By now, you’ve definitely scrolled past – and maybe even “liked” – photos of your friends, family, acquaintances, and people you barely know striking their most Instagram-worthy pose in front of the larger-than-life installations at The Happy Place.
The traveling exhibit of all things “happy” – which can accurately be described as an Instagram playland – took over the space at Harbourfront Centre (245 Queens Quay W) on November 1, where it will remain until January 1.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpiUmrHAGRW/
Here, you can frolic in the middle of the world’s largest confetti dome, leap through a larger-than-life rainbow into a pot of happiness (colourful plastic balls), hop inside the signature rubber ducky bathtub of fun, pose next to seven-foot tall stilettos made out of a million candies, mow down on a gooey rainbow grilled cheese, or sip Happy Hot Chocolate.
The common theme is photo ops – and likely snapping them in front of a dozen people who are waiting for you to finish so that they can do the same.
If you didn’t quite get enough of your ‘like’-worthy photo fix at The Happy Place, you’ll find more Instagram material over in the St. Lawrence Market neighborhood at the shiny new Museum of Illusions (132 Front St. E). The spot – which opened its doors to the public on November 7 – admittedly doesn’t look like much from the outside, with an unassuming turquoise sign. Inside, however, is a different story, as the large-scale optical illusions blow your mind and offer the perfect backdrop for a photo.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpxrt9ABXjA/
In the 80+ exhibits – which are all based on science, math, and psychology – include things like trippy vortex tunnels (you may want to take advantage of the legalization of weed beforehand), tilted rooms, reverse rooms, an infinity room, and other holograms and illusions. But, I likely don’t have to describe these, as the photo ops they offer have already started to grace your Instagram feed. The museum – which has locations in 14 cities around the world – has been met with massive popularity since its first location opened in 2015 in 2015 in Zagreb, Croatia.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqPthSOhWQp/
On the topic of massive popularity, by now you may have heard that there is currently a crowdfunding campaign underway to bring a permanent infinity room to the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), following the success of its “Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors” exhibition. The hugely Instagram friendly – and perpetually sold-out – exhibit of seemingly never-ending mirrored rooms hit the AGO last spring. Now, fans have until November 30 to help the gallery reach its target of $1.3 million toward the $2-million purchase of the permanent room. The AGO has secured $1 million for the plan but needs public’s assistance to produce $300,000 to help pay for ancillaries.
Of course, it isn’t just the exhibitions that cater to Instagram in Toronto.
We are designing for the photo op when it comes to everything from food and bathrooms at new restaurants, to the design of our public space.
Whether becoming a social media-saturated city has its benefits – especially when it comes to tourism and supporting local businesses (like the ones with the over-the-top ice cream cones) – at what cost are we designing for the gram, resulting in homogenous, ultimately uncreative content for everyone who buys into it (and I am definitely guilty of buying into it myself)?
At very least, I think we can all agree that the “Instagram bait” has its appeal when it’s new and fresh. But after a while, most of us are sick of seeing the same backdrops on our newsfeed, with the only difference between the snaps being a new person striking a (slightly) different pose. In other words, if you want to check out The Happy Place or The Museum of Illusions, I recommend you do so now while the content is still relatively “fresh.”
Featured image: Instagram/ @wearehappyplace
Toronto’s AGO Bistro has been channeling its inner Yayo Kusama and creating food that replicates her art. The food looks pretty in pictures but it’s one of those things you have to see in person. Taste infinity through the menu – Head to caféAGO for a Japanese-themed Bento box, available each day in limited quantities. Make sure to get there early to ensure they don’t sell out!
Ponzu and yuzu-roasted salmon, chicken or tofu with Chef’s choice vegetables, soba noodle wrap, and bean curd pockets (Image by the AGO)
Sit back and enjoy afternoon tea (filled with dots) thanks to a Kusuma-themed menu with strong Japanese influences. Try the chicken katsu sliders or the Obliteration Cheesecake for dessert. AGO Members can come every Saturday and Sunday, noon and 2:30 pm. Find out more.
(Image by the AGO)
Chai cheesecake with blueberry, strawberry and pineapple coulis (Image by the AGO)
“In AGO Bistro, we chose to concentrate on the types of food that Kusama herself would have enjoyed at home or in her studio as she created her masterpieces,” said Chef Renée Bellefeuille. “With that as our inspiration, we built a prix fixe that reflects Kusama’s Japanese heritage.” The AGO Bistro will be serving unique Japanese flavours inspired by the Chef.
Selection of meats, fish, or vegetarian with seasoned sushi rice, sesame broccolini, mushroom potato soup and a choux au craquelin for dessert (Image by the AGO)
Get the Chef’s prix fixe lunch for $38 per person and pair it with a Kusama-themed cocktail. They recommend an Obliteration Fizz complete with rum, Calpico soda, fresh yuzu juice and fruit caviar. Book your meal today!
(Image by the AGO)
Before you leave there is even a pastry pop-up in shopAGO that will include Japanese-inspired matcha mouse cake, and yuzu and black sesame macarons. (**Limited quantities each day**)
Featured Image: (Creme Brule Goat Cheese) The AGO
Source: Artmatters.ca
Are you going to try out any Kusama-inspired tasty treats?
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8 Fun Free Events In Toronto This March
So, 2018 is clearly off to a brutal start weather-wise in Toronto. While the appeal of a hibernation season of perpetual sweatpants, Netflix, and a comfy couch is real, so is the stir-craziness when it all gets old.
