Street art is having a moment. Is it a pivotal one?

Street art is having a moment. Is it a pivotal one?

Street art is having a moment. Is it a pivotal one?

By Robin Catalano. Full article available on greylockglass.com

During the height of the Spanish flu pandemic, afflicted Norwegian artist Edvard Munch painted a pair of self-portraits. In the first, he sits alone in a chair beside his rumpled bed, bundled in a robe, blankets covering his legs. His face is drained of color and his mouth hangs open, as if gasping for breath. In the second, painted after his recovery, he lists, seemingly exhausted, toward the viewer.

Though there is little besides Munch’s art that so viscerally records the 1918 pandemic, in its aftermath, the arts flourished, as they so often do following times of social and political upheaval—think the Renaissance after the black plague, or even the large body of political art that emerged following the AIDS crisis of the 1980s. It may be too early to gauge exactly what kind of art will emerge as the defining form of the post-COVID-19 period, but one media is staking its claim: street art.

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Street art is having a moment. Is it a pivotal one?

During the height of the Spanish flu pandemic, afflicted Norwegian artist Edvard Munch painted a pair of self-portraits. In the first, he sits alone in a chair beside his rumpled bed, bundled in a robe, blankets covering his legs. His face is drained of color and his mouth hangs open, as if gasping for breath. In the second, painted after his recovery, he lists, seemingly exhausted, toward the viewer.

Create HOPE – Collective Mural Initiative

In the context of the current state of isolation, recommended by public health officials across the globe due to COVID19, a new initiative has been launched through an alliance between local Canadian arts and health advocates, to create an arts-based health promotion initiative in response to the high demand for mental health support for families to cope during this difficult period that we face.

Créer l’espoir – une murale virtuelle pancanadienne se dessine à l’horizon

Malgré les distances qui séparent les Canadiens en ces temps de confinement, des initiatives pour les réunir virtuellement surgissent partout au pays. L’une d’entre elles est le projet de murale virtuelle numérique Create Hope | Créer l’espoir.

L’initiative consiste à compiler des interprétations visuelles du concept d’espoir. Elle s’adresse en premier lieu aux enfants qui, comme le reste du monde, sont en quarantaine pour une période indéterminée.

Le projet repose sur deux initiatives lancées par Rodrigo et Paola Ardiles Gamboa, frère et sœur, soit le Dundas West Public Museum de Toronto (géré principalement par l’ONG Creativo Arts) et la coopérative de promotion de la santé Bridge for Health basée à Vancouver. Le mot-clé avec lequel ils veulent faire résonner le projet au pays est #createhopemural.

Create HOPE – Collective Mural Initiative

Create HOPE – Collective Mural Initiative

Create HOPE – Collective Mural Initiative

PRESS COMMUNICATION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Vancouver / Toronto, April 2020

In the context of the current state of isolation, recommended by public health officials across the country due to COVID19, a new initiative is launching today through an alliance between local Canadian arts and health advocates. Bridge for Health (Vancouver), and the Dundas West Open Air Public Art Museum (Toronto). The two have come together to create an arts-based health promotion initiative in response to the high demand for mental health support for families to cope during this difficult period that humanity faces.

The “Create HOPE” digital mural initiative will collect the interpretations of hope from children and families across Canada. Interpretations that could vary from drawings, written literature and multimedia genres that are inspired by this invitation. The submissions will then be projected onto a digital collage that forms a mural to showcase the various expressions of HOPE, as an inspiration to all.

Partners of this initiative include “Alita X Design” Studios, named Top 5 Creatives in Canada 2009, that will be collaborating with the Museum designers and artists, along with the Health promoters across the country.

Due to the uncertainty of the isolation period, this “call out” for artworks and multimedia interpretations will not be limited to a certain date, an effort to accompany families through these uncertain periods. Beautiful artworks and social engagement, are the results that are expected from this invite. Hence, we would like to extend the invitation to entire communities without prejudice, to participate in this collective “Create HOPE” initiative.

Starting Monday April 6, 2020, we are asking communities to please post the illustration on social media using #CreateHopeMural and/or to submit artworks to: muralhope@gmail.com  

Social media link:

 https://www.facebook.com/events/1334328643417544/ 

Image credit: Danilo Vergara @yo.soy.danilo
Mural Artist: Giovanni Zamora @giova.streetart
More events:

Street art is having a moment. Is it a pivotal one?

