FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2014, KLEINBURG ON – The internationally recognized, Beijing-born, Canadian-raised artist Terence Koh will present two intriguing new works entitled tomorrow’s snow and a way to the light on the grounds of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection from Friday, June 6 to Friday, June 13, 2014, produced and commissioned as part of the Luminato Festival, one of the preeminent arts festivals in North America.
The works represent Koh’s first solo showing in Canada since his student days and, coupled with his recent move out of New York, mark the beginning of a new phase for the multidisciplinary artist. Reflecting themes of spirituality, memory, and imagination, the pieces will incorporate the serenity of the McMichael grounds to create a unique and unforgettable experience.
Taking place outdoors at night, tomorrow’s snow is a brief, beautiful performative glimpse of a momentary image. Inspired by a passage from Margaret Atwood’s novel Cat’s Eye, the piece will recreate the look of freshly fallen snow, with an 8-year-old boy and girl, dressed in white, making snow angels. a way to the light is a tribute to Canadian artist and writer Emily Carr, set in the Artists’ Cemetery on the McMichael grounds.
Each evening, a performance will take place at 9:30 pm, preceded by a series of ancillary presentations at 8:15 pm complementing Koh’s works. Luminato Festival will offer transportation to audiences from downtown Toronto to the McMichael for an additional fee. A picnic meal curated by Koh will be available for purchase at the gallery prior to the performance.
“The McMichael is extremely excited to partner with the Luminato Festival to showcase the work of Terence Koh, an exceptional Canadian contemporary artist who has made his mark on the international art scene,” said McMichael CEO and Executive Director, Victoria Dickenson. “The gallery is also pleased to play an integral role in bringing this world-class festival to the City of Vaughan.”
“I cannot believe that this is Terence Koh’s first solo show in Canada. When he sent me his idea of converting a summer landscape into a winter landscape, I immediately loved it—yet the producer in me right away asked ‘what public park in Toronto would let us do this?’ When I visited the McMichael gallery it hit me—this is where Terence’s piece has to come to life. The McMichael is the home of the Canadian landscape and it collects all the things that artists throughout the centuries have seen in this country which is of the most magnificent nature. Artists make us see things differently, they make us feel differently, and therefore make us be different,” said Jorn Weisbrodt, Artistic Director, Luminato Festival.
The partnership was announced at a press conference held at the gallery on Wednesday, April 9, organized by the McMichael, the Luminato Festival, and the City of Vaughan.
“It’s been a great experience working with the Luminato Festival to bring this exciting event to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, the first time the arts festival has chosen an arts venue outside of Toronto,” said Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, City of Vaughan. “It is through art, in its many forms, that we tell the stories of our community and share them with the world. Artists make our lives richer and help us build a more diverse community. We proudly celebrate our City’s many artistic and cultural initiatives, like the McMichael, and how they contribute to the cultural mosaic that makes up our city.”
“This year, the Luminato Festival is particularly excited to be working with a diverse range of organizations and artists to bring unparalleled cultural experiences to communities outside the downtown core and across the Province,” said Tony Gagliano, Luminato Festival Co-Founder and Chair. “Our collaboration with the McMichael Canadian Art Collection will allow us to present two works by acclaimed artist Terence Koh that will be sure to inspire and challenge residents of Vaughan as well as visitors to one of the area’s artistic jewels, the gallery. Our commitment to partnering with communities across the GTA is also evident in our collaborations in 2014 with Arts Etobicoke, Scarborough Arts, North York Arts, East End Arts, Urban Arts and Lakeshore Arts.”
“Since its launch in 2007, the Luminato Festival has become recognized globally as one of the top-ranked annual international multi-arts festivals,” said Janice Price, Luminato Festival CEO. “At the same time, it has always found great strength in the culture of this Province, country and the Greater Toronto Region. We value our partnerships and relationships with organizations and artists across Canada and the region and thus are particularly pleased to be working with internationally renowned Chinese-Canadian artist Terence Koh and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. These presentations and partnerships are a real reflection of the Luminato Festival’s desire to bring the best of the GTA to the world, while showcasing to the world the best of the GTA.”
Performance Schedule and Details
Friday, June 6 to Friday, June 13, 2014
8:15 pm Ancillary presentations
9:30 pm Performance
The McMichael Collection will have extended opening hours until 9 pm, at a reduced price, on performance evenings. A picnic meal curated by Terence Koh will also be available for purchase at the venue prior to the performance.
Tickets to the performance are free. Additional cost will be required for transport to the venue at
7 pm sharp, leaving from the Metro Centre, 200 Wellington Street (off David Pecaut Square), and returning after the performance. Visit luminatofestival.com or call 416-368-4TIX (4849) for detailed pricing, performance and travel information.
tomorrow’s snow and a way to the light at the 2014 Luminato Festival are supported by the Hal Jackman Foundation, in partnership with the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.
About the Luminato Festival
Luminato Festival is Toronto’s international multi-arts festival for people open to having art change their outlook on the world. For 10 days each June, Luminato Festival transforms Toronto’s theatres, parks and public spaces with hundreds of events celebrating theatre, dance, music, literature, food, visual arts, magic, film, and more.
Luminato Festival is a charitable, not-for-profit, cultural organization whose vision is to commission and present significant local, national, and international programming that reflects Toronto as a crossroads of ideas, cultures and traditions. Now in its 8th year, Luminato Festival has become one of North America’s leading arts festivals. The Luminato Festival runs June 6-15, 2014. luminatofestival.com
Luminato Festival gratefully acknowledges the generous support and vision of its Founding Luminaries, SuperNova donors, and Patron Circle Members. The Festival would not be possible without the support of our Partner in Creativity, L’Oréal Canada. Luminato Festival also proudly acknowledges the support of its Founding Government Partner, the Province of Ontario, as well as the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto, and the Ontario Arts Council.
Luminato Festival Partner in Creativity: L’Oréal Canada
Luminato Festival Presenting Partners: Kia Canada, City of Toronto and Manulife Financial
Luminato Festival Major Media Partners: Toronto Star, St. Joseph Communications, The Globe and Mail, and Telelatino Network
List represents commitments as of April 9, 2014
About the McMichael Canadian Art Collection
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is an agency of the Government of Ontario and acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and the McMichael Canadian Art Foundation. It is the foremost venue in the country showcasing the Group of Seven and their contemporaries. In addition to touring exhibitions, its permanent collection consists of almost 6,000 artworks by Canadian artists, including paintings by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, as well as First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists. The gallery is located on 100 acres of northern landscape and hiking trails at 10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg, north of Major Mackenzie Drive in the City of Vaughan. For more information: mcmichael.com
Media Partners: The Globe and Mail, JAZZ.FM91
About the City of Vaughan
The City of Vaughan is one of Canada’s fastest growing cities with a population of more than 310,000. Incorporated in 1991, Vaughan includes the communities of Concord, Kleinburg, Maple, Thornhill and Woodbridge. This culturally diverse municipality is located in the heart of York Region and the Greater Toronto Area.
For media inquiries:
Wendy Campbell
Manager, Media Relations and Online Presence
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
905.893.1121 ext. 2201
wcampbell@mcmichael.com
Rachel Weiner
Media Relations and Communications Coordinator
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
905.893.1121 ext. 2210
rweiner@mcmichael.com
Media Contact Luminato Festival:
Elizabeth Han
Account Coordinator
Knot PR
416.532.9035
ekh@knotpr.com
Media Downloads: http://luminatofestival.com/pages/press/media-assets