The eighth annual Toronto International Art Fair (TIAF) celebrates its leading role as the most important and anticipated contemporary art fair in Canada. Holding the position of the third-largest English speaking theatre district in the world after New York and London, Toronto is host to an eclectic, cosmopolitan and sophisticated arts and culture community.
A premiere showcase of leading contemporary galleries
featuring renowned and emerging national and international
artists
The eighth annual Toronto International Art Fair (TIAF) celebrates its leading role as the most important and anticipated contemporary art fair in Canada. With a newly expanded space to accommodate the many prominent new
participating galleries, The Toronto International Art Fair, Art Toronto 2007 is a
discriminating showcase of Canadian and international works that continues to attract
the attention and participation of every top gallery and cultural institution in Canada.
Selected by a committee of seasoned art professionals, Art Toronto 2007 features 100
galleries, establishing the Fair as the preeminent visual art event in Canada. In addition
to the outstanding gallery showcase, Art Toronto 2007 will once again offer visitors an
exceptional roster of intriguing and relevant cultural programming.
Launched by the Opening Night Preview benefit for the Art Gallery of Ontario, Thursday,
October 25th the Fair officially opens to the general public on Friday, October 26th and
runs until Monday, October 29th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building,
Exhibit Halls A & B. Galleries, artists, collectors, critics, curators and art professionals
from Canada and abroad will gather at Art Toronto 2007 to showcase and view more
than 5,000 pieces of work by some of the most compelling artists of the 20th and 21st
century.
Building on the overwhelming success of last year’s record attendance and sales,
making it one of the most successful art fairs in North America, Art Toronto 2007 will be
expanding its dynamic mix of contemporary art by increasing the presence of prominent
international galleries and contemporary avant-garde art. 27 first time participants from
Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States will
join TIAF this year. The Fresh Avant-Garde section, which continues to be a highlight of
the Fair, has also expanded to a total of 15 galleries from Canada, France, Germany,
and the United States.
“International Art Fairs have become a new and vital marketing vehicle for art dealers
and collectors to buