Images Festival Opening Gala

I was recently invited to the opening gala at the Isabel Bader Theatre. I was nervous arriving as a friend of mine has forwarded my resume to the board so I wasn’t sure how to act. The whole networking thing is actually a part of my current position but because I’m off work for a few months, it was a daunting thought.
But two glasses of merlot later, I was schmoozing. Maybe a little bit of over-schmoozing?

It’s always great to see your former peers. I saw a professor that changed my life (and my writing), a former stalker, many of my art school colleagues and the familiar faces of my fellow art world schmoozers.

We eventually sat down for a screening of 5 original Canadian short “films” while Continuum Contemporary Music played a live piece for each short.
I’m a big fan of orchestral music, chamber ensembles and film scores so this was both a treat and a bit alienating. Personally, I didn’t like the idea that we had to be subjected to the work but instead, it would’ve worked much nicer as installations for a viewer to explore independently. When I sit down for a movie or screening, I expect to be thoroughly entertained. This was very esoteric. Don’t get me wrong, I got it. I can pick out the references and probably write a paper on the works but it was challenging for me to enjoy as a consumer.
Nonetheless, I was on the granting committee that helped fund Continuum’s new album Sea Change so it was great to finally see them live.

Adam and I enjoying the performance…

The pieces were definitely… interesting. Anyone who fancies something a little more experimental should head out to Images. It might open up your sinuses or give you a seizure. But you also might end up learning something about the quest for truth or the exploration of one’s identity, all through time-based media and installation. Possibilities are abundant! Concepts are aplenty!

Aside from the show, I was actually there to survey the fashion!

Sara Chan, who is on the board for the Images Festival and a good friend, was nice enough to lead me around and introduce me to some board members.
She had on one of my favourite colours this season for the home and for the body: a bold zesty yellow. Some might even call it “chartreuse” (Adam)…. *cough*

Kelly had on this amazingly crisp khaki trench. Very Caroline Bessette.

I just realized that I have been scouring the city for an affordable denim or oxford shirt (it has to look beat up enough) but I found this shirt for Adam at H&M in less than 5 minutes… Hey… Give me my shirt back!

Tori Allen, Co-chair of the festival wearing one of my favourite colours this season: a strong lobster red. Banana Republic’s doing it, Alexander McQueen’s doing it…
After I complimented her, I looked down to see that, yup, she paired it with a sophisticated grey. That’s the way to do it!

Check out these S&M bootays Erin was wearing.

I also ran into a former professor of mine, Philip Monk.
Philip is a well-respected Curator (The Power Plant), Writer (C Magazine) and the current Director/Curator for the Art Gallery of York University.

I ran into him in the washroom and complimented him on his electric yellow tie. Very Hedi Slimane Dior Homme, Etro or Jil Sander 2005. But he corrected me immediately, “it’s from Le Crapeau.” Also known as the Montreal retailer Le Chateau. God, I love him.

But the “Most Art School Style Award” goes to this lady’s Gustav Klimt Pumas.

What!

The Images Festival runs till April 11 at various venues around Toronto.