Nuit Blanche is back for the 12th annual city wide art show. On Sept. 30 from sunset to sunrise, Toronto’s downtown core is transformed into an artistic wonderland, with installations, exhibits, and live performances being carried out throughout the city. This year, the festival will Celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday under the theme entitled: “Many Possible Futures.”
This is the first time there is a specific theme at Nuit Blanche. The festival will host 35 art immersive projects, with four set to run from dusk till dawn. Over all there will be 300-plus independent artists and 90 different art projects to experience in the city.
Here are five exhibitions to look out for at this year’s festival:
Monument to the Century of Revolutions- Nathan Phillips Square ( all night)
Curated by Nato Thompson
This exhibition features 21 different showcases within one project. The installation is a reflection of Russian history and the Bolshevik Revolution, which led to the rise of the Soviet Union. The display will feature an array of different shipping containers that essentially form a village. In this village, different shipping containers will display moments throughout history from the Mexican Revolution to the French Revolution. One section will address issues of indigenous peoples, sex workers, queer activism and African diaspora. In all, this village is a social space that represents history and the narrative of global justice.
Learn about the ‘German Revolution of 1918-19’ within the ‘Monument to the Century of Revolutions’ exhibit @ #nbTO17 https://t.co/A8c12Cyz3G pic.twitter.com/56waEEiC8L
— Nuit Blanche Toronto (@nuitblancheTO) September 10, 2017
Calculating Upon The Unforeseen- AGO (6:58PM- 2:00AM) Indoors
The Forest- Curated by Clara Halpern
This performance at the AGO will feature Canadian artist Will Kwan, and addresses how inequality is created through economics and cultural discussions.The performance will address the “force and fragility” of the human voice through words. These spoken words will reflect on human history and poetic stories, and will only be conveyed through human and voice connection.
Visit ‘The Forest,’ a performance inspired by the lo-tech ingenuity of the human microphone @agotoronto on #nbTO17: https://t.co/9uU8l3vwsf pic.twitter.com/rAhbLMU7WF
— Nuit Blanche Toronto (@nuitblancheTO) September 22, 2017
Taking To The Streets- Wellesley Street West & Queen’s Park Crescent West
Automobile- Curated by Barbara Fischer
Artist Joseph Namy will feature a translation of sound using the bass system of various cars. Clusters of cars will be parked under a bridge near Wellesley St., featuring an amplified sound that can be heard even before the display is seen. The goal of this installation is to see how people listen to music versus how they feel when they hear music. The loud bass is powerful and is meant to transmit this power to a large audience.
Experience ‘Automobile,’ a sound performance using cars w/ modified stereo systems on Wellesley St W during #nbTO17: https://t.co/Tu5r7WmabX pic.twitter.com/cIMHpjlxyn
— Nuit Blanche Toronto (@nuitblancheTO) September 24, 2017
Netflix’s Red Forest- Spadina Courthouse Rotunda
For the first time, Netflix will be creating the “Upside Down” world that is featured in the popular Netflix series, Stranger Things. Expected to be one of the most popular attractions, explorers have a chance to explore the ‘Red Forest’ that reflects the upside down world. Guests even wear a hazmat when entering the forest to reflect the nature of the show. This is a big promotional effort for the show Stranger Things, but understandably is very appealing.
The Upside Down from #StrangerThings is being built in #Toronto #nuitblanche #Netflix #Riverdale #redforest https://t.co/KL7yYumGnI
— Sarah Olmstead (@sarahjolmstead) September 27, 2017
Fly By Night- The Gladstone Hotel
Curated by Lukus Toane
This celebration at the Gladstone Hotel on Queen Street Wes, is an all-night event that will showcase this hotel as one of Toronto’s oldest cultural hubs. The Gladstone is already known for their unique and artistic rooms, but the celebration will take place on the second floor public space and will feature live performances and a visual transformation of the environment. There will also be karaoke at the Melody Bar on the first floor.
Visit @GladstoneHotel for ‘Fly By Night 2017,’ a showcase ft. immersive performances & installations Sept 30 https://t.co/9riBmZmuXB #nbTO17 pic.twitter.com/l9rUhD2FK8
— Nuit Blanche Toronto (@nuitblancheTO) September 24, 2017
As per usual the TTC will be operating all night to ensure the easy transport of persons around the city. For more information visit nbto.com
Hope you have an enjoyable Nuit Blanche 2017!
