Top 10 holiday gift ideas for culture vultures
November 24th, 2011
Need some holiday gift inspiration? Check out our top 10 holiday must-haves from ShopAGO. We’ve got a wide range of exciting gift options – you can either buy online or come visit us at the Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas Street West, Toronto M5T 1G4.
1. Brushed stainless steel watering can from Born in Sweden ($65)
Stylish and minimal, yet at the same time striking, this innovative design typifies Born in Sweden’s approach; functional, practical and always aesthetically pleasing. It is made of 18-0 stainless steel with a flexible silicone hose. The hose has a built-in magnet that allows it to be attached to the can’s body when not in use. When watering your plants, simply hold the metal cylinder with one hand and the hose in the other. To start or stop the water flow, just move the metal cylinder up or down.
2. Stainless steel ‘Rocker’ garlic press from Joseph Joseph ($20)
The stylish design of this garlic crusher makes the messy task of cooking with garlic much easier. By using downward pressure and a ‘rocking’ motion it crushes garlic cloves quickly and efficiently, forcing the pieces up through the mesh of holes. Once crushed, the garlic pieces are held in the shallow bowl, allowing them to be spooned or scraped easily into a pan. Additional cloves can also be crushed at this stage before emptying.
3. Handmade glass Fishscape fishbowl designed by Aruliden ($153)
If the fish fan in your life isn’t into plastic plants and neon skulls, why not grab them this beautiful fishbowl? The contours of the bowl add an elegant twist to the classic fishbowl shape.
4. Alarm Dock for iPhone or iPod touch designed by Jonas Damon for Areaware ($50)
Remember those faux wood grain GE flip clocks that sat on every bedside table just a couple of decades ago? The Alarm Dock uses a nostalgic product language to meet the progressively thin and disappearing profiles of consumer electronics. It is at once a critique and an accommodation to new technology. Place an iPhone or iPod Touch running a flip clock app onto the dock, and see an iconic and meaningful form return to your nightstand, mantel, or shelf. Your iPhone or iPod’s dock connector can be pulled through it, allowing your device to recharge while docked.
5. The Art Museum by Phaidon Press editors ($225)
The Art Museum is the finest art collection ever assembled between two covers. This revolutionary and unprecedented virtual art museum in a book features 992 oversized pages of nearly 2,700 works of art. It is the most comprehensive and visually spectacular history of world art ever published. Ten years in the making, this unique book was created with a global team of specialists in all fields of art – including museum curators and educators, who have collected together important works as they might be displayed in the ideal museum for the art lover.
6. Faux fur collar + cuffs designed by Heather Campbell ($65-$95)
Superb faux fur lined with geometric printed silk inspired by artist Sonia Delaunay. Help the fashion-conscious lady in your life stay cosy without sacrificing style this winter. Available in red/black, blue/black, grey/black. AVAILABLE IN-STORE
7. ‘Vessel’ earrings designed by Nervous System ($40-$90)
A fine network of vessels defines the surface of these semicircular earrings and serves as a hollow tube for carrying a loop of sterling silver chain. These 3d-printed nylon earrings hang from surgical steel ear wires.
Nervous System is a design studio that works at the intersection of science, art and technology. They create using a novel process that employs computer simulation to generate designs and digital fabrication to realize products. Drawing inspiration from natural phenomena, they write computer programs mimicking processes and patterns found in nature, using those programs to create unique jewelry.
8. All Natural Clementine Modelling Dough ($12.95)
Strawberry, lemon and lime – fresh, natural scents in a soft, crumble-free, all natural dough for little hands. Coloured with tumeric, carmine and spinach. Three recyclable 4 oz containers. Lasts for more than 12 months when stored in our airtight containers. Ingredients: flour, water, salt, soybean oil, cream of tartar, natural glycerin, natural scent extracts, natural colours (tumeric, carmine and spinach), calcium propionate. Other art supplies (pictured) also available.
9. Mini speaki speakers by DOMA ($18.95)
He may be small in size, but there is nothing small about the sound performance of the MiNi SPEAKi. Simply charge him up with your computer and he’s ready to be your sound companion wherever you go! Ideal for iPods, MP3 Players, computers…anything with an audio jack.
