Like every summer, the end of August means that it’s time for the Canadian National Exhibition, the CNE. For two weeks the Exhibition grounds come alive with games, rides, food, exhibits, concerts, and other events. Here are some photos from opening day last Friday.
From now until early September, there are two outdoor art installations at the Aga Khan Museum. First, “Muqarnas, Form and Light” is a photography exhibit in Aga Khan Park that showcases the images of muqarnas taken by Glenn McArthur.
Muqarnas are three dimensional details found in Islamic architecture especially in mosques and madrassas (schools). They are usually found incorporated into the top of vaulted structures such as domes and doorways. Often they look like honeycombs. They can be made of many different materials such as stone, stucco, and plaster.
below: From the Abd Al-Aziz Khan Madrassa in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, is this painted plaster muqarna. The blue and gold representing the sky is at the top.
below: And a closer look at the painted details. It was originally built in 1652 and then restored in 1993.
below: A carved stone muqarna covers a portal in the Al Rifa-i Mosque in Cairo, Egypt, built in 1912.
below: Decorated in dark blues and gold, this muqarna is found in the funerary complex commission by Çoban Mustafa Pasa, the vizier and son-in-law of Ottoman Sultan Selim 1 who reigned 1512 to 1520. It is in Gebze Turkey.
below: Stucco muqarnas arches in the Court of the Lions at Alhambra Palace, Grenada Spain, late 14th century.
below: Close up look at part of a wooden muqarna from the Cappella Palantina (Palatine Chapel) in Palermo, Sicily (Italy). Although it was commissioned by a Christian monarch, Roger II of Sicily (reigned 1130-1154), it includes Byzantine and Islamic elements. Roger II was also a Norman but during his reign Sicily was very multicultural. It is a rare example of a muqarna in a non-Islamic building and is the oldest surviving wood muqarna.
More of McArthur’s muqarna images can be seen on his Instagram page – mcmuqarnas
Also outside, but on the other side of the museum is another art installation.
This one is the work of Tracey-May Chambers and it is constructed with red wool, silk, and cotton yarn. It consists of a circle made of connected knit and crocheted circles and within that circle there is a butterfly waiting to emerge.
It is one of 100 installations that Chambers is doing across the country for Hope And Healing Canada. The red yard connects the elements and is a reminder that we are all connected too.
Both the “Light and Form” exhibit and Chambers’ crochet installation will remain until 7 September 2025.
“Phase in my Journey” is the title of an exhibit of the wonderful black and white photography of Walter Borchenko. The photos span 20 years of his craft including his work with filters, with infrared photography, and with minimal digital manipulation.
below: Grassy Brook, Talbot River Road, Kawartha Lakes Ontario
below: Look Left cross walk, Birmingham England
below: Wet tables, Las Ramblas, Barcelona
below: One of the reflecting pools at the Aga Khan Museum.
below: On the left, Leather Jacket, New York City. On the right, an intentionally out of focus city scene – a little disorienting, full of motion and uncertainty.
All of the images are printed on hand-made Awagami Japanese paper.
below: Hong Kong ferry terminal
below: New York New York casino in Las Vegas in the foreground.
below: The larger picture on the left is the Airport Long Distance Train Station in Frankfort Germany. On the right, is an older house in Port Royal, South Carolina.
below: Not a Borchenko photo! The exhibit is being held at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Center. Outside, they have the oldest Sakura tree that I have ever seen. It has large, dense, gorgeous blossoms!
Exhibit closes 30th June
I went to College Park in search of a CONTACT Photography Festival exhibit. To me, College Park has always been a place where people pass through on their way to somewhere else. If they linger it’s to grab a bite to eat from the food court or from the grocery store.
I’ve never spent much time looking around inside so I wandered around a bit. I couldn’t find any space/place where there might be a photo exhibit.
I found a small group of paintings by Divyani Chandorkar in a small, out of the way corner by an elevator. Interesting, but not what I was after.
