Exhibit: Transforming Art!

Gladstone Hotel's Hard Twist 11: Spin Exhibition Review

My life's path has morphed and transformed to something new and has taken a spin in a totally different direction then I originally planned. So I felt a strong affinity for Gladstone's Hotel newest textile art exhibition aptly named Hard Twist 11: Spin. Now in it's 11th installment, Hard Twist is one of my favourite annual exhibitions at Gladstone Hotel (I have written reviews for Hard Twist 8, Hard Twist 9 and Hard Twist 10).

Hairdress by Annabel Berthoff

One of the Gladstone Hotel's signature events, Hard Twist displays textile art, in its many forms, from a variety of established and up-and-coming artists, each with their own interpretation each year's theme. Spin is this years theme: "to spin is to transform. Whether it’s turning a fleece into yarn for a cozy sweater or rotating a dubious fact through angles of truth, spinning changes what you started with into something very different."

Exhibits: That's So Gay & 10x10 Photography Project Returns To Gladstone Hotel!

That's So Gay: Come Together & 10x10 Photography Project Exhibition Review

Gladstone Hotel once again hosts their two annual LGBTQ themed art exhibitions - That's So Gay and 10x10 Photography Project, which run throughout Pride Toronto celebrations. And once again, both exhibits have impressed me with their unique and beautiful artwork.

10x10 Photography Project: Taken by Richard Rhyme

Every year, That's So Gay "explores themes around sexuality, gender and identity as they intersect with experiences of race, disability, class and multiple identities". This year's theme 'Come Together' refers to many things: the multiple atrocities against the LGBTTI2QQ communities, the rise of activism, and the need for artists to creatively band together and help further the engagement and activism.

Exhibit: Getting Wild at Gladstone Hotel!

Gladstone Hotel's Urban Wild Exhibition Review

I love the Gladstone Hotel. I've never actually stayed there overnight, but I am constantly visiting their amazing art exhibitions and fabulous events. A few weeks ago, I visited the Gladstone Hotel to see the Tim Burton Group Show Tribute in the 2nd Floor Gallery. While I was there, I also got the chance to see the Urban Wild exhibit in the 4th Floor Gallery.

It is always great to wander the halls of the Gladstone and enjoy some amazing, and usually free, art.

Exhibit: My Tim Burton Fix!

Gladstone Hotel's Tim Burton Group Show Tribute Exhibition Review

Like many, I tend to feel my regular daily routine is a little static after an amazing trip. I have been feeling a little lack-lustre since I got back from South America over a month ago. And when I get like this, a Tim Burton movie marathon can be the only cure. The fantastical films are so amazing that they can add a little pep in my step after watching them. But instead of wasting away in front of the T.V. on Sunday, I braved the cold weather and made my way to The Gladstone Hotel to get my Tim Burton fix at the free Tim Burton: A Group Show Tribute exhibition.

Edward & Kim by Marion Manzo

And my world feels complete once again.

Exhibit: Lucky 13 for CUTMR!

Gladstone Hotel's Come Up To My Room 2016 Art & Design Event Review

Last night I was thrilled to attend Gladstone Hotel's Come Up To My Room (CUTMR) media opening reception. CUTMR is one of my favourite annual art exhibition events at one of my favourite places in Toronto.

Life Moves Fast (Ferris Bueller's Bedroom) by The Racket Club

I'm always excited to see the new and unique ways artists and designers have transformed the Gladstone Hotel's rooms, hallways and open spaces. And I certainly wasn't disappointed this year.

Exhibit: Making Memories at Gladstone Hotel's Hard Twist!

Gladstone Hotel's Hard Twist 10: Memory Exhibition Review

Over the weekend, I took my almost three year-old nephew to his first art show - The Hard Twist: Memory exhibition at Gladstone Hotel. I figured a textile exhibit at the cool Gladstone Hotel was safer choice than a pristine gallery full of breakable pieces for his first introduction to the art world. And both my nephew and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

I always enjoy the Hard Twist exhibitions. Hard Twist 8 and Hard Twist 9 are two of my favourite exhibits from last year. And it has become an important annual event within the Canadian Textile Art community and a Gladstone Hotel signature event.

Exhibit: Pride Aplenty at Gladstone Hotel!

That's So Gay & 10X10 Photography Project Exhibition Reviews

For the past several years, the Gladstone Hotel plays host to two LGBTQ centered art exhibits that run throughout the summer months and the Toronto Pride celebrations.

Unsettling: Queer Propaganda by Pablo Munoz

That's So Gay: Fall To Pieces and the 10X10 Photography Project are the two exhibitions and I visited both a few weeks ago.

Exhibit: Two Unique & Very Canadian CONTACT Exhibits at Gladstone Hotel!