10. POP phones designed by David Turpin for Native Union ($40)
Styled by French designer David Turpin, the POP handset combines classic style with a contemporary edge and is finished with a luxurious soft-touch texture.
The handset has been manufactured with a high quality speaker and microphone and can be used with all mobile phones when fitted with the correct adaptor (sold separately) and when fitted with a USB adaptor (sold separately) can be used for VOIP computer telephone calls (Skype, Google Talk…). This product is fitted with a 3.5mm jack (compatible with the iPhone)
Available in 6 colours
Jeanne Beker in the hot seat for AGO’s fourth Twitter Interview.
November 18th, 2011
‘Nice To Tweet You’ is a regular series that connects our Twitter followers with artists, curators, speakers and experts. Tweet your questions to @AGOToronto using the #NTTY hashtag, or leave a comment on our Facebook page, and the best will be put forward to whoever’s in the hot seat. Answering your questions this week is Jeanne Beker, who is curating a special exhibition for the AGO’s 2nd Annual Collectors Series.
Jeanne Beker wants to answer your questions
Jeanne Beker is an internationally recognised fashion guru, but did you know she is also an avid art collector? It makes sense that a great eye for fashion translates into a great eye for art, but aren’t you curious to know more? This week we’re accepting your questions for Jeanne via Twitter and Facebook – find out how and why she fell in love with the art world, delve into her personal collection and discover which artist she’d pick as ‘one to watch’.
Beker herself is a huge fan of Twitter, you can follow her at @jeanne_beker.
She is currently curating a special exhibition for the AGO’s 2nd Annual Collectors Series. The exhibition in offers a rare glimpse into Beker’s private art collection including paintings, photography, and sculptures. Opening Tuesday, Nov. 29, the Collector’s Series runs until Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 at the AGO’s Art Rental + Sales Gallery, located on the ground floor of 481 University Ave. The Collector’s Series shines a spotlight on the personal art collections of notable Canadians, offering rare opportunities to share their own treasured pieces, as well as to select favourite pieces from the holdings of the Art Rental + Sales Gallery to be featured in the space. These selected works are available to the public for purchase or for rent.
Those wishing to take part can tweet @AGOToronto with their questions using the hashtag #NTTY (nice to tweet you) from now until Sunday, November 27 at 9pm. The top questions will then be selected and put to Beker. Excerpts from the full interview will be shared via @AGOToronto and a complete version will be published on the AGO Art Matters Blog.
About Jeanne Beker:
Born in Toronto, Jeanne Beker began her career in show business at the age of 16 and since then has never looked back. A mother of two teenage girls and fashion guru extraordinaire, today, Jeanne Beker is one of the most iconic and influential women in the fashion industry both here at home and around the world.
Jeanne helped pioneer fashion on the Internet with American communications giant MCI, when she became editorial director of @fashion in 1995 – the web’s first fashion site. And with FashionTelevision.com hitting the one million mark of podcasts downloaded per month, people around the world now have 24-hour access to Jeanne and episodes from Canada’s leading fashion series. For more information, visit www.FashionTelevision.com.
To find out more about the interview please contact Holly Knowlman via email, Twitter or call 416 979 6660 (ext 426)
Members’ Shopping at shopAGO
November 9th, 2011
From November 22th through 27th, AGO Members receive 20% off regular priced merchandise and 15% off jewellery at shopAGO!
Exquisite jewellery. Luxurious art books and catalogues. Unique stocking stuffers. Delightful toys and books for little hands. And much, much more!
As a Member, you always get a discount at shopAGO. During Members’ Shopping Week, drop in often and enjoy the extra savings — just in time for the gift-giving season.
*Regular Member’s Discount is 10%. Promotional discounting of 15% and 20% is in lieu of, not in addition to, regular discount of 10%. Please note, no further discounts apply to previously reduced merchandise, sales items and Mourlot Archival Prints. See Sales Associates in-store for further details.
Special events during the Member’s Shopping Event include:
Sprucewood Shortbread Sampling – Tuesday, November 22nd 12pm to 6pm
Anne Sportun Trunk Show - Wednesday, November 23rd 12pm to 8pm
Jack Chambers: Light, Spirit, Time, Place and Life book signing with Dennis Reid
Wednesday, November 23rd 6pm – 8pm
Dandi Maestre – Friday, November 25th 12pm to 4pm
He Named Her Amber book launch with Iris Haussler and David Moos
Saturday, November 26th 2pm to 4pm
Always Unique! Artisan Works
November 4th, 2011
Visit shopAGO for one-of-a-kind glass, ceramic and wood works by local and international artisans, including:
Always Unique! Jewellery
November 4th, 2011
Visit shopAGO for one-of-a-kind jewellery, including works by:
Nice To Tweet You: An interview with Gary Taxali
September 21st, 2011
‘Nice To Tweet You’ is a regular series that connects our Twitter followers with artists, curators, speakers and experts. Tweet your questions to @agoToronto using the #NTTY hashtag and the best will be put forward to whoever’s in the hot seat. Answering your questions this week is iconic Toronto artist Gary Taxali, who joins us at the AGO on September 21 from 6pm to sign copies of his new books, Mono Taxali and I Love You, OK.
Gary Taxali will be joining us later on this evening at ShopAGO to meet with fans and sign copies of his two new publications, Mono Taxali and I Love You, OK? Taxali is an award winning artist, illustrator and toy designer who has exhibited in North America and Europe and appeared in countless publications.
Random Taxali fact: He was nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for his work on Aimee Mann’s album, @#%&*! Smilers,
All last week you’ve been busy tweeting us your questions for Gary. We picked a couple (and snuck in one of our own) to put to him. Read on to find out what he had to say…
@AlanaArmstrong Gary, what are you doing when you’re procrastinating?
I don’t know what procrastinating means! I only say that because I always have so many projects, shows, etc that I am working on so procrastination is a luxury I cannot afford. I also think that the more one works on something, the more ideas are bound to surface. Therefore, my issue is more a shortage of time and what ideas shall I pick from a bottomless well that are worthy of exploring. I imagine that all working artists go through this.
@MiriamFitting Is there a show in the future?
I have a solo show slated for next spring. It opens on April 26th at The Outsiders Gallery in London, UK. (It’s also known as Lazarides Greek St)
I don’t like to get hung up on labels but in terms of being an accurate descriptor for my vocation, most of time is spent working on gallery shows so “fine artist” would be an accurate term. That said, I am in love with illustration and if the project is something that I would enjoy doing, I’ll certainly take it.
Many times, there are crossover projects like the time I did a Converse ad and they essentially asked me to do whatever I wanted and would print it no matter what. Since my name and short bio was on the ad, it was more of a fine art application under the guise of illustration. A very ideal situation, really!
Find out more about Gary Taxali’s appearance at the AGO.
To find out more about the interview please contact Holly Knowlman via email, Twitter or call 416 979 6660 (ext 426)
Gary Taxali back at the AGO for book signing
September 7th, 2011
NOTE: THIS EVENT IS TAKING PLACE ON WEDNESDAY 21 SEPTEMBER, NOT THURSDAY 22 SEPTEMBER AS ORIGINALLY ADVERTISED
GARY TAXALI BOOK SIGNING AT THE AGO
Wednesday September 21, 18:00 – 21:00
Internationally celebrated artist Gary Taxali is returning to the AGO to sign copies of his two new books, ‘I Love You, OK?’ and ‘Mono Taxali’.
“I Love You, Ok?” is a distinctive collection, showcasing one of illustration’s most original stars. Inspired by vintage comics and period advertisements, Gary Taxali tweaks conventional styling and context to cast light on life’s constant paradoxes.
“Mono Taxali” contains many of Taxali’s fine art pieces and is a vivid and stunning pop culture homage for anyone who is a Taxali fan. Taxali’s imagery crosses between high brow art and low brow/pop surrealism with ease.
Join us at shopAGO between 18:00 and 21:00 on Wednesday September 21 to meet the artist and get your copies of the book signed.
