Exhibit: Reliving Toronto's Turbulent Art Scene!

AGYU's Is Toronto Burning Exhibition Review

Over the weekend I made the long treacherous journey on the TTC to the Art Gallery of York University (AGYU), located on York University's campus. The reason for this journey was to see the AGYU's newest exhibit Is Toronto Burning? Was it worth the almost 90 minute commute (one way)? I'm still not sure.

Trying to find the AGYU was a little difficult. Once I got off the TTC bus at York University Commons, I asked four different York University students where the art gallery was. None of them knew. I took this as not a good sign. There were also no clear directional signs. I finally found it in the Accolade East building across from the bus stop, at the end of the hall on the left.

 

 

Is Toronto Burning? takes you on a journey of Toronto's art scene of the turbulent late 1970's. Through video clips, photos, and newspaper and magazine clippings, I learned about the trail blazing artists that not only pushed the lines of traditional art, but political lines as well.

 

 

 

The exhibit consisted of eight different rooms that would've taken me hours to read all the articles and watch all the videos in full. This exhibit was made for art historians and students. Although I appreciated the message and enjoyed some of the art, it was information overload! But some pretty cool artists are featured like Susan Britton, David Bachan, and Carol Conde.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I didn't really love this exhibit, I'm more of an appreciator of visual and sound art, plus the journey to the AGYU was extremely long for me. I do have a better understanding of how Toronto' art community has evolved thanks to the trailblazers featured in Is Toronto Burning?  I also didn't have the hours of time it would've taken me to go through the most interesting part: the newspaper and magazine clippings. Is Toronto Burning? is running until December 7, 2014. Please visit AGYU for more information.

P.s!: This exhibit is free and open to the public. It is also open late on Wednesday nights!

P.s,

Melanie!