Come Up to My Room preview: get a sneak peek of the Gladstone Hotel’s annual design show
Come Up to My Room preview: get a sneak peek of the Gladstone Hotel’s annual design show
By Stefania Yarhi | January 28, 2011
By Stefania Yarhi | 01/28/2011
“Dollar Store Triptych” by Mark McLean (All images: Stefania Yarhi)
We were lucky enough to get an advance look at some of the work being set up at the Gladstone Hotel for Come Up to My Room. Some of the artists and designers have taken more radical approaches than in previous years, including the erection of huge installation pieces and maybe a little social commentary on the Dollar Store. Check out some of the exhibitions here, with our slide show »
54159 “3’s Company” by Frank De Jong presents 3 blocks of wood crafted as furniture as a means of exploring functional objects artistically. Frank De Jong https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3133.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3133.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3133.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/culture/come-up-to-my-room-preview-get-a-sneak-peek-of-the-gladsone-hotels-annual-design-show/slide/img_3133/ img_3133 0 0
“3’s Company” by Frank De Jong presents 3 blocks of wood crafted as furniture as a means of exploring functional objects artistically.
54157 This installation fills the room with what looks a machine wrapped in plastic for shipping. Inside, layers upon layers of objects: woods, metals, lights, all work harmoniously, playing on concepts of time and energy. Derek Lin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3125.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3125.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3125.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/culture/come-up-to-my-room-preview-get-a-sneak-peek-of-the-gladsone-hotels-annual-design-show/slide/img_3125/ img_3125 0 0
This installation fills the room with what looks a machine wrapped in plastic for shipping. Inside, layers upon layers of objects: woods, metals, lights, all work harmoniously, playing on concepts of time and energy.
54160 Everyday objects take flight and turn the viewers’ eyes up, towards the sky, and melding form and function. Rob Southcott https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3135.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3135.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3135.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/culture/come-up-to-my-room-preview-get-a-sneak-peek-of-the-gladsone-hotels-annual-design-show/slide/img_3135/ img_3135 0 0
Everyday objects take flight and turn the viewers’ eyes up, towards the sky, and melding form and function.
54162 The little soldiers painted white and baby blue for “Dollar Store Triptych” are a social comment speared by the low prices of our socio-economic landscape. The recognizable toys lose their meaning to take on that of the artist’s. Mark McLean https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3138.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3138.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3138.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/culture/come-up-to-my-room-preview-get-a-sneak-peek-of-the-gladsone-hotels-annual-design-show/slide/img_3138/ img_3138 0 0
The little soldiers painted white and baby blue for “Dollar Store Triptych” are a social comment speared by the low prices of our socio-economic landscape. The recognizable toys lose their meaning to take on that of the artist’s.
54164 The artist, is a Chinese immigrant, took a look at women from her own community with “Face to Face.” The show consists of imposing photos of the girl who immigrated to the woman today, filtering time and space between the two. Xiaojing Yan https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3141.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3141.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3141.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/culture/come-up-to-my-room-preview-get-a-sneak-peek-of-the-gladsone-hotels-annual-design-show/slide/img_3141/ img_3141 0 0
The artist, is a Chinese immigrant, took a look at women from her own community with “Face to Face.” The show consists of imposing photos of the girl who immigrated to the woman today, filtering time and space between the two.
54165 This alcove is straight from a ’60s sci-fi movie. Cocoon-like papier-mâché balloons take over the space and there’s a feeling of encroachment as the balls seem to spread and taking over. Rina Grosman and Vivien Cheng https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3145.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3145.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3145.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/culture/come-up-to-my-room-preview-get-a-sneak-peek-of-the-gladsone-hotels-annual-design-show/slide/img_3145/ img_3145 0 0
This alcove is straight from a ’60s sci-fi movie. Cocoon-like papier-mâché balloons take over the space and there’s a feeling of encroachment as the balls seem to spread and taking over.
54166 “Chaos Theory” looks at the possibilities and limitations between chaos and order. Becky Lane and Chrissy Poitras https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3161.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3161.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3161.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/culture/come-up-to-my-room-preview-get-a-sneak-peek-of-the-gladsone-hotels-annual-design-show/slide/img_3161/ img_3161 0 0
“Chaos Theory” looks at the possibilities and limitations between chaos and order.
54167 Walk into a dark room, past the curtain to an envelop of wires and twinkling lights. Like entering into a matrix, “De-Spaced” lives between architectural space and its function. Studio 1:1 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3163.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3163.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3163.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/culture/come-up-to-my-room-preview-get-a-sneak-peek-of-the-gladsone-hotels-annual-design-show/slide/img_3163/ img_3163 0 0
Walk into a dark room, past the curtain to an envelop of wires and twinkling lights. Like entering into a matrix, “De-Spaced” lives between architectural space and its function.
54168 “Escapes III” focuses on the recognizable (the fire escapes), then miniaturizes its 3-D construct and transforming its space. Jen Spinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3164.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3164.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3164.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/culture/come-up-to-my-room-preview-get-a-sneak-peek-of-the-gladsone-hotels-annual-design-show/slide/img_3164/ img_3164 0 0
“Escapes III” focuses on the recognizable (the fire escapes), then miniaturizes its 3-D construct and transforming its space.
54169 McCavour uses her sewing machine to thread together fabric dissolved by water. Each piece strung from the ceiling spatially reflects a room that feels fragile enough to disintegrate right before you. Amanda McCavour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3168.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3168.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3168.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/culture/come-up-to-my-room-preview-get-a-sneak-peek-of-the-gladsone-hotels-annual-design-show/slide/img_3168/ img_3168 0 0
McCavour uses her sewing machine to thread together fabric dissolved by water. Each piece strung from the ceiling spatially reflects a room that feels fragile enough to disintegrate right before you.
54170 This machinery negotiates order from chaos. What looks like endless knobs, lights and moving parts work together in a loop. Patrick Svilans https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3173.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3173.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3173.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/culture/come-up-to-my-room-preview-get-a-sneak-peek-of-the-gladsone-hotels-annual-design-show/slide/img_3173/ img_3173 0 0
This machinery negotiates order from chaos. What looks like endless knobs, lights and moving parts work together in a loop.
54171 “It’s a loop,” we’re told as we walk through “Home Is Where.” There is no end or beginning. The room contains prized possessions and everyday objects as clues to the person that’s not there. Jana Macalik, John Peterson and Diana Watters https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3175.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3175.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3175.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/culture/come-up-to-my-room-preview-get-a-sneak-peek-of-the-gladsone-hotels-annual-design-show/slide/img_3175/ img_3175 0 0
“It’s a loop,” we’re told as we walk through “Home Is Where.” There is no end or beginning. The room contains prized possessions and everyday objects as clues to the person that’s not there.
54173 “Treehugger” prompts viewers to “Hug Me!” challenging urban-minded concrete-dwellers. Map Collective, Andrew Chau and Patricia Joong https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3184.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3184.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3184.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/culture/come-up-to-my-room-preview-get-a-sneak-peek-of-the-gladsone-hotels-annual-design-show/slide/img_3184/ img_3184 0 0
“Treehugger” prompts viewers to “Hug Me!” challenging urban-minded concrete-dwellers.