NUIT BLANCHE 2013: LIVE

By Torontoist

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

FROM: Stephanie Avery
LOCATION: CRINGEWORTHY! (TIFF Lightbox, #58)
TIME: 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.

FROM: Jamie Bradburn
LOCATION: King and University
TIME: 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

FROM: Dylan George
LOCATION: A Collective Nightmare (Gladstone Hotel, #106)
TIME: 3:18 AM

FROM: Dylan George
LOCATION: Spotted on Queen West on the way to the Gladstone
TIME: 2:48 AM

The elephant has a friend.

FROM: Dylan George
LOCATION: There is an elephant in the truck (Queen’s Park Crescent and Grosvenor Street, #69)
TIME: 1:19 AM

Getting to be that time of the night…

FROM: Dylan George
LOCATION: (X)Static Clown Factory (University and Gerrard, #42)
TIME: 12:57 AM

FROM: Dylan George
LOCATION: Ferris Wheel (Dundas and University, #25)
TIME: 12:39 AM

It’s never too late (or too early) for marshmallow roasting.

FROM: Stephanie Avery
LOCATION: Gather (OCAD, #39)
TIME: 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.

FROM: Andrew Louis
LOCATION: Gather (OCAD, #39)
TIME: 5:20 AM

Attendee struggling with concept of art. Started unzipping pants and suggesting that was art as well.

FROM: Andrew Louis
LOCATION: City Hall basement
TIME: 5:00 AM

FROM: Andrew Louis
LOCATION: Garden Tower in Toronto (Metropolitan United Church, Queen and Church streets, #37)
TIME: 4:45 AM

The rain really thinned people out—lines are super short now. Still a couple of hours left!

FROM: Stephanie Avery
LOCATION: Queen’s Park Crescent
TIME: 4:17 AM

—Preparing for the arrival of the Sun King (aka Louis XIV) at a 12-hour “durational performance.”

FROM: Andrew Louis
LOCATION: Night Shift (Bay Adelaide Centre, #21)
TIME: 4:11 AM

FROM: Lodoe-Laura Haines-Wangda
LOCATION: Queen of the Parade (Queen and University, #15)
TIME: 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.

FROM: Lodoe-Laura Haines-Wangda
LOCATION: This, I Build For You (Queen’s Park Crescent and Grosvenor, #68)
TIME: 11:23 PM

FROM: Lodoe-Laura Haines-Wangda
LOCATION: A Quack Cure (Queen’s Park Crescent and Wellesley)
TIME: 11:10 PM

FROM: Lodoe-Laura Haines-Wangda
LOCATION: Nothing is better (Church of the Redeemer, Bloor and Avenue Road, #89)
TIME: 10:47 PM

—Drummers on the move

FROM: Dylan George
LOCATION: South side of Nathan Phillips Square
TIME: 12:14 AM

A few more shots of Ai Weiwei’s installation…

FROM: Dylan George
LOCATION: Forever Bicycles (Nathan Phillips Square, #1)
TIME: 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.

FROM: Ryan West
LOCATION: Queen Mother Cafe
TIME: 3:09 AM

FROM: Dylan George
LOCATION: Howl (University south of Wellington, #48)
TIME: 9:36 PM

FROM: Dylan George
LOCATION: Pink Punch (First Canadian Place, #29)
TIME: 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.

FROM: Dylan George
LOCATION: The Trappings of Power (David Pecaut Square, #51)
TIME: 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.

FROM: Jamie Bradburn
LOCATION: Queen’s Park Crescent
TIME: 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.”

FROM: David Hains
LOCATION: University Avenue
TIME: 1:41 AM

—”…Is it art?”

FROM: Dylan George
LOCATION: Nathan Phillips Square
TIME: 1:59 AM

FROM: Dylan George
LOCATION: Music Box (University and Armoury, #14)
TIME: 1:54 AM

And someone has spiked the fountain at University and Richmond with bubble bath.

FROM: Steve Kupferman
LOCATION: University and Richmond
TIME: 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.

FROM: Ryan West
LOCATION: TIFF Bell Lightbox (#53 to #58)
TIME: 1:46 AM

FROM: Lodoe-Laura Haines-Wangda
LOCATION: Rumbling Drumlins (University south of College, #61)
TIME: 11:35 PM

Overheard: “I’m getting my second wind. Let’s go f—kin’ do this.”

FROM: Jamie Bradburn
LOCATION: Toaster Work Wagon (Off to a flying start, #9)
TIME: 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.

FROM: David Hains
TIME: 1:29 AM

It is what it says on the sign.

FROM: Steve Kupferman, with photos by Lodoe-Laura Haines-Wangda
LOCATION: There is an elephant in the truck (Queen’s Park Crescent and Grosvenor Street, #69)
TIME: 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.

FROM: Corbin Smith
LOCATION: The Other Side of the Gardiner (Bathurst and Fort York Boulevard, #94)
TIME: 1:20 AM

FROM: Lodoe-Laura Haines-Wangda
LOCATION: Everyday Marvels (Gardiner Museum, #84)
TIME: 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.

FROM: David Hains
LOCATION: A Quack Cure (Queen’s Park Crescent and Wellesley, #73)
TIME: 1:07 AM

Congrats on making it halfway through #snbTO! Only six more hours of this all-night contemporary art thing.

— Torontoist (@torontoist) October 6, 2013

FROM: Twitter user @Torontoist
TIME: 1:02 AM

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.

FROM: Ryan West
LOCATION: 12 Hour Dolly (TIFF Bell Lightbox, #53)
TIME: 1:03 AM

FROM: Dylan George
LOCATION: Tanks (David Pecaut Square, #50)
TIME: 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.”

FROM: David Hains
LOCATION: HYBRID GLOBE (Queen’s Park Crescent and St. Joseph Street, #75)
TIME: 12:50 AM

I've been to raves where Ive been body checked less. #snbto

— Andrea Houston (@dreahouston) October 6, 2013

FROM: Twitter user @dreahouston
TIME: 12:43 AM

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.)

FROM: Steve Kupferman, with photo by Lodoe-Laura Haines-Wangda
LOCATION: Paper Orbs (University and Armoury, #17)
TIME: 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.

FROM: Hamutal Dotan
LOCATION: My Virtual Dream (144 College Street, #63)
TIME: 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.

FROM: David Hains
LOCATION: Everyday Marvels (Gardiner Museum, #84)
TIME: 12:28 AM

FROM: Dylan George
LOCATION: Shrine (King west of Yonge, #43)
TIME: 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.

FROM: Jamie Bradburn
LOCATION: Trinity Bellwoods Park
TIME: 12:14 AM

A pair of hockey fans attempt Toaster Work Wagon. Go team.

FROM: Steve Kupferman
LOCATION: Toaster Work Wagon (361 University Avenue, #9)
TIME: 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.

FROM: Stephanie Avery
LOCATION: Johnnyland Submerged
TIME: 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.

FROM: Corbin Smith
LOCATION: Johnnyland Submerged (Scadding Court)
TIME: 12:02 AM

Almost definitely a significant amount of public underage drinking happening here.

FROM: Corbin Smith
LOCATION: Johnnyland Submerged (Bathurst and Dundas)
TIME: 12:00 AM