2 Exhibits

The other day I visited the Art Gallery of Ontario to see the two special exhibits: Ai Weiwei, According to What? and the exhibit from the V&A David Bowie Is. Both shows were excellent, and I recommend visiting them if you get a chance. 

According to What?

Photo Belongs to Art Gallery of Ontario

Amazing and beautiful art installations by Ai Weiwei from China. At first glance his pieces give a sense of awe and then at second glance the piece instantly becomes disturbing. One example of this is Ai Weiwei's large green and grey snake that hangs on the ceiling at the entrance to the exhibit. At first it is really wonderful to look at, until you realize the snake is constructed entirely of small children's backpacks. They represent the 5000 children who died in the earthquake in Sichuan in 2008.  He creates art that talks of the political corruption in China. As a result he has been placed under house arrest by the Chinese government, but his work is still making a statement across the world. Make sure to check it out!

If you visit Nuit Blanche this year in Toronto, one of his installations will be on display in Nathan Philips Square. 

David Bowie Is

Photo Belongs to Art Gallery of Ontario

This exhibit is stunning, lots of visual corners to explore and music to hear. It's quite large, so if you visit give yourself lots of time. It has many of David Bowie's costumes on display, interviews to hear, art to view, and music videos to watch. There is even a section on Andy Warhal and some of the other influential artists at the time. The whole exhibit is exciting and keeps you interested throughout even if you are not a David Bowie fan. However, as I am a fan and grew up in the 80s, my favourite part was seeing the props on display from the movie Labyrinth. I definitely recommend it, you will be swept away by all the characters David Bowie has played as a trend setting artist!