Gary Taxali is an award-winning illustrator and fine artist. He is known for taking his unique characters, graphics, symbols and icons and intertwining them to produce works of fine art. His signature pop culture works are infused with 1930s-style packaging, posters, typography and advertising with original and sophisticated characters and graphics onto distressed surfaces.
Both books will be available to buy from shopAGO along with other Gary Taxali merchandise.
Celebrated artist Shepard Fairey describes Taxali as “… one of those rare artists whose work is immediately inviting and familiar, yet idiosyncratic and unmistakable …. The illustrations are beautiful both as images and fluid, abstract mark making… Taxali’s fluid integration of both illustration and art, or illustration as art, is a testament to the strength of his vision”.
More about Gary Taxali:
www.garytaxali.com
www.taxali.com
www.taxalionline.com/blog
Join the AGO on Twitter
http://www.twitter.com/AGO
Fun Gadgets from DOMA
June 18th, 2011
New to shopAGO, these small, brightly coloured gadgets are a great gift idea — for yourself or others!
‘Mini Speaki’ portable speakers, $18.95 each (purchase online here)
‘Mini DV’ digital video cameras, $49.95 (purchase online here)
‘Mini Torch’ LED mini flashlights, $14.95 (purchase online here)
Shop online or visit us in-store!
Saturday ArtSpeak Series: Merge (Audio)
April 27th, 2011
Click to play:
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Recorded: Saturday, April 16, 2011 @ AGO Art Rental + Sales Gallery
Duration: 56:24
In conjunction with Merge, an annual exhibition showcasing emerging artists, Pamela Chang recently spoke with three Toronto based arts professionals about what you need to know to stay on top of the rising stars in the art market. This year’s exhibition featured works by Tristram Lansdowne, Jenn Law, Bogdan Luca, Amanda Nedham, Meryl McMaster and Alex McLeod.
ArtSpeak Participants:
Wil Kucey, owner/director, Le Gallery
Bill Clarke, Executive Editor of Magenta and art collector
Trish Boon, artist, arts educator, and arts writer
About the ArtSpeak Series
AR+SG host a series of FREE intimate discussions on the 3rd Saturday of the month, at 1:00 pm. Jennifer Bhogal, Coordinator of AR+SG, sits down with 3-4 prominent figures in the arts community to discuss an issue related to the exhibition on view. Everyone is welcome.
About the Art Rental + Sales Gallery
Since 1965, The Art Gallery of Ontario’s Art Rental + Sales Gallery (AR+SG) has consigned artwork from Toronto’s top galleries and independent artists, including Olga Korper Gallery, Stephen Bulger Gallery, Bau-Xi Gallery, Georgia Scherman Projects, Feheley Fine Arts, Diaz Contemporary, and many more, totaling over 40 galleries, and more than 50 independent artists. Our entire rotating inventory of over 500 works is available for rent to AGO members (memberships available at AR+SG) and for purchase to everyone.
Clementine Art – Natural Art Products for Kids
March 8th, 2011
Visit shopAGO for a selection of Clementine Art natural art supplies – crayons, glue, markers, paints and modeling dough – with no chemicals or additives.
The Clementine Story (courtesy clementineart.com)
Once upon a time there was a teacher who loved art. She was wild about colours, from paint to pom-poms; she was thrilled about children, with so many good ideas; and she was especially ecstatic when children and art frolicked together at Clementine Studio, an art space for children in Boulder, CO.
Those creative children at Clementine Studio often got just a wee bit messy. They got paint in their hair, on their hands and feet, and even in their mouths! This made the teacher (named Diana) wonder what was in those art materials. The label only said the materials were non-toxic.
Is non-toxic good enough for these marvelous and magical children?” she wondered. She fretted about what chemicals, dyes and additives were in the art supplies that she didn’t know about.
So she rolled up her sleeves and began to make play dough and paint from natural ingredients in her kitchen. She used simple items like flour, earth colourings and water to make recipes. Today, Diana and Clementine Art are proud to introduce a full line of natural paint, glue, modeling dough, crayons and markers that are simple, natural and real.