Toronto Nuit Blanche 2015

I had Saturday, October 3rd marked in my calendar for this year's Nuit Blanche. Last year was my first to participate in the event and it was more fun than I expected, so I'm determined to attend this year.

Last year I stumbled upon was the 401 Richmond building. The building was an art hub. I wanted to do that printmaking again but didn't know Open Studio would open this year to the public. So I went down there to find out. There were more people here than last year. I think word of mouth had spread that this place has more arts to see than other spots in the city.

I went to the end of the building and found that Open Studio was open. I believed my friends would love to do printmaking too. But timing wasn't permitting, the studio will close in an hour at midnight and already had a long line-up of people waiting.

When it was my turn, I rolled up my sleeves and began to rub colors on the plate. My print last year was all dark and gloomy, so this time I will stay away from black and blue. I sticked with mostly red and brown. Feeling creative, I swiped the plate with a cotton swab to form a writing "I Heart T.O" in reverse. I preferred to dot my TO with one dot and not two like most people would do. I find two dots too cluttered and draw attention to themselves.

After printing, I got the image below. Greedy, I wanted to do another one with the writing lowered to the center or to the bottom, but the line up was getting longer and longer, and only a dozen more minutes to closing time, so I signed the picture, had it embossed and wrapped up, I was content and exited the studio.

Now I could see the arts on my way out of the building and back onto the streets.

Mood balloons. Write what's on your mind, anchor & strew on the floor if it's sad. Let float to the ceiling if it's happy. Mine's the green one, on the floor.

Paper planes wall scupture - video 1.7mb.

With the monoprint in hand, I then went along the 401 building and viewed art. Massive amount of people. Among them appeared Olivia Chow, she was running for city Mayor. When I had a moment alone with her outside the building, I told her I stumbled into her late husband Jack Layton's grave while went for a walk in Riverdale. She asked if the sculpture resembles him. I didn't know she had made that and said: from the front. From the front! She laughed out loud.

Torontonian's faces plastered over the sign - video 1.65mb

Past midnight, it was time to party. The village was calling. Headed to Zipperz. My usual group of friends were already there. I showed them the monoprint, they were impressed and hated me for not calling them down. The club was packed. People lined up outside waiting to get in. Tonight the city was alive. We danced into the wee hours.

Nuit Blanche continued into the day. Lady plantastic wearing a dress of live plants. She complained: I was naked and cold, this dress took too long to grow; Trim something, I look bushy; I wet myself constantly.

Don't know if she was part of Nuit Blanche. Stumbled into her and assumed she was.

You take the happy balloons, I'll take this one. Who cares if he doesn't have a head. He's got everything you need in a man.

My green balloon would have floated had I seen this first.