Jason Ramcharan’s Alchemy – Opening Reception!

Twist Gallery would like to thank everyone who came out on Friday February 10th (despite the terrible winter weather that showed up) for Jason Ramcharan’s first solo exhibit!  We had a great turnout and really enjoyed learning more about what inspires Jason’s work.

If you didn’t have a chance to make it to the opening, Jason’s exhibit runs until the end of February, so stop by and check out this amazing art!

Thanks again to Jason and everyone who came by!

Cheers,

Twist Gallery

Alchemy by Jason Ramcharan

Twist Gallery is excited to host Jason Ramcharan’s solo exhibit Alchemy, for the month of February!

Jason says the body of his work is inspired by a curiousity for science and mythology.  This exhibit explores the view of alchemists, who believed that matter can be reverse engineered to a point where it is not fully differentiated. It is more a representation of the formulation of questions, rather than an attempt
to find the answers.

The opening reception for Jason’s show is Friday February 10th, starting at 7pm. The exhibt also includes two beautiful installations inspired by Alchemists. Come join us at Twist on Friday to experience his work for yourself, and have a chance to speak to Jason and learn more about his vision.

True Colours

Twist Gallery would like to thank everyone who came out on Friday, January 13th, 2012 for the opening reception of  True Colours.

Artists: Karen Taylor, Leanne Lang, Renata Shishkova, Kate Tayler, Chris Smart, Catherine Hunt, Jane Orr, Lauren Satok, Whitney Taylor, Shyamala Millar, Nadine Prada, Raquel Aurini & Steven Crainford were all very happy to see so many people attend the opening.

If  you haven’t had a chance to make it out yet, you can still drop by between Tuesday and Saturday from 11am-6pm up until January 28th, 2012. Here are some images from the opening reception.

TorontoTransformed all month long…

Just a short note to thank you for attending our Opening Reception for TorontoTransformed at Twist Gallery last week. 
Click this link for some images from the opening:

http://www.flickr.com//photos/71457016@N08/sets/72157628284884765/show/
We had over one hundred people come by and greatly appreciate your support.
If you were unable to attend the opening, the show is on until December 29th.

The artist, Harry Enchin, will be in attendance at the gallery on Saturday December 10th and 17th between 2 and 4pm.

We look forward to seeing you all again soon!

TIMELESS, Zoomers & Immortality

Twist Gallery is very excited to be working in conjunction with media mogul and artist Moses Znaimer for his upcoming Zoomershow, which launches next Thursday November 3rd!

The exhibition has been curated by Moses himself and is organized by Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts in collarboration with ZoomerMedia.  The show will aim to capture elements of time or perhaps timelessness, featuring 25 artists.

“Since the beginning of time immemorial, humans have used the visual arts to both define and understand that which is timeless.   

Through procreation, through knowledge and believe systems and the creation of works of art and architecture, we have tried to create that which can withstand the confines of time.

One might say, we have striven to achieve a measure of immoratlity. But, does time actually exist, or is it merely an invention we use to measure change?  As Zoomers and Artists, what are we creating that might surveve the ebb and flow of time?”

                                      - Moses Znaimer

The show will run from November 3rd – 27th, wih an opening reception on Thursday November 3rd, from 7 – 10pm at Twist Gallery. 

There will also be an awards reception tomorrow afternoon at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place (Hall C & D).

We look forward to seeing you walk through our doors!

Nuit Blanche goes Midtown

Around 8pm Saturday evening, October the first, the Twist loft started to fill with all walks of life; from artists, art lovers, and media to the excitable folks walking the streets of Queen West.  It was on this very anticipated night, the Humber Creative Photography program, unleashed their very first show; Midtown & Other Stories.  The night was a huge success, selling over 20 prints from the Midtown collection. 

The show is comprised of 19 individual artists, who travelled to two different cities within seven days photographing the highlights and lowlights of New York and Philadelphia.  The work captures everything from pleasant images of New York’s Central Park and riveting Times Square shots to more solemn and dreary portraits of Philadelphia’s State Penitentiary.  This show will leave you intrigued and impressed.

