This past Thursday I attended the media launch for the new hotel & residence being launched in this beautiful city…BISHA.
Bisha is the newest private-label hotel and residences brand to originate in Toronto since the Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts was introduced in the 1960s. Developed by masterminds Sam Herzog and Mel Pearl of Lifetime Developments and trend-setter Charles Khabouth of INK Entertainment.
I arrived at the Bisha sales office for the launch to hear sweet soulful Jazz music playing outside .. and then I look up to see this!
(How amazing?!)
Pure decadence, art, luxury and carefully crafted design are all perfect words to describe what Bisha is and what we will see in the upcoming three years until completion date, (expected occupancy date: April 10th, 2014). Amazing features such as a 24hr café and bar, world class dining, state-of-the-art fitness centre on the 40th floor and a variety of personal services, such as a high-end salon, pet walking, dry cleaning and grocery delivery! From the “Camille” Studio to the “Jaclyn” 3 Bedroom, there is definitely space for everyone at Bisha.
After walking around in awe for about 40 minutes, I met some new friends!
I noticed a new store on Queen today. It’s a Roots x Douglas Coupland pop-up shop!
Pic from thecdaily.com
I really like the collabo. It takes the heritage of Roots and turns it on it’s head, infusing it with ‘pop art’ references, loud colours and graphic prints. This is something Canadian novelist and artist, Douglas Coupland is known for. His forward thinking and creativity are the reason he has published 13 novels, seven non-fiction books, designed art and clothing, and has written screenplays for film and television. I’m getting tired just thinking about all of it!!
Roots x Douglas Coupland Pop-Up Shop is located at 680 Queen St. West.
Read on to see more artwork from Douglas Coupland.
Toronto Park
Hey Warhol, move over!
Big Bang, Shops at Don Mills
Hey Coco, the fallen soldier all makes sense now! Ha! (inside blonde joke moment lol)
I love Roots for expanding their style and trying something new with an amazing artist like Douglas Coupland.
For more info on Mr. Coupland check out his website www.coupland.com
I went to check out the EXPOSED exhibit at The Gladstone Hotel and was totally entranced. A collaborative show in which all of the photographers are trying to answer the question “How does an image colonize perception?”
The exhibition takes over the second floor and visitors are encouraged to explore the different rooms and experience each artists interpretation of the question.
Here are some of my favorites:
Genevieve Thauvette
Genevieve explores how the lives of the famed Dionne Quintuplets were formed and commodified by the oppressive media presence.
Genevieve Caron:
I was at a loss for words when I saw these pics in real life and now all I can say is exceptional.
Genevieve Blais – Hollow A Self Portrait of Madness
Blais explores her struggle with the disease of Anorexia through a series of self portraits.
Katia Houde:
“and we created them in our own image”
Houde uses these pictures to ask the question “How far are we willing to go to make pets, and by extension nature, into an image of ourselves?”
The above pictures are just a taste of the exceptional collection of photography that is being displayed at EXPOSED. I highly recommend going to The Gladstone Hotel to take it all in. This particular exhibition is only on until the 19th so don’t sleep!
Friday night, Hermann & Audrey, a collection of photographers, image & brand strategists and directors, launched their exhibit for the Scotiabanks CONTACT Photography Festival.
I loved how this exhibit took you on a journey through The Baitshop’s two-level maze of stimulus by mixing traditional art with technology and engaging the viewer with interactive instillations that you could actually take part in!
Mixing photography and graphic design, the merge of two different women creates a butterfly.
See these eyes?
They’re mine — If only we could see through a man’s viewpoint in real life!
This collabo is between photographer Steve Carty who specializes in urban portraiture and renowned graffiti artist, Skam. Together they created a new form of graffiti art using a slow shutter technique Carty has been perfecting for 5 years. Check out this video on how they created shots like the one above.
Hermann & Audrey will be on display for the entire month of May at The Baitshop which is located at 358 Dufferin St., Suite 117.
THIS THURSDAY, MAY 13TH – They will be doing a live art-making activity with anyone who wants to take part. Together, the community will make a large-scale art-piece as well as a discussion about art and commerce. To get involved CLICK HERE.
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