NUIT BLANCHE 2013: LIVE
And with that, we’re going to call it a nuit. Until next year!
As always, TIFF is the best place to end the night. You get to sit, it’s still rowdy, and you know it will go all the way to sunrise
CRINGEWORTHY! (TIFF Lightbox, #58)
6:49 AM
While many exhibits wind down as dawn approaches, the Subaru Art Car is still going strong at King and University. Commercialism 1, Art 0.
King and University
6:16 AM
Only an hour until sunrise. Missed any projects? 6 projects extended to Thanksgiving and beyond. Details at: http://t.co/iYBLwj43SX #snbTO
— SB Nuit Blanche TO (@sbnuitblancheTO) October 6, 2013
A Collective Nightmare (Gladstone Hotel, #106)
3:18 AM
Spotted on Queen West on the way to the Gladstone
2:48 AM
There is an elephant in the truck (Queen’s Park Crescent and Grosvenor Street, #69)
1:19 AM
Getting to be that time of the night…
(X)Static Clown Factory (University and Gerrard, #42)
12:57 AM
Ferris Wheel (Dundas and University, #25)
12:39 AM
It’s never too late (or too early) for marshmallow roasting.
Gather (OCAD, #39)
5:25 AM
Much excitement at Nathan Phillips as drunk guy jumps in with the self-driving cars. pic.twitter.com/uhc2q8xS4g
— Ivor Tossell (@ivortossell) October 6, 2013
“Blah blah blah” on repeat coming from the speakers.
Gather (OCAD, #39)
5:20 AM
Attendee struggling with concept of art. Started unzipping pants and suggesting that was art as well.
City Hall basement
5:00 AM
Garden Tower in Toronto (Metropolitan United Church, Queen and Church streets, #37)
4:45 AM
The rain really thinned people out—lines are super short now. Still a couple of hours left!
Queen’s Park Crescent
4:17 AM
—Preparing for the arrival of the Sun King (aka Louis XIV) at a 12-hour “durational performance.”
Night Shift (Bay Adelaide Centre, #21)
4:11 AM
Queen of the Parade (Queen and University, #15)
1:08 AM
—In a booth artist David Harper creates patterns with needlepoint; they are projected onto the base of a 20-foot monument beside him.
This, I Build For You (Queen’s Park Crescent and Grosvenor, #68)
11:23 PM
A Quack Cure (Queen’s Park Crescent and Wellesley)
11:10 PM
Nothing is better (Church of the Redeemer, Bloor and Avenue Road, #89)
10:47 PM
—Drummers on the move
South side of Nathan Phillips Square
12:14 AM
A few more shots of Ai Weiwei’s installation…
Forever Bicycles (Nathan Phillips Square, #1)
10:45-10:51 PM
People text messages to artist Travis T. Freeman from the Queen Mother patio and watch him shout the messages into a nature preserve north of the city. Recent texts include details on the finale of Breaking Bad, making for the most unexpected spoiler ever. Still, dick move.
Queen Mother Cafe
3:09 AM
Howl (University south of Wellington, #48)
9:36 PM
Pink Punch (First Canadian Place, #29)
8:47 PM
Artist’s statement:
Canada has “baited” Natives with Treaties for over 300 years
Natives are bound by Treaties
Canada has violated the Treaties
Canada wants Absolution.
The Trappings of Power (David Pecaut Square, #51)
8:19 PM
Signs of fatigue starting to show—handful of people lying down for a rest at north end of Queen’s Park Crescent.
Queen’s Park Crescent
2:28 AM
We asked a variety of people how they would describe Nuit Blanche to a friend. Answers: “A senior’s worst nightmare.” “Christmas for artists.” “A little less interesting than before.”
University Avenue
1:41 AM
—”…Is it art?”
Nathan Phillips Square
1:59 AM
Music Box (University and Armoury, #14)
1:54 AM
And someone has spiked the fountain at University and Richmond with bubble bath.
University and Richmond
1:50 AM
Plenty of opportunities to rest your feet at the Lightbox, including Cringeworthy! The Best & Worst Videos Online with local YouTube celebs Gunnarolla and Andrew Brevener.
