The 10th edition of Nuit Blanche Toronto, produced by the City of Toronto, is set to transform the city into an all-night free celebration of contemporary art from Saturday, October 3 at 6:55 p.m. to sunrise on Sunday, October 4.
This year's event will also feature internationally acclaimed artist JR (Paris/New York) as part of the exhibition Black and White Night.
JR exhibits freely in the streets of the world, catching the attention of people who are typically not museum visitors. As he remains anonymous and doesn’t explain his large-scale full-frame portraits of people making faces, JR leaves the space for an encounter between the subject/protagonist and the passer-by/interpreter. JR's work is about raising questions.
"I want to turn the city inside out for one night with the help and energy of the community, so that Toronto creates a powerful image that will be remembered," stated JR .
JR's Inside Out art project gives everyone the opportunity to share their portrait and make a statement. As the project is completed and infused with energy, emotion and intellect, it evolves into a larger work, resulting in a collective memory that enables people to share their untold stories of personal identity as works of public art.
Inside Out photo booth trucks will bring the printers directly to the streets, enabling the public to participate instantly and for free. Participants enter the photo booth, make a "strong face" and a camera snaps a portrait. Within three minutes, a black-and-white poster is printed. Toronto residents are invited to participate and add their faces to the various locations by visiting the Inside Out photo booth trucks. Participants can return on October 3 to the same locations to experience themselves transformed as part of Inside Out.
Tuesday, September 29:
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Scarborough Arts and North York Arts at Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St.
Wednesday, September 30:
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – ARTSIDEOUT at University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Science Wing Plaza
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W.
Below are just a few more works by street artist JR.
Campbell's House: Your Eye Inside Out, JR
Les Bosquets in Toronto, JR
The Eyes of the Bridge, JR
Women Are Heroes, JR
