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FOCUS ASIA was curated by managing editor of Yishu Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art, Zheng Shengtian and independent curator, Katherine Don. The two selected 14 galleries to participate culling from India, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and more. Greeting visitors at the foot of the stairs was Rirkrit Tiravanija’s Untitled 2008-2011 (the map of the land of feeling). Tiravanija, by now widely known as the forerunner of relational aesthetics, usually creates ephemeral, participatory pieces with larger social and political aims. So it was surprise to see the artist create a monumental 84 ft long paper work made of single sheets of paper butted up end to end. |
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Rirkrit Tiravanija, Untitled, 2008-2011 (the map of the land of feeling)
Art Toronto, now in its 13th year appears like as a fair to watch. The fair was held at the Metro Convention Center Oct 26-29. In keeping with past fairs, the opening night preview was filled with mostly Canadian galleries sprinkled with a few U.K. Latin American and U.S. spaces. Yet this year, Toronto’s scene stepped up its game with FOCUS ASIA.
FOCUS ASIA was curated by managing editor of Yishu Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art, Zheng Shengtian and independent curator, Katherine Don. The two selected 14 galleries to participate culling from India, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and more. Greeting visitors at the foot of the stairs was Rirkrit Tiravanija’s Untitled, 2008-2011 (the map of the land of feeling). Tiravanija, by now widely known as the forerunner of relational aesthetics, usually creates ephemeral, participatory pieces with larger social and political aims. So it was surprise to see the artist create a monumental 84 ft long paper work made of single sheets of paper butted up end to end. This autobiographical work traces the artist’s various life journeys pictured in inkjet prints, offset lithography and silk screens. FOCUS ASIA was both a success critically and financially.
Jennie Biltek of Art Toronto stated “we were particularly excited this year about Focus Asia. We had a great response from galleries who specialize in contemporary Asian. Collectors and visitors to the fair have also told us how excited they were about seeing work from this part of the world. Gallery Sumukha from India sold work to the Royal Ontario Museum, while MA2 gallery from Japan sold virtually all of the work by Ken Matsubara.”
The rest of the fair staged several galleries that appeared local, provincial and tame. Scattered about were some nice gems that made it all worth it. Portugal’s Cordeiros Galeria featured a large Julian Schnabel entitled Calo (1988) among other Neo-Expressionist selections. Moore Gallery LTD had its eye on the playful abstraction of Michael Adamson. His straight from the tube aesthetic created for some delightful patterns. And Angelll Gallery featured their pride and joy, Kim Dorland. Dorland’s romantic meets grotesque work does not disappoint. His painting has become all too familiar now, yet feels entirely at home in Canada’s landscape, with groups of artists whose work centers on youth culture and hallucinatory landscapes. The most significant pieces were at ESP gallery, who had a thoughtful and serious display of abstraction. Erin Stump the gallery manager is young, ambitious and has her pulse on a NY aesthetic.
Maya Hayuk, Untitled, 2011. Mural, 6 x 20ft.
During my stay in Canada, I had the pleasure to meet with people from The Drake and Gladstone Hotels. These two art hotels reside on Queen St with nearby galleries, coffee shops and cultural curiosities. The Drakes’ luxury meets cool aesthetics was punctuated by the carefully curated selection of work by Mia Nielsen, including a Maya Hayuk LED painting installation across from the rooftop bar and an Evan Penny at the top of the lounge stairs. Down the block is The Gladstone. The Gladstone’s art collection focuses a bit more on the unique, funky and local. Yet they have the advantage of each floor having a gallery with paintings carefully hung on the surrounding walls.
Evan Penny, Back of Kelly (V.2), 2005, Silicone, Pigment, Hair, Fabric and Aluminum, 33 x 24.5 x 6in. Courtesy of the Drake Hotel.
Mia Nielsen on The Drake comments “the collection is grounded in contemporary Canadian art with works by Ken Lum, Evan Penny and Bruce LaBruce. As a hotel we welcome guests from around the world, so it’s important to create an international context for the collection with works by American and international artists including Maya Hayuk, Icelandic Love Corporation and Aakash Nihalani.”
In its 13th year, Art Toronto, and the city in general too, seem to be announcing itself as an art capital to watch.