The show will run until October 29th, so if you haven’t had a chance to stop by- be sure to do so.  There are just a limited number of prints left!  

We look forward to seeing these young and very talented artists gain exposure with time.

Twist introduces Midtown & Other Stories

Twist Gallery would like to thank both the artists and the public for a very successful September exhibit.  The DUO  boys, Kwame Delfish and Jason O’Brien produced yet another outstanding show. The pieces from the two collections, The Audacity of Purple and Follow Upstream, worked in complete harmony and we can’t wait to see what the DUO comes up with next!   

Twist’s next show will commence this Saturday, October 1st in congruence with this years’ Nuit Blanche!  The October exhibit will consist of 19 photographers from Humber’s Creative Photography Program.  The images from this show were taken on a recent week-long location workshop in New York City and Philadelphia, during which artists explored the many aspects of photographic culture.  This included iconic and lesser-known locations, galleries, NYC Photography festival & documentary film.  Inspiration from these sources and a collective spirit celebrating photograrphic arts, combined to form the diverse and eclectic collection: Midtown & Other Stories.

This show will run from October 1st – 29th with the opening reception on October 1st!  Be sure to stop by as you cruise the Art & Design District this Saturday night for Nuit Blanche!

Twist will also be hosting a photographic installation where guests can have their picture taken and projected onto a screen overlooking Queen West!

Be sure to stop by even for a drink!

We look forward to another successful opening night!

Why Queen West is the place to be this fall…

I woke up this morning, looked outside to see the bright shining sun and dressed accordingly (or so I thought); black mini skirt, red tank coupled with a slinky off the shoulder cover up alongside my favourite brown moccasins.  As I step outside, it immediately occurs to me, summer is over and we have officially entered the best season of all – fall!  The weather cools a bit, we get to pull our trendy boots back on and have an excuse to go shopping.  Best of all, autumn is a time for fresh starts, learning new things and of course meeting new people. 

As I get off the bus and step onto the familiar pavement of Queen West, I think to myself this is my favourite part of Toronto and I feel truly lucky to work in this hipster-esque neighbourhood.  On this particular day, I decide to really take notice to all the fascinating shops and businesses that surround me. 

Besides the numerous intriguing art galleries that line this remarkable street, the Art and Design District of Toronto, really does possess a fabulous blend of culture; mixing vintage shops, bars, restaurants and pubs, coffee shops as well as Canada’s largest addictions and mental health facility – CAMH.  I even caught a glimpse of an impromptu photo shoot after grabbing a quick bite today!

Below you’ll find a few personal favourites of what Queen West has to offer in the engaging months of September and October.

If you’re looking for a place to grab a quick bite around lunch time, I would suggest stepping into Cinnamon Girls.  This charming lunch-time eatery is a family owned business that got its start through baking deliciously addictive cinnamon treats.  Today, Cinnamon Girls has evolved into a boutique-style lunching hot spot.  They offer a different featured wrap every day, alongside their yummy homemade pasta salads and fresh greens.  Menu items range from Greek chicken wraps, to curry pastas, to even beef melt favourites.  If you’ve got a sweet tooth, not to worry, Cinnamon Girls still carries their signature cinnamon treats!

 Perhaps  you and you’re colleagues are looking for somewhere to go after work, grab a drink or even go dancing – Nyood is the hot spot on this strip.  This restaurant /club attracts a variety of events, parties and even celebrities – Jessica Biel was caught enjoying dinner there not too long ago.  Nyood even hosts a Sunday brunch party every other week where guests dress up in their Sunday best to see and be seen.  

For something more casual and relaxing that will really get you warmed up for the cooler months, why not pop into Queen Wests’ Knit Café.  Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, snack on a biscuit while you learn how to knit!  They even have a “knit and bitch” session every Tuesday night and host a decadent High Tea Sunday each month.  

