It started out as a beautiful day, so I thought I would take in a few photography exhibitions, because May is going fast, and CONTACT, the annual photography festival , will soon be over. I had in mind to see the Arnaud Maggs photo exhibit, at the Ryerson image centre. ( I met Arnaud long ago, during my modeling days. He was already known as an eccentric ---and I noted that he had this most extraordinary, huge collection of porcelain dolls. He received high honours as a photographer, --unfortunately posthumously. ---He died about a year ago. ) I took my little Yorky with me as I often do. He is great company, plus he needs to walk as much as I do, now that it's warm out. We sat in the shade on Gould St by a hotdog stand, and shared a hotdog. So happy! Both of us. But that was to change; we walked to the door of the gallery.....it was closed! It was then that I noticed the hours. Monday , the gallery was closed! So, off I drove, by way of Queen Street. Workman Arts was on my list, at 1001 Queen St. I parked ---and as I attempted to buy another parking ticket, I realized that I must have left my Visa card in the parking meter, at the previous location! Oh nooooo!!!! I phoned and cancelled the card. Crossing the street, I began looking for street number 1001. No such thing. But this is CAMH territory, --and I was just about ready to be admitted. Especially after I passed one guy talking loudly to himself and then yelling in my direction; "You're a f......ing liar!!!!!" (of course I did not say a word! ) Anyway, after getting quite a runaround, I finally located the makeshift structure that housed the photography exhibits. Guess what, -----it was closed!
Bad luck runs in threes,--I heard, --but I was determined to see SOMETHING, so I would not feel I wasted the day. As I continued west along Queen Street, I had a great idea. Why not check out the Gladstone Hotel? They usually house photo exhibits during the month of May---photography month. So, for the 3rd time, I bought a parking ticket, ---cash this time---no Visa, remember? ----and entered the Gladstone, my tiny dog in my arm. ( It was too hot to leave him in the car.) Hurrah, Monday or not, the exhibition was open! But; the guy at reception took one look at us --me and Rexy---and turned us away. Fortunately, the manager came by, and............offered to hold onto my killer 5 lb. little sweetheart, long enough for me to take a peek at the portraiture displayed upstairs. So, I saw impressive portraits of the likes of Pierre Trudeau, a black and white portrait of Albert Einstein-made in 1948, and current celebrities e.g. Justin Bieber-blowing a huge bubble, Scarlett Johannson etc, from Macleans magazine's extensive archives. ( I took a couple of images just on my I Phone, --but I am not sure if I am allowed to share them here.)
Well, I thanked the hotel's manager profusely, his kindness turned my day around. All the same, --I will never again attempt to go to art exhibitions on a Monday . Like hairdressing salons, galleries --at least in Canada,- are closed that day. So, I'm just letting you know folks , remember; NEVER ON MONDAY!
As for the Maggs exhibit, I'll just have to make another trip. I am sure it will be worth it.
ARNAUD MAGGS
Bad luck runs in threes,--I heard, --but I was determined to see SOMETHING, so I would not feel I wasted the day. As I continued west along Queen Street, I had a great idea. Why not check out the Gladstone Hotel? They usually house photo exhibits during the month of May---photography month. So, for the 3rd time, I bought a parking ticket, ---cash this time---no Visa, remember? ----and entered the Gladstone, my tiny dog in my arm. ( It was too hot to leave him in the car.) Hurrah, Monday or not, the exhibition was open! But; the guy at reception took one look at us --me and Rexy---and turned us away. Fortunately, the manager came by, and............offered to hold onto my killer 5 lb. little sweetheart, long enough for me to take a peek at the portraiture displayed upstairs. So, I saw impressive portraits of the likes of Pierre Trudeau, a black and white portrait of Albert Einstein-made in 1948, and current celebrities e.g. Justin Bieber-blowing a huge bubble, Scarlett Johannson etc, from Macleans magazine's extensive archives. ( I took a couple of images just on my I Phone, --but I am not sure if I am allowed to share them here.)
Well, I thanked the hotel's manager profusely, his kindness turned my day around. All the same, --I will never again attempt to go to art exhibitions on a Monday . Like hairdressing salons, galleries --at least in Canada,- are closed that day. So, I'm just letting you know folks , remember; NEVER ON MONDAY!
As for the Maggs exhibit, I'll just have to make another trip. I am sure it will be worth it.
ARNAUD MAGGS
