A Nuit to remember

STORY BY JAIME POLMATEER
PHOTO BY JAIME POLMATEER

Thousands moved up and down the sidewalks in droves while they viewed exhibits, dodged break-dancers and appreciated modern art in all its forms.

“This is my second year coming out,” said Chris Donison of Brampton. “I like seeing all the people and all the art stuff. It’s really different.”

Art exhibits and installations were set up on the roads, sidewalks, back alleys and pretty much anywhere else that received foot traffic.

One project, Clothesline Canopy, was set up near the Eaton Centre. Five thousand pairs of socks were hung up above the street to represent the number of homeless people in Toronto. “It was inspired by an initiative of Project 417 which had people handing out lunches and new socks to people without adequate housing in Toronto,” said Tara Gaskin, one of the artists who helped organize Clothesline Canopy. “The recipients were so grateful to have clean socks, something we often take for granted.”

Attendees could also enter the Bell Trinity Square building and see Pascale Marthine Tayou’s Plastic Bags, 2001-2011, made from thousands of plastic bags suspended from the ceiling by nets. The project was meant to be symbolic of contemporary man.

The level of involvement that went into the exhibits made apparent how much time and work it took to bring them to life.

“I worked on it for a year, not solidly but consistently, then flat out once we got access to the site,” said artist Libby Hague, referring to her interactive installation Monster Child. “Then the installation time is physically brutal. You have to work without stopping for food, rest or the bathroom.”

PHOTO BY AUBREY JAX

The exhibits were numerous and spread out which made it nearly impossible to see everything in one night.

Near University Ave. and Armory St., groups of people stood around John Dickson’s kinetic sound sculpture titled Music Box, watching and listening to the strange robotic multi-instrument. The sculpture was made from a guitar, horns and drum pieces. The whole unit ran on a central motor.

The event ended in rain but the weather didn’t seem to dampen people’s enjoyment of this year’s event.

“I like how it attracts the youth downtown,” said Toronto resident Khatera Omarkhail, standing beneath her umbrella. “I’m definitely coming back next year.”