The good news is, the city is full of unique activities that you’ll only find in Toronto – ones worth posting about and taking a break from the Netflix binge for.
Check Out One of the World’s Most Instagram-Worthy Art Exhibits
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd5165MBNe4/?hl=en&tagged=infinitekusama
Just before the ice begins to thaw in Toronto, Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrors will take over the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) with its floor-to-ceiling, mirror-lined, and totally Instagram-worthy (check out the #infinitekusama hashtag) kaleidoscopic rooms from March 3 to May 27. After sold-out stints in Washington, D.C., Seattle and Los Angeles in the past year, the immersive exhibit is one of the hottest tickets in Toronto this winter (as in, you’re lucky to get your hands on a pair unless you have connections). Read more about the exhibit here.
Experience Dracula in a Whole New Way
Toronto is about to get a theatrical experience that is unlike anything else the city has seen to date. Inspired by – and with the cast from – New York City’s smash-hit theatrical dance experience Sleep No More, Eve of St. George is a voyeuristic and immersive recreation of Bram Stoker’s captivating tale of Dracula. It’s the type of theatre even the theatre newbies will appreciate, as the audience is masked and set free to roam four levels of The Great Hall while the story unfolds around and interacts with them. There will be four performances beginning January 26.
Acquaint Yourself with the Vikings
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ1O7cfBn4X/?hl=en&taken-by=romtoronto
Get up close and personal with everything Viking-related at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) now through April 2. Vikings: The Exhibition offers a fresh and contemporary view into the Viking Age, exploring the facts, myths, and stereotypes associated with the ancient culture. Featuring objects rarely displayed outside of Scandinavia, it offers insight into the lifestyle, religion, and daily lives of the vikings, providing an educational date night or outing with the niece and nephew.
Hit the Distillery District for a Light Show Full of Photo Ops
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Aside from the comfort dish-filled restaurants, you have another reason to hit the Distillery District this winter. Returning for the second year in a row is the Toronto Light Festival, the city’s largest light art festival and one of the largest open-air galleries in North America. The festival features more than 30 light art installations from both local and international artists and runs January 10 to March 4, starting at sundown daily. The event is free to the public (always a welcome bonus).
See Lifeguard Stations Transformed into Works of Art
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQq1MhqhOVL/?hl=en&taken-by=winter.stations
Layer up and hit the beach for Toronto’s annual Winter Stations Design Competition. The playful, photo-worthy exhibit transforms existing lifeguard stations into interesting and conversation-provoking art installations. With a theme of RIOT for 2018, artists are asked to push back and act out after a year of chaos and uncertainty. Winter Stations runs February 19 to April 1.
Experience a Revitalized Ontario Place
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The once defunct (but still super nostalgic) grounds of Ontario Place have been given new life. Winter at Ontario Place transforms Toronto’s waterfront into an interactive event with perks that include a Winter Light Exhibition featuring 12 illuminated installations from local artists, film screenings, skating, a bonfire, and an assortment of other winter-themed activities. Programming runs through March 18 and admission is free.
Did we miss any unique experiences taking place in Toronto this winter? Let us know in the comments!
Featured image: Instagram/ @romtoronto
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Toronto Instagrammers – get your cameras ready! You will be able to get tickets to one of the most anticipated exhibits in the world, Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrors, starting next Tuesday, January 16. Though, it may not be that easy.
Known as “The best Instagram exhibit”, Infinity Mirrors has amassed a huge army of fans from all over the world. And it’s no surprise. The exhibit represents an alternate reality of the Japanese artist filled with visions and hallucinations and is a true paradise for everyone who’s into art, photography (and Instagram, of course.)
The concept of Infinity Mirrors derives from Kusama’s obsession with the idea of “self-obliteration,” which she translated through a number of her works, including “The Obliteration Room” – a white space where visitors could stick bright polka dots wherever they wanted. According to the artist, these dots represent the sun, moon, earth and our universe.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdnfrK_BAM0/?hl=en&tagged=infinityroom
“One day I was looking at the red flower patterns of the tablecloth on a table, and when I looked up I saw the same pattern covering the ceiling, the windows and the walls, and finally all over the room, my body and the universe. I felt as if I had begun to self-obliterate, to revolve in the infinity of endless time and the absoluteness of space, and be reduced to nothingness,” said Kusama about her project.
These visions and emotions are what the artist is trying to express through her art.
According to the website, the tickets will be available to the general public online only through AGO.ca starting 10 a.m. However, if you happen to be a lucky AGO member, you can book your tickets online from January 9 – 12 at 10 a.m. But be prepared, considering the extreme popularity of the exhibit, the tickets are not guaranteed. The website also suggests using the ‘Notify by Email’ function to avoid staying at your computer or on the AGO website while you wait for your turn to book.
Here are some useful tips to get the most out of your AGO visit: Even though it’s very tempting, try to avoid looking at thousands of Infinity Mirrors photos on Instagram beforehand. This way, you’ll be able to get the best first-hand impression of the exhibit. Another good tip: practice taking good selfies quickly, as you will only have 1 minute to get that perfect Instagram shot.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bdvu2RZgzFh/?taken-by=picturethis.to
Are you planning to visit the first Infinity Mirrors exhibit in Toronto? Share with us in the comments!
Featured image: Instagram/@ amandatg1
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