Better art this weekend

The Toronto Art Expo will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre this weekend (March 20-22) claiming to offer Contemporary Fine Art but really emphasizing affordability and kitsch. Check out some real contemporary art in the GTA this weekend:

Presently Absent
Johanna Householder, Darren O'Donnell, Swintak and jenna d. maclellan
Toronto Free Gallery
March 19 - April 18, 2009
Two of my favourite artists from Nuit Blanche 2007, O'Donnell and Swintak, are featured in this exhibition so it shows promise of being clever and entertaining.

"Presently Absent explores two interpretations of the states of presence and absence, the physical presence/absence of a person and the idea of presence/absence in terms of consciousness or awareness concerning the world around them. Johanna Householder delivers a message from a kidnapped rebel princess via Skype. Darren O'Donnell allows viewers to be present in the place of Omar Kadhr's absence. Swintak alludes to the fulitilty of artistic technique by transforming the contents of a dining room from something useful, to something else. jenna d. maclellan’s work gives Canadian immigrant women a voice in the needed discussion about their efforts to participate and integrate into the patchwork of Canada. Without fear, each confronts our perceptions about what is required to be present."

Interfaces and Operating Systems
Michelle Gay
Oakville Galleries at Gairloch Gardens
March 7 - June 5, 2009
Oakville is a Stepford community to be sure but the Oakville Galleries belie their conservative settings; the exhibited works are unapologetically contemporary and tend to be interactive. That the work is featured at Gairloch Gardens, a beautiful park property with an unobstructed view of Lake Ontario, makes the trip to Oakville worthwhile. Michelle Gay's work, a computer based reflection on time and technology, will challenge desk jockeys everywhere.

She Will Always Be Younger Than Us
The Textile Museum of Canada
November 19, 2008 to July 7, 2009
The underated Textile Museum of Canada has featured some provocative exhibits in recent years, such as A Terrible Beauty and Battleground: War Rugs from Afghanistan. She Will Always Be Younger Than Us featuring work influenced by feminist artist, Judy Chicago, is sure to follow this trend. Feminism is mixed with textiles and one result is a Nike logo blanket by Cat Mazza, which brings a smile to my face.