Gladstone Hotel's Two Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival Exhibits Review

May has been such a busy month for me. Between work and family, trying to visit as many Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival exhibits has been quite a challenge this year. I loved the three exhibits at MOCCA so much that I decided to walk the ten minutes west on Queen Street, to take in the two exhibits at Gladstone Hotel.

Bright Lights Dark City: Crumbling Land by Sylvain Chaussee

Exhibit: Gladstone Hotel's Grow Op!

Gladstone Hotel's Grow Op 2015 Exhibition Review

With the weather getting warmer (the last few days are the exception here in Ontario), Torontonians are getting outside more and enjoying the public open spaces (Trinity Bellwoods Park was packed last weekend)! And to celebrate the start to the outdoor season, Gladstone Hotel hosts its third annual Grow Op art and landscape exhibition.

Wild Crate Farm by Deena Delzotto and Rachel Kimel / Bowery Project

This multidisciplinary exhibit examines natural and built environments and encourages an array of dialogue surrounding landscape and place.

Exhibit: Gladstone Hotel Gets A Makeover, Again!

Gladstone Hotel's CUTMR 2015 Art &Design Event Review

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting Gladstone Hotel's annual alternative design event Come Up To My Room 2015 (CUTMR 2015), which runs in conjunction with the Toronto Design Offsite Festival (TODO) and the Interior Design Show (IDS).

Look Into My Room by Bruno Billio

Now in its 12th year, CUTMR 2015 has become one of Toronto's premiere design events boasting over 4000 attendees and 140-character-inspiring-works of creativity.

Exhibit: Textiles & Technology Get Twisted!

Gladstone Hotel's Hard Twist 9 Exhibition Review

A few weeks ago I visited the Gladstone Hotel to check out the Hard Twist 9 - Fibre Optics exhibit. This interesting textile exhibition examined the partnership of textiles and technology on how textiles and computer technology connect and touch each other.

Knitted Swatch by Greta Grip

Hard Twist is a community event that showcases work, both large and small, from a variety of participants, from well established artists to students.

Exhibit: Celebrating One of the Coolest Places in the World!

Art & Cultural Exhibition at the Gladstone Hotel

Vouge Magazine recently proclaimed West Queen West in Toronto as the Second Coolest Neighbourhood in the World. And one their reasons is the Gladstone Hotel. Come find out how the Gladstone has become such a cool and hip place in one of its newest exhibits, 125/THEN/ NOW/NEXT, a fabulous celebration of the rich cultural and architectural history of Toronto's oldest continually operating hotel.

125/THEN/NOW/NEXT is a three stage exhibition celebrating the 125th birthday of the historic (and one of my favourite places) Gladstone Hotel. The THEN portion consists of cool historical photographs and interesting artifacts sharing stories and chronicling the diverse past of the Gladstone Hotel.

Exhibit: Introducing That's So Gay + 10x10 Photography Project!

Two Toronto Art + Culture Exhibition Reviews

The Gladstone Hotel in Toronto is becoming well known for presenting free art exhibits that are open to the public like their two recent CONTACT Photography Festival Exhibitions. Last week I visited the Gladstone Hotel on Queen Street West to enjoy their two latest exhibitions: That's So Gay: On The Edge and 10x10 Photography Project that are running during Toronto's World Pride Celebrations.

L: language is the answer to culture R: a quick lesson in objiwei grammar by Daryl James Bucar

Exhibit: CONTACT Celebrates Hip Hop + Broken Horizons!

Gladstone Hotel's 2 CONTACT Exhibitions Review

I have been enjoying visiting the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival exhibits across Toronto. My next few Exhibit Posts will be about the many CONTACT exhibits I visit, that will hopefully help you chose which ones you might enjoy. You can read my last CONTACT Exhibit Post here. Last week, I visited the Gladstone Hotel to view the two CONTACT photography exhibits they have on display among their hotel rooms and offices. The difference between each exhibition was quite extreme and delightful.

k-os by Che Kothari

Exhibit: Exploring The Twisting World of Textile Art!

Gladstone Hotel's Hard Twist 8 Exhibition Review

A few weeks ago I visited The Gladstone Hotel for their annual Come Up To My Room Event (read my post on CUTMR here). While there, I took the opportunity to visit their annual Juried Textile and Fibre Arts Exhibition, Hard Twist: This Is Personal. This exhibition "showcases works exploring the nuances, complexities and politics of that which is individual, private and intimate." And Hard Twist certainly did explore the personal relationship between humans and textiles.

Exhibit: Going Up To The Gladstone Hotel's Strange Rooms!

Last weekend I visited The Gladstone Hotel on Queen Street West to take part in their annual Come Up To My Room (CUTMR) Exhibition. This event, which is apart of The Toronto Design Offsite Festival, is one of Toronto's biggest alternative design events and coincides with The Interior Design Show.
 

Escapespace by Evelyne Au-Navioz, Rob Giusti, Raymond Pavan, & Nikki Shih