TIFF Bell Lightbox (#53 to #58)
1:46 AM
Rumbling Drumlins (University south of College, #61)
11:35 PM
Overheard: “I’m getting my second wind. Let’s go f—kin’ do this.”
Toaster Work Wagon (Off to a flying start, #9)
1:25 AM
Pronunciations of Nuit Blanche so far tonight:”Nwee Blawnk,” “New-it Blawnch,” “Nee Blansh,” “Nay Blunsh.” In other news, only 1.2 per cent of Toronto speaks French.
It is what it says on the sign.
There is an elephant in the truck (Queen’s Park Crescent and Grosvenor Street, #69)
1:25 AM
I wanted to not like this. I mean, it’s just a couple of back-lit snow machines underneath the Gardiner Expressway. Turns out, it’s absolutely mesmerizing. Watching the faux snow swirl in the wind, creating patterns in the air in this barren urban environment is beautifully captivating.
The Other Side of the Gardiner (Bathurst and Fort York Boulevard, #94)
1:20 AM
Everyday Marvels (Gardiner Museum, #84)
10:54 PM
Walk by Queen’s Park and Charles and get a taste of Narnia. A wolf, dodo, gecko, and Anubis-like creature frolic on a stage with lit-up trees, armchairs, and lampposts. It’s meant to allude to Medieval fables, but mostly dressing up is fun.
A Quack Cure (Queen’s Park Crescent and Wellesley, #73)
1:07 AM
Twitter userCongrats on making it halfway through #snbTO! Only six more hours of this all-night contemporary art thing.
— Torontoist (@torontoist) October 6, 2013
Bystanders take turns at the center of a perpetually circling dolly, the feed of which is projected in the Lightbox lobby. A surprisingly intimate 360-degree striptease kept those waiting in line entertained and scandalized.
12 Hour Dolly (TIFF Bell Lightbox, #53)
1:03 AM
Tanks (David Pecaut Square, #50)
12:56 AM
At Queen’s Park and St. Joseph, a sphere with a 4.5 metre diameter occupies the street. Called HYBRID GLOBE the flashing object draws people in to touch. But some young guys want to get their Sisyphus on, and try to unmoor the project by pushing. “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” says one of the artists as he rushes over to stop it. “That’s art.”
HYBRID GLOBE (Queen’s Park Crescent and St. Joseph Street, #75)
12:50 AM
Twitter userI've been to raves where Ive been body checked less. #snbto
— Andrea Houston (@dreahouston) October 6, 2013
Paper Orbs is basically just a booth that gives out little paper crowns. As with all Nuit Blanche exhibits where free stuff is somehow involved, the lineup is like something out of the Weimar Republic on bread day. (Admittedly, the hats are pretty neat.)
Paper Orbs (University and Armoury, #17)
12:38 AM
A geodesic dome at the foot of Queen’s Park Circle gives off pastel patterned light. Inside, a changing stream of projections and live music based on the brain waves of 10 audience participants wearing special headsets. Hands down, the best experience of the night so far.
My Virtual Dream (144 College Street, #63)
12:31 AM
Have you ever wondered what a coat hanger means? Well, Everyday Marvels is the exhibit for you. With readings, interpretive dances, and miming, artists explore objects like apples, loafers and spoons. Acting out your morning routine like this could be a bit tiring, though.
Everyday Marvels (Gardiner Museum, #84)
12:28 AM
Shrine (King west of Yonge, #43)
12:21 AM
A stream of orange lanterns drifting through the sky west of Trinity Bellwoods, prompting a dude on Queen West to yell about aliens.
Trinity Bellwoods Park
12:14 AM
A pair of hockey fans attempt Toaster Work Wagon. Go team.
Toaster Work Wagon (361 University Avenue, #9)
12:11 AM
The description made it seem like there would be stage in the pool. Not so right now but my money is on a pool party happening by night’s end. For now, this is the place to be if you like teenagers. And who doesn’t during Nuit Blanche? It’s also the place to be if you like good food.
Johnnyland Submerged
12:07 AM
There’s currently an okay cover band playing. But it’s, like, on the deck of a closed public pool, so now it’s “art” or something.
Johnnyland Submerged (Scadding Court)
12:02 AM
Almost definitely a significant amount of public underage drinking happening here.
Johnnyland Submerged (Bathurst and Dundas)
12:00 AM