Friday, February 22, 2008

The return


A trip home to England explains my tardy posting. Such was the whistle-stop nature of the visit, I didn't get to a see all my friends, let alone a computer.
I did however, manage to get a small arts and culture fix. The BBC's Culture Show was heralding the rise of the YBF - the Young British Female recording artist. Following in the wake of Lily Allen and Winehouse, the Joni M-likened Laura Marling, Wales's Duffy and London soul-jazz starlet Adele as do suggest they are on to something. The latter (the new Amy Winehouse apparently) plays Toronto on March 26, so we can make up our minds then, I suppose. The artists on Later With Jools Holland, the UK's long-running music show, were uncharacteristically disappointing though, except for nerd electro-ists Hot Chip of course, who I managed to get a ticket for when they play the GTA in April. Hurray.
It made me realise how much I miss the BBC's cultural programming, digital radio and warm beer. Not the weather however, which, in an apparent disregard for my visitation rights, was unexplicably cold (minus 6 one day). No respite from the Great White's chill or weatherspeak then...

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Craft attack

Lucky old me gets to attend this exciting symposium at Harbourfront in a couple of weeks....

Landmark symposium delves into the history and innovations of Canadian Craft

Crafting New Traditions: Canadian Innovators + Influences Symposium
February 22 and February 23, 2008 at Harbourfront Centre

Crafting New Traditions: Canadian Innovators + Influences Symposium is the first time that Canada's craft practice will be explored from a historical and contemporary artistic perspective - through the minds and voices of some of Canada's most influential curators, artists and academics. This symposium includes three keynote speakers and ten respected researchers from across Canada examining the influences and accomplishments of prominent Canadian craft pioneers working in ceramics, glass, metal, textiles and wood. These presentations coincide with the launch of the book Crafting New Traditions: Canadian Innovators and Influences - published by the Canadian Museum of Civilization (as part of their Mercury series), in collaboration with Harbourfront Centre.

So, seemingly, my arts and culture blog has metaphorphasised into a craft blog. But frankly, Toronto already has plenty of quality craft blogs. So, what should I do?