During the height of the Spanish flu pandemic, afflicted Norwegian artist Edvard Munch painted a pair of self-portraits. In the first, he sits alone in a chair beside his rumpled bed, bundled in a robe, blankets covering his legs. His face is drained of color and his mouth hangs open, as if gasping for breath. In the second, painted after his recovery, he lists, seemingly exhausted, toward the viewer.

Create HOPE – Collective Mural Initiative

In the context of the current state of isolation, recommended by public health officials across the globe due to COVID19, a new initiative has been launched through an alliance between local Canadian arts and health advocates, to create an arts-based health promotion initiative in response to the high demand for mental health support for families to cope during this difficult period that we face.

Créer l’espoir – une murale virtuelle pancanadienne se dessine à l’horizon

Malgré les distances qui séparent les Canadiens en ces temps de confinement, des initiatives pour les réunir virtuellement surgissent partout au pays. L’une d’entre elles est le projet de murale virtuelle numérique Create Hope | Créer l’espoir.

L’initiative consiste à compiler des interprétations visuelles du concept d’espoir. Elle s’adresse en premier lieu aux enfants qui, comme le reste du monde, sont en quarantaine pour une période indéterminée.

Le projet repose sur deux initiatives lancées par Rodrigo et Paola Ardiles Gamboa, frère et sœur, soit le Dundas West Public Museum de Toronto (géré principalement par l’ONG Creativo Arts) et la coopérative de promotion de la santé Bridge for Health basée à Vancouver. Le mot-clé avec lequel ils veulent faire résonner le projet au pays est #createhopemural.

Créer l’espoir – une murale virtuelle pancanadienne se dessine à l’horizon

Créer l’espoir – une murale virtuelle pancanadienne se dessine à l’horizon

Créer l’espoir – une murale virtuelle pancanadienne se dessine à l’horizon

Radio Canadas International

Malgré les distances qui séparent les Canadiens en ces temps de confinement, des initiatives pour les réunir virtuellement surgissent partout au pays. L’une d’entre elles est le projet de murale virtuelle numérique Create Hope | Créer l’espoir.

L’initiative consiste à compiler des interprétations visuelles du concept d’espoir. Elle s’adresse en premier lieu aux enfants qui, comme le reste du monde, sont en quarantaine pour une période indéterminée.

Le projet repose sur deux initiatives lancées par Rodrigo et Paola Ardiles Gamboa, frère et sœur, soit le Dundas West Public Museum de Toronto (géré principalement par l’ONG Creativo Arts) et la coopérative de promotion de la santé Bridge for Health basée à Vancouver. Le mot-clé avec lequel ils veulent faire résonner le projet au pays est #createhopemural.

Continue reading…

More events:

Street art is having a moment. Is it a pivotal one?

During the height of the Spanish flu pandemic, afflicted Norwegian artist Edvard Munch painted a pair of self-portraits. In the first, he sits alone in a chair beside his rumpled bed, bundled in a robe, blankets covering his legs. His face is drained of color and his mouth hangs open, as if gasping for breath. In the second, painted after his recovery, he lists, seemingly exhausted, toward the viewer.

Create HOPE – Collective Mural Initiative

In the context of the current state of isolation, recommended by public health officials across the globe due to COVID19, a new initiative has been launched through an alliance between local Canadian arts and health advocates, to create an arts-based health promotion initiative in response to the high demand for mental health support for families to cope during this difficult period that we face.

Créer l’espoir – une murale virtuelle pancanadienne se dessine à l’horizon

Malgré les distances qui séparent les Canadiens en ces temps de confinement, des initiatives pour les réunir virtuellement surgissent partout au pays. L’une d’entre elles est le projet de murale virtuelle numérique Create Hope | Créer l’espoir.

L’initiative consiste à compiler des interprétations visuelles du concept d’espoir. Elle s’adresse en premier lieu aux enfants qui, comme le reste du monde, sont en quarantaine pour une période indéterminée.

Le projet repose sur deux initiatives lancées par Rodrigo et Paola Ardiles Gamboa, frère et sœur, soit le Dundas West Public Museum de Toronto (géré principalement par l’ONG Creativo Arts) et la coopérative de promotion de la santé Bridge for Health basée à Vancouver. Le mot-clé avec lequel ils veulent faire résonner le projet au pays est #createhopemural.

