Partners in Art Raises over $120,000 in support of the Power Plant’s Commissioning Program
Partners in Art and The Power Plant joined forces for an evening of cocktails and art in support of The Power Plant’s commissioning program for 2008/2009. Over 400 art enthusiasts, curators, collectors and art patrons turned out for the event on November 5, and more than $120 000 was raised for the program.
Artrageous, chaired by Tamara Bahry Paterson and Jennifer Tanenbaum, featured an eclectic mix of unique food and interactive art, and several surprises that helped make the evening “the best art party of the year,” and “an elegant, interactive and intimate evening reminiscent of an art salon.”
Neal Noble’s firm Noble Culinary Catering set the “artrageous” tone with exotically displayed and delectable food including candied lady apples, shrimp displayed on intricate iron topiary trees and sushi laid amongst orchids on giant ice block tables. Interactive installations kept guests busy throughout the evening: a light box supplied by the Canadian Film Centre displayed steaming words when touched, and a giant magnetic board with various sized letters saw an everchanging mix of political and poetic phrases. Guests sipped sparkling rose while tunes by dj Erik Ling set the tone. And, perhaps in the most “artrageous” gesture of all, a bathing woman helped to illustrate one of the unique art multiples for sale; Scott Lyall’s Seul (Alone) which consists of a hand-blown glass ball filled with pigmented bath salts. Other art multiples from Luis Jacob and Tonik Wojtyra were available for purchase.
Scott Lyall’s commissioned work “The Color Ball” is the centerpiece of a major solo exhibition of the same name, on view at The Power Plant until November 23rd, 2008. The artist was on hand at the party to take guests through the installation.
Funds raised by this party spectacular will support The Power Plant and help realize two major commissions for the gallery: Toronto-based artist Scott Lyall in 2008, and South Africa-based artist Candice Breitz in 2009. Launched in 2006, The Power Plant Commissioning Program is linked to The Power Plant’s strategic plan to produce at least one major new art work of international significance per year and thus incubate major art projects that might not otherwise see the light of day. As Canada’s leading non-collecting contemporary art gallery, the commissioning of major new projects is a distinctive and important role for The Power Plant.
Generous support for this event and The Power Plant’s commissioning program has been provided by lead sponsor UBS and others including BMO Financial Group, Delaney Capital Management, TD Securities, Aastra Telecom and Ray and Berndtson Lovas Stanley.
