Category Archives: Art, Architecture & Design

Ongoing Upheaval

Posted on January 6, 2014 by barczablog

I had the most curious experience during my second look at The Great Upheaval, the imported show from Guggenheim’s Collection at the AGO. The first time through I more or less bought into the official story of this show, an … Continue reading →

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Guggenheim’s Great Upheaval at the AGO

Posted on November 26, 2013 by barczablog

There’s a moment in Terry Gilliam’s Adventures of Baron Munchausen when Vulcan is pressing carbon into a diamond for his wife Venus, and of course she expresses her gratitude, a moment before handing the thing to a lady in waiting … Continue reading →

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Rockstar of fabric & yarn

Posted on October 6, 2013 by barczablog

Out of town post #1 I spent two days in Niagara-on-the-Lake.  One can see Toronto from a marathon swimmer’s perspective (as we did after dark).  I took Brandon Mably & Kaffe Fassett down to show them the view.  It’s so … Continue reading →

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Ai Weiwei According to What?

Posted on August 15, 2013 by barczablog

Shortly after entering “According to What,” Ai Weiwei’s exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario, I experienced a magic moment, in my encounter with  “Tea House”, a deceptively simple installation by the artist. Here’s what this piece usually looks like.  … Continue reading →

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Ai Weiwei Never Sorry

Posted on July 26, 2013 by barczablog

How apt that I begin writing about this film with an apology. I went looking for Ai Weiwei Never Sorry when I heard of this film, that had been shown at TIFF.  I sought an introduction to the artist, because … Continue reading →

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Architect, house thyself

Posted on June 20, 2013 by barczablog

University of Toronto are undertaking an ambitious building project, the new home of the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.  But it’s not that it’s a tall building or a unique shape; that’s not what’s especially daring … Continue reading →

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Bronzes by Ai Weiwei in Nathan Phillips Square

Posted on June 19, 2013 by barczablog

“Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment. AGO unveils monumental bronze sculpture series by artist Ai Weiwei in Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square Majestic 50,000 pound sculpture installation adorns Toronto City Hall’s reflecting pool in advance of AGO summer … Continue reading →

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Brian Wyers: artist at work

Posted on May 21, 2013 by barczablog

It’s Victoria Day long weekend. Fireworks are exploding in my neighbourhood as I type this. It’s not fair to call it the Canadian equivalent to the 4th of July, as there’s no particular patriotism, no national myth underlying the date, … Continue reading →

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Early Renaissance

Posted on March 12, 2013 by barczablog

There’s something magical about getting a glimpse of someone famous in their youth.  Seeing a great leader or film-star as a child, we recognize some of the qualities that will emerge, even as we see a version of that person … Continue reading →

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Remembering Frida and Diego

Posted on January 9, 2013 by barczablog

Better late than never, right? In October I had the pleasure of walking through the Art Gallery of Ontario exhibit Frida & Diego: Passion, Politics and Painting, displaying artwork and images associated with the lives of Diego Rivera & Frida … Continue reading →

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