TOURING TORONTO – Embrace street art culture with graffiti tours, art festivals and daring views on a hip trip to Toronto

TOURING TORONTO – Embrace street art culture with graffiti tours, art festivals and daring views on a hip trip to Toronto

TOURING TORONTO – Embrace street art culture with graffiti tours, art festivals and daring views on a hip trip to Toronto

Dundas West Open Air Museum featured prominently today in “The Sun”, the UK’s widest read newspaper. See the full report here:

Embrace street art culture with graffiti tours, art festivals and daring views on a hip trip to Toronto

 

1688 Dundas St. W

With much love and great fanfare, the Little Portugal Toronto Barcelos Rooster was unveiled at Lakeview Park, on Saturday, September 25, 2021.

A VIP event was held at 1200 Dundas St. W. where honoured dignitaries Mayor John Tory, Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão, José Manuel Carneiro Mendes, Consul General of Portugal in Toronto, Vitor Santos, President of The Barcelos Migrant Association, the Honorable Ahmed Hussen, MP – York South-Weston and our own BIA Chair, AnaBela Taborda, brought greetings.

1335 Dundas St. W

Bordalo II’s “Eastern Cotton Tail” installation in Dundas St W, Toronto, stands as a powerful reminder of art’s potential to address pressing environmental issues. Through his creative genius, the artist transforms discarded materials into captivating sculptures that challenge our perception of waste and beauty. As visitors admire the intricate details of the Eastern Cotton Tail, they are also encouraged to reflect on their own role in creating a sustainable future. This installation not only embellishes Toronto’s artistic landscape but also leaves an indelible mark on our collective consciousness, urging us to tread more lightly on the Earth and embrace the transformative power of art.

1628 Dundas St. W

This “Scratching the Surface” mural, celebrating the Portuguese ladies of the “Cleaners Action movement” of the 1970’s and 1980’s, is the work of esteemed international artist Alexandre Farto, AKA VHILS. The mural captures the Portuguese spirit, culture and deep appreciation of art.

A VIP event was held at 1200 Dundas St. W. where honoured dignitaries Mayor John Tory, Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão, José Manuel Carneiro Mendes, Consul General of Portugal in Toronto, Vitor Santos, President of The Barcelos Migrant Association, the Honorable Ahmed Hussen, MP – York South-Weston and our own BIA Chair, AnaBela Taborda, brought greetings.

Dundas West creates Toronto’s first open-air museum

Dundas West creates Toronto’s first open-air museum

Dundas West creates Toronto’s first open-air museum

This article orginally appeared on Kickstart BIA.

At Toronto’s newest museum on Dundas West, there’s no umbrella storage or coat checks, no half-priced admission or well-dressed security kindly requesting you don’t touch the art. Instead, the works are all there in the street, a patchwork of murals telling the story of what and who the neighbourhood is and will be. The dundaswest.museum is an open-air street art museum. And it’s Toronto’s first.

“The city’s changing so fast, there’s so much development,” says Rodrigo Ardiles of the Creativo Arts Collective, which worked alongside the Lula Music and Arts Centre and Dundas West BIA and Little Portugal BIA to create the museum. “We talked to the people from the city and what the community is today – Portuguese, Vietnamese, Brazilian – and everybody really wanted to have a bit of their story stored in this place.”

Continue reading…

More events:

Street art is having a moment. Is it a pivotal one?

During the height of the Spanish flu pandemic, afflicted Norwegian artist Edvard Munch painted a pair of self-portraits. In the first, he sits alone in a chair beside his rumpled bed, bundled in a robe, blankets covering his legs. His face is drained of color and his mouth hangs open, as if gasping for breath. In the second, painted after his recovery, he lists, seemingly exhausted, toward the viewer.

Create HOPE – Collective Mural Initiative

In the context of the current state of isolation, recommended by public health officials across the globe due to COVID19, a new initiative has been launched through an alliance between local Canadian arts and health advocates, to create an arts-based health promotion initiative in response to the high demand for mental health support for families to cope during this difficult period that we face.

Créer l’espoir – une murale virtuelle pancanadienne se dessine à l’horizon

Malgré les distances qui séparent les Canadiens en ces temps de confinement, des initiatives pour les réunir virtuellement surgissent partout au pays. L’une d’entre elles est le projet de murale virtuelle numérique Create Hope | Créer l’espoir.

L’initiative consiste à compiler des interprétations visuelles du concept d’espoir. Elle s’adresse en premier lieu aux enfants qui, comme le reste du monde, sont en quarantaine pour une période indéterminée.

Le projet repose sur deux initiatives lancées par Rodrigo et Paola Ardiles Gamboa, frère et sœur, soit le Dundas West Public Museum de Toronto (géré principalement par l’ONG Creativo Arts) et la coopérative de promotion de la santé Bridge for Health basée à Vancouver. Le mot-clé avec lequel ils veulent faire résonner le projet au pays est #createhopemural.

Embracing diversity through artistic exchange: From Toronto to Valparaíso, Chile

Embracing diversity through artistic exchange: From Toronto to Valparaíso, Chile

Embracing diversity through artistic exchange: From Toronto to Valparaíso, Chile

Through street art, Chileans and Canadians are celebrating creativity and diversity.

Art has the power to tell stories, instil pride and even foster inclusion.

That’s exactly what a recent cultural exchange between Chile and Canada accomplished.

Like Canada, Chile is a country that is home to different cultures, religions and ethnicities. As is true in Canada, there is still more work to do in Chile to ensure that all segments of society are included and have equal opportunities. Alongside local partners, the Embassy of Canada in Chile is showing that communities are stronger when we work together, respect our differences and give everyone the chance to participate.

The Embassy supported the “Creative Cities” exchange project, sending Canadian artists Jarus and Kreecha to the port city of Valparaíso to paint two public murals.

The project was a collaborative effort of Creativo Arts, a Canadian organization directed by Toronto-based Canadian-Chilean cultural promoter Rodrigo Ardiles, local art organization Valparaíso en Colores, and the Valparaíso regional office of Chile’s Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, under their ‘Emerge Valparaíso’ program.

This was the second phase in the “Creative Cities” exchange between Toronto and Valparaíso, as fostered by Creativo Arts and with support from the City of Toronto and other Canadian organizations. In phase one, two Chilean artists traveled to Toronto and painted murals in the Dundas West neighbourhood. These public art works reflect the diversity and rich cultures of Canada’s largest city and are now part of the Dundas West Open Air Museum, which was launched in June 2019.

“Murals make neighbourhoods feel more welcoming and walkable. They encourage citizens to be creative and foster a sense of identity, belonging and openness. They can also boost economic development and tourism in the neighbourhood”, said Rodrigo Ardiles.

 

More events:

Street art is having a moment. Is it a pivotal one?

During the height of the Spanish flu pandemic, afflicted Norwegian artist Edvard Munch painted a pair of self-portraits. In the first, he sits alone in a chair beside his rumpled bed, bundled in a robe, blankets covering his legs. His face is drained of color and his mouth hangs open, as if gasping for breath. In the second, painted after his recovery, he lists, seemingly exhausted, toward the viewer.

Create HOPE – Collective Mural Initiative

In the context of the current state of isolation, recommended by public health officials across the globe due to COVID19, a new initiative has been launched through an alliance between local Canadian arts and health advocates, to create an arts-based health promotion initiative in response to the high demand for mental health support for families to cope during this difficult period that we face.

Créer l’espoir – une murale virtuelle pancanadienne se dessine à l’horizon

Malgré les distances qui séparent les Canadiens en ces temps de confinement, des initiatives pour les réunir virtuellement surgissent partout au pays. L’une d’entre elles est le projet de murale virtuelle numérique Create Hope | Créer l’espoir.

L’initiative consiste à compiler des interprétations visuelles du concept d’espoir. Elle s’adresse en premier lieu aux enfants qui, comme le reste du monde, sont en quarantaine pour une période indéterminée.

Le projet repose sur deux initiatives lancées par Rodrigo et Paola Ardiles Gamboa, frère et sœur, soit le Dundas West Public Museum de Toronto (géré principalement par l’ONG Creativo Arts) et la coopérative de promotion de la santé Bridge for Health basée à Vancouver. Le mot-clé avec lequel ils veulent faire résonner le projet au pays est #createhopemural.