After a chat with a security guard and a little more walking around, I discovered that the photos were being displayed outside! They are in a public space immediately south of the College Park building- between the College Park and Aura buildings. Here, they become part of the environment.
.
Photo by Hikari Creatives (aka Winson Sun) who specialize in wedding and engagement photos.
.
by Sunny Chan
The exhibit is presented by the Downtown Yonge BIA and Aden Camera.
by Nim Mendoza
.
.
by Aidan Samuels
.
by Nim Mendoza
.
This large bunny and butterfly were there too!
Other photographers involved in the show: Rob Burns, Maryn Western, and Eden Schwinghamer.
For the month of May, “Time Capsule”, a series of abstract images by French artist Laure Tiberghien is hanging on the walls of Davisville subway station.
Tiberghien doesn’t use a camera to produce the images. Instead, she creates them by exposing light sensitive paper to different natural and artificial lights. Further processing is then required.
Dark colours behind glass make a mirror and these images are no exception.
The images have been inserted into the newer display cases that the TTC now use for advertisements. On the left of each case is TTC information.
This past week there were some intriguing posters on a few utility poles around the St. George campus of U of T, all to promote this year’s Philosothon. This is/was a two day event (April 26 & 27) to promote critical thinking as well as creative thinking.
below: “What wisdom hides in what you’ve allowed yourself to forget?”
below: “Where does you body truly end?”
below: top: “What worlds exist in your peripheral vision?” bottom: “What have your eyes forgotten to see without help?”
below: “When did patience stop feeling like a virtue?”
below: top: Where in your body do you feel time passing? bottom: “When was the last time you felt truly irreplaceable?”
As summer slowly winds down and August suddenly becomes September…..
Canadian National Exhibition, CNE: version 2024
Other CNE posts (if you’re not overwhelmed already!)
1. Around and around we go (2022)
2. Into the night (2014)
3. Afternoon at the Ex (2022)
4. CNE (2013)
This is a blog post full of people shots from Sunday of Pride week-end. Some taken during Church Street festivities and some along the parade route. There are posed shots, selfies, and a few candids. To me, Pride is about the people – the diversity of the crowd, the non-judgemental ‘come as you want’ attitude. Put on your party hats and join the celebration.
Another June, another Dyke March!
Dykes on Bikes led the parade as usual.
below: Olivia Chow walks in the parade along with a Phenomenal Gaysian!
It’s May 1st, the start of May and the start of CONTACT Photography Festival. It’s a chance to see what other people are doing with photography besides what is posted online on sites like flickr or Instagram. Some of the work will be great and you may get inspired. I am sure that there will also be images that you dislike. But that’s art. That’s why create.
Events like CONTACT that are spread all over the city also give you the excuse to try someplace new as well. For instance, today I was back in Scarborough.
below: Bellamy Road, looking north from just above Ellesmere
below: Hiding in the back of a multi-unit building was the home of Next Generation Arts.
The front looked abandoned. But look for the unexpected.
below: Ghost sign on window. “Denture”? an arrow pointing left, and a phone number?
With apologies for the less than stellar quality of the photos…. The show in their gallery features work that was produced as a result of their ‘PS Scarborough’ program for youth and seniors.
below: Something has caught their attention…..
below: I am afraid that I have inserted myself into the image. Sigh. The downside of glass in front of photos. It is an interesting photo of a woman on the subway, looking through windows with reflections.
below: Now an historic photo! An evening shot of the Scarborough RT, no longer with us, with more reflections.
Have fun exploring! You never know what will catch your eye! Seen behind the building with the gallery as I wandered around. Lost? Thrown away? Stolen and abandoned?
And enjoy all that May has to offer.
Artists whose work is shown at the gallery:
Ruby Chan
Nithursan Elamuhilan
Leeza Gheerawo
Patricia Guyader
Noor Hamadi
Anudev Kumarri
Samantha Lu
Casey Lun
Anne Ng
Dhiviya Prabaharan
Shammah Salwa
Michelle Tan
as I walk Toronto 