Exhibit: Enter the Mystical Realm of PARDES!

Koffler Gallery's PARDES Exhibition Review

Last week I visited the Koffler Gallery at Artscape Youngplace in Toronto's westend to enjoy their latest exhibit PARDES. Their previous exhibition Penelope Stewart: Vanitas was one of the most unique exhibits I've seen in a while, so I was excited to see what PARDES had to offer.

Ophan, 2014 by Nadav Assor

PARDES brings together four Israeli sound and multimedia based artists "to investigate notions of mysticism, heresy, and the occult from secular perspectives, as they relate to contemporary society." 

Screen Capture of A Thousand Years, 2014 by Ira Eduardovna

PARDES which means 'orchard' in Hebrew, also explores themes of gender ideology, military technology, and marginalized voices. The four artists featured are Nadav Assor, Amnon Wolman, Ira Eduardovna, and Nevet Yitzhak.

Screen Capture of A Great Jot Tonight, 2009 by Nevet Yitzhak

SoundTallit, 2014 by Amnon Wolman

When I first entered the exhibit, I was a little overwhelmed by the different sounds of the various art pieces. But after a short time, all the different sounds seem to come together to become their own voice. Each of the five works were amazing and beautiful to both the eyes and ears. From viewing a video of a chorus singing about the Apocalypse, set against the backdrop of a sitcom; to watching a drone singing the first Chapter from The Book of Ezekiel, as it rises in the air like a modern day angel, this exhibit is definitely one that all art lovers will have to see (and hear). PARDES runs until November 30, 2014.

Artscape Youngplace 3rd Floor Hallway: New Drawings, 2014 by Britt Randle

Artscape Youngplace  South Stairwell: :O) by Ginette Lapalme

P.s!: Artscape Youngplace is fast becoming one of my favourite places to visit. A great place to grab a cup of coffee in their cafe and enjoy the cool art exhibits hanging in the hallways and the beautifully artist decorated stairwells. I love to just wander the halls and see the ever changing displays of creative art. And not only is the Koffler Gallery free to enjoy, but the whole building!

P.s,

Melanie!