Toronto’s dusk-to-dawn contemporary art showcase, Nuit Blanche, returns this weekend for its 20th anniversary, with more than 70 local, national and international artists showing work across the city.
Since launching in 2006, Nuit Blanche has featured nearly 6,400 artists and more than 1,800 works.
Here’s what to know about the anniversary edition, including where to find major installations and how to get around.
When is it happening?
Artwork will be on display from 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday. By noon Sunday, most of the exhibits will be taken down.
Twelve projects will remain on view from Oct. 5 to 10, with varying hours. They include Rhonda Weppler and Trevor Mahovsky’s multimedia installation “Museum of Lost Things,” Brandon Vickerd’s “UFO,” featuring a flying saucer that has crashed into a car, and Negar Pooya’s interactive sculpture “The Wishing Boat.”
Times and locations of the extended projects are available on the City of Toronto’s website.
What is the theme?
“Tomorrow’s Memories” looks back at the artists, communities and places that have shaped the event’s history, according to the city.
The program pairs remounted works from past editions with new art that explores memory as a storytelling tool and imagines possible futures.
Where is the art?
Nuit Blanche exhibits are spread across the city and mostly grouped in clusters around downtown, North York and Etobicoke.
About two dozen works will be up around Nathan Phillips Square, including Hiba Abdallah’s text-based display, “Everything I Wanted to Tell You,” Joseph David Providence Farrugia’s glowing beehives in “Echoes of the Apiary” and Marco Baldonado’s memories of a 99-year-old gardener in “Rosa’s Garden.”
Near Richmond Street West and Spadina Avenue, works reflecting Toronto’s life and history will be on display, including 4 The West End’s “A Walk on the West Side” and Gregory Dekter’s “Shot List.”
North York will host works including Jordan Shaw’s “Networked Growth,” a tree sculpture made from upcycled Ethernet cables. The Meridian Arts Centre will also host interactive performances, a night arts market and a silent disco.
A map with all of the Nuit Blanche projects is available on the city’s website.
What are some major works on display?
Four major works will be installed along the Bentway.
These include local artist Caitlin Taguibao’s mural of Toronto life, “Make The World Go Round,” and Paul Ramírez Jonas’s drawings and large marquee board in “Public Trust.” Reza Nik, Sam Cruxton and Jocelyn Hernandez’s “Social Fabric: A Community Textile Activation,” a large collaborative textile work, and Stanzie Tooth’s urban environment images in “A Persistent Crossing” are also part of the lineup.
More major works across the city include a two-floor exhibition at “401 Richmond – Built for Art,” an interactive multimedia display “Stories In Place,” and local artist Cybèle Young’s large paper creation “Kamiphony.”
A full list of major works is available on the city’s website.
How can I get around?
Subway Lines 1 and 2 will run all night during Nuit Blanche, according to the TTC. Trains should arrive every 15 minutes and all stations will stay open.
The all night Blue Night Network buses will run as usual, the TTC said. The 944 Kipling South Express and 100 Flemingdon Park will also run between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Sunday.
Line 4 Sheppard, Line 5 Eglinton and Line 6 Finch West will end at their regular hours.
All 19 Bay bus routes will divert between Friday at noon and Sunday at noon for Nuit Blanche, the TTC said. Stops will not be serviced along Bay Street between Dundas and Richmond streets west, as well as southbound Bay Street between Richmond and Adelaide.
Will roads be closed for Nuit Blanche?
Road closures for the event will begin Friday at 12 p.m. and stay in effect until Sunday at 12 p.m., according to Toronto police.
The following roads are affected:
- Queen Street West between Bay Street and University Avenue
- Bay Street between Hagerman Street and Richmond Street West
- Elizabeth Street between Foster Place and Hagerman Street
- Hagerman Street between Elizabeth Street and Bay Street
- Albert Street between James Street and Bay Street
Local traffic is allowed along York Street between Richmond Street West and Queen Street West, Bay Street between Dundas Street West and Foster Place, as well as all of Foster Place.
What is the forecast?
A light jacket may be needed at Nuit Blanche this year, because the weekend forecast looks slightly cool.
Saturday night calls for clear skies and a low of 9 C, according to Environment Canada. Temperatures are set to rise to a high of 20 C with a mix of sun and clouds by Sunday afternoon.
