“The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century” is now showing at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). It features 90 works by more than 60 artists. Some of them are shown here….
below: Portrait of a day when 103 of members of the Toronto Hip Hop community got together in one place, August 2024. The photo was taken on the steps of the Liberty Grand at Exhibition Place by photographer Patrick Nichols.
This exhibit has also been seen in Baltimore and St. Louis.
“Placing fashion, consumer marketing, music, videos and objects in dialogue with paintings, sculpture, poetry, photography and multi-media installations, the exhibition considers activism and racial identity, notions of bling and swagger, as well as gender, sexuality and feminism.”
below: Painting by Zeh Palito,a Brazilian artist who seems to like pink. Title: “It was all a Dream”.
below: Cardi B., aka Belcalis Marlenis Cephus, with unity on her arm by Hassan Hajjaj. She is considered one of contemporary music’s top female artists.
below: “Live Culture Force 1’s”, 2022, by Aaron Fowler. They are gigantic Nike Air Force 1 sneakers that have been made out of car parts. Contemporary art seems to like big things – Once upon a time back in 1960s there was a giant hamburger on display at the AGO. I wonder if the creator of that hamburger, Claes Oldenburg, realized what he started (and whatever happened to it anyhow?). Tangent alert – The AGO purchased the hamburger in 1967 for $2000.
below: “Swamp Boy” by Amani Lewis
below: “Real Negus Don’t Die” by Fahamu Pecou. Reflects on the idea that death can’t stop us and perhaps touches on the idea that immortality comes through remembrance.
below: “The Minister of Enterprise” by Kudzanai Chiurai. Oversized shades indoors, a big cigar, and some bling. Add some swagger.
below: I made a mistake with this room. I initially thought, what a waste, a whole room for a red puffy jacket. Turns it, it’s a godsend for instagram ready selfies. Lots of room, mirrors behind the jacket, and presto… many, many pictures on Instagram and TikTok. I should have taken the time to wait for people to get in my way!
below: “Louis Uluru”, 2009, by Luis Gispert. Looking at Uluru (formerly Ayers Rock, in Australia), from the comfort of a very well-appointed car.
below: Hanging from the ceiling, a collection of one glittery pair of Adidas sneakers and many brown work boots, some sparkly with glitter and some not. Bejewelled kicks. “Cloud Break”, a sculpture by Devan Shimoyama
Exhibit continues until April 2025.
as I walk Toronto 