtually every community in Ontario – especially in rural areas, where it is impractical to have anything less than a full shopping plaza at a major crossroads. What the Province has missed is the very definition of convenience. In Toronto alone, there are thousands of convenience stores, having set themselves up to look after the basic daily needs of the city’s residents. We trust these stores to sell tobacco (and to refrain from selling to minors), so why can’t we trust them one step further with the sale of beer and wine? Many have looked east to our neighbours in Québec, with their ubiquitous network of dépanneurs across the province, virtually all of whom sell beer and wine. Montréal goes one step further, and allows the genteel consumption of alcohol in parks with food. And somehow, society does not collapse. What gives? Though it can be easy to forget at times, Canada is a Nordic country, and virtually every nation with a northern projection has struggled with alcohol abuse.
Russia has been well-known for its heavy drinking culture which it has struggled to manage, whereas in Sweden and Finland, the state has maintained tight control of alcohol through staterun retailers and high prices. France, Italy and Spain are also well-known for their drinking cultures, though they are as different as they could be from our own. Liquor consumption revolves around social gatherings, often with children observing healthy drinking habits from a young age. The problem we have here is not availability of alcohol; if someone is keen to drink themselves into the gutter, they will find a way. The trouble is our drinking culture: we continue to celebrate binge drinking, which understandably makes policymakers nervous to increase availability. However treating alcohol as taboo – especially to our children – ensures that binge drinking will remain a part of our society. Toronto likes to call itself world-class, but its ambitions are often hobbled by Provincial policy. So here’s a heady thought: it is long overdue for our political leaders at Queen’s Park to re-
lax their control of liquor and to finally allow beer and wine to be sold in convenience stores, along with the responsible public con-
sumption of alcohol, not just for the benefit of us adults as consumers, but also for the benefit of the next generation.
Michael Kushnir is a community engagement specialist that calls WallaceEmerson home. As a matter of proactive disclosure, he wishes to mention that he works for an arms-length agency of the City of Toronto.
10 The Bloordale Times July 2015
Art Exhibitions
Daniel Faria Gallery
1
JUNE 11 - JULY 25, 2015 Iris Häussler: Ask the Frog
188 St Helens Avenue
12 3
x x
x
MAY 29 - AUGUST 01, 2015 Karen Kraven: Flip Flop, Punch Front Mercer Union is delighted to present a solo exhibition by Montreal-based artist Karen Kraven entitled Flip Flop, Punch Front opening on Friday 29th May 2015. Karen Kraven’s works set up unexpected encounters between sculptures and images, uncanny resemblances and misleading juxtapositions. Flip Flop, Punch Front continues Kraven’s interest in sport with an exploration of adornment, performance and conceptions of gender, class, race and nation state. The title of the exhibition refers to specific moves within gymnastics where action, stasis and the ability to push oneself manifests through composed performance. Focusing on excerpted elements of gesture, costume, decorated nails and leotards, and unbridled conviction, Kraven gathers bodily forms and images prompting the question of what is missing from the action.
In German-born, Toronto-based artist Iris Häussler’s new solo exhibition Ask the Frog, the domestic becomes physically suspended in space and time, and overlooked elements shift between everyday life and poetic forms. Rather than weaving a narrative or becoming the vessel for artists such as Joseph Wagenbach, Ellen Stanley or Mary O’Shea (some of Häussler’s most wellknown heteronyms), Häussler’s recently completed objects are a reflection of her conceptual experimentation with wax, prosaic remnants and space. This new body of work is abstract, yet familiar. In Häussler’s’ previous exhibition with the gallery, articles of women’s clothing, both cherished or abandoned, were encased in wax slabs that were framed and placed on the wall. The artist’s new wax sculptures combine curtains, bed sheets and blankets that Häussler has collected over the last thirty years. They bear the traces of the many lives that have inhabited them. Set into wax slabs, these mundane surfaces lose their utilitarian function, but
gain a lyrical dimension, becoming useful as metaphors for assurance, withdrawal and protection. Häussler heightens the feeling of domesticity and memory in the way that the fabrics, unlike the previous works, slip out and drape over the wax slabs, as if the viewer is encountering an unmade bed, or a washing machine that is spilling its load. These new sculptures are messy and lived in, as disorderly as they are graceful. Häussler pushes the possibility of her wax forms by setting them off the wall, allowing them to fully inhabit the gallery space and be observed from various viewpoints. A few of Häussler’s wax objects are dominated by the collected materials. Häussler extends these superfluous materials to the gallery’s rafters where the sculptures become suspended and outstretched. For the most part, the wax in these suspended works hovers just above the ground. Placed throughout the gallery, the sculptures simulate architectural columns, forming an abstract path within the space. Viewers are invited to meander and to pause.
LOOP GALLERY
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1273 Dundas Street West
JULY 18 – AUGUST 09, 2015 loop Gallery is pleased to present Chinoiserie, a new exhibition by guest artist, JJ Lee. chi·noi·se·rie - noun (shēn-wäz-rē)a decorative style of Western art based on imitations of Chinese motifs especially popular in 18th century Europe This body of work is based on blue and white china patterns such as “Blue Willow” that depict an imagined Chinese scene. The increased importation of authentic blue and white porcelain from China in the 1700’s into Europe spawned a fervour for anything “oriental” and a longing for
anything “exotic”. As a result, fantastical versions of the original pottery were created by Europeans of an imagined China. With round canvasses alluding to plates, Lee explores the “chop suey” culture that is created when East meets West through migration. JJ Lee’s (BFA, NSCAD ‘92, MFA, York University ‘99) mixed media paintings explore the intersection of Chinese and Canadian cultures by appropriating images from a variety of sources. She has exhibited extensively across Canada and has been featured in The Globe and Mail.
MERCER UNION
1286 BLOOR Street West
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The Bloordale Times July 2015 11
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