a weekly list of Toronto art exhibition openings and events 009
November 12th to November 17th, 2024
Have you seen these bronze and copper plaques around downtown Toronto?
Toronto artist and political activist Rocky Dobey has been installing public street art in Toronto for over four decades now, having begun with postering and graffiti in the mid 1970s for progressive political causes like Anti-Globalization, Reclaim the Streets, Prison Justice, and Harm Reduction. His third solo show with Gagné Contemporary opened on November 8, 2024, at their new 401 Richmond Street West location, steps away from the etched metal memorial plaques along the neighbouring streets of (but not limited to) Spadina, Queen, Dundas, and College.
Titled Civilization and its Discontents, a reference to Freud’s book published in 1930, Rocky’s exhibition shows a collection of new, large-scale works which examine the tensions between the conditions of one’s society and an individual’s instincts as they relate to societal and civic concerns.
The exhibition will be up until December 7, 2024. It’s a striking show. Let me know if you spot any of Rocky’s plaques around the city!
As always, this week’s openings and events with links below.
Wednesday, November 13th
In Conversation with Micah Lexier, at The Annex Building, 113 McCaul Street (MCC 530). 5 - 7 PM.
Joan and Martin Goldfarb Gallery of York University Grand Opening (formerly the AGYU). 7 PM - 10 PM.
Propeller Art Gallery Opening: Ruth Maude and Frances Patella. 2 PM - 5 PM.
Thursday, November 14th
Toronto Biennial of Art, In Conversation: Morris Lum & Arlene Chan | Chinatown In Photos. 7 PM - 8:15 PM.
Zalucky Contemporary Opening: Sarah Khan, Zameen Kha Jai Gee Asmaan (the earth will devour the sky). 6 PM - 8 PM.
MOCA: An Evening with Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas. 6:30 PM - 9 PM.
Artspace TMU: Creative Market Opening. 1 PM - 6 PM.
Friday, November 15th
Paul Petro Opening: Boring Earth, shell sounding long. 7 PM - 10 PM.
Paul Petro Opening: Michael Dumont, Za zay gaa mitig. 7 PM - 10 PM.
100 Garage Opening: Patrick Etherington and Jiayi Jacob Zhang, Public Domain. 7 - 10 PM. 100 Palmerston Avenue (Back Alley).
Saturday, November 16th
Nicholas Metivier Opening: John Scott, Avatar. 1 PM - 3 PM.
Nicholas Metivier Opening: Ann Macintosh Duff, 1925 - 2022. 1 PM - 3 PM.
Gallery TPW Poetry Reading Group, Tender Possibilities with Poet-in-Residence. 2 PM - 3:30 PM.
Mira Godard Gallery Opening: Atlantic Light: Alex Colville, Tom Forrestall, Rockwell Kent, Christopher Pratt, Mary Pratt.
Panel: Foils, by Undercurrents Forum, hosted at Top Top Projects. 2 PM - 4 PM.
Toronto Biennial of Art Workshop: Memex Room: Reindexing the Archive. 7 PM - 9 PM.
Thanks for reading! I will continue to update throughout the week — send me openings and events you’re hosting on Instagram at @calabrees7. New list every Monday.