These are just a few ideas to get you into the swing of things this fall while you’re touring the streets of the Art and Design District.  If you do happen to take any of these suggestions, you better not forget to check out the heart of it all at Twist Gallery – 1100 Queen West.  We have a new exhibit each month and our next opening reception will be held October 1^st – Nuit Blanche!  We look forward to seeing you here!

My First Greek Frappe

After working at Twist Gallery for several months and spending countless loonies and toonies on Starbucks coffee every day, Nadia (Twist Director) and I decided to start brewing our own “in-house” coffee to save a few bucks.  After several failed attempts, we finally brewed the perfect cup.

Now, our only obstacle was the heat.  It was the middle of July and we were already cooking half to death from the humidity in the oversized loft that overlooks Queen West.  What we needed was something refreshing that would also perk us up.  Nadia quickly suggested her motherland’s signature beverage- the original Greek Frappe. 

The word Frappe in French means chilled, however according to Wikipedia, the name café frappe is interpreted as ‘shaken’.  The key to making the best Frappe, Nadia persisted it the amount of froth and how fast you shake it.

Continue reading if you’re curious on how to concoct this delicious refreshment.

What you will need…

• Instant Coffee (Nescafe is preferred)
• Cold Water
• Ice
• Sugar
• Cocktail Shaker
• One Tall Glass

How it’s done in four simple steps…

1. In the shaker, add 2-3 tablespoons of cold water, 1 teaspoon of instant coffee and sugar (to taste) *Nadia recommends 1 teaspoon for the optimum sweetness level.
2. Close the shaker very carefully and tightly and shake hard for at least 30 seconds, until the mixture appears to be all foam.
3. Pour the foam into a water glass, add 7-8 ounces of water, several ice cubes, milk and stir
4. Serve with a straw and enjoy!

After having my first few sips, I was in love.  The days of ordering caramel macchiatos and iced non-fat vanilla lattes were over for me.  Who knew something so simple could taste so delicious. Thank you Nadia!

For a more visual tutorial on how to make this tasty drink, check out this video on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL1HyQgsrhg

The Evolution of Graffiti

Have you ever walked through the streets of Toronto and noticed all the graffiti that surrounds us?  I’ve recently found myself in awe of these mysterious and often anonymous artists, wondering what inspires them.  Do they create for political or social motive or perhaps practice simply for pleasure?

According to Wikipedia, Graffiti or graffito (singular) can be defined as images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property.  Essentially, it is any type of public markings that may appear in the forms of simple written words to elaborate wall paintings. 

After doing a bit of research, I discovered that Graffiti dates back to Ancient Greek and Roman times.  Over the years, graffiti has become a part of our pop culture and for those living in metropolis cities we tend to identify with it.  Graffiti often possesses many underlying symbolic social and political messages, not to mention provide it’s viewers with a tremendous platform for artistic expression.  It is also argued that this ‘grunge’ art form may be related to gang culture throughout urban centres, hence its negative connotations. 

Recently, our fearless leader Mr. Rob Ford has led the motion to eliminate graffiti from city buildings and infrastructure as well as private property in the City of Toronto.  According to the government site, www.toronto.ca, “by doing so, the City will be cleaner and more vibrant and it will make Toronto a more attractive place for everyone”.  Residents of Toronto are now urged to call a special hotline (311) if they see any graffiti on private property, or report it online. The report goes on to discuss ‘art murals’ and how they improve the look of our neighbourhoods.  Personally, I find this a bit contradictory.  What is the difference between a mural and graffiti? It seems to me, to be a very fine line.  Graffiti is art and it has existed for centuries.  One thing I am certain is that art is subjective and who is to say what is attractive or inappropriate for our city streets?

I’ve found some Graffiti to be quite gratifying and pleasurable to the eye, while other ‘murals’ very dissatisfying to take in.  Take for example, the scrawls that lie behind the Twist Gallery walls on Queen West.  You can find everything from illegible chicken scratch to beautifully coloured murals to even transformer images!   Check out the photographs below and let us know what you think about all this Graffiti noise!