Art Toronto 2011

Pink vinyl covered most of the Toronto Convention Centre’s foyer for Art Toronto 2011. The neon-coloured installation, by Achim Zeman, enveloped columns, the ceiling, and reception desk. The popping colour captivated people’s attention and the interest extended upstairs, into the main showroom. For four days, over 100 international galleries showcased emerging and seasoned artist’s static and interactive art. The fair’s 12th annual exhibition promised works for every taste and art collector’s budget. The fair was broken up into three categories: Next - a section dedicated to new galleries - the main showroom, and the open space, a newly-expanded area for sculptures. This year, Art Toronto commissioned its flagship project to Canadian artist Kent Monkman. His installation, The Art Game, was a maze that personified the difficult and confusing path artists wander to expose and sell their work. The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art worked with Art Toronto to release limited edition prints by Toronto-based photographer Edward Burtynsky. The print sales were to benefit exhibitions and educational programming at MOCCA. His prints sold out the second day the fair was open to the public.

The highlight of the show was a 1971 BMW M1, painted by Andy Warhol in 23 minutes. The car was raised and tipped to display the patches of paint and finger-signed body. The M1 also raced in France’s Le Man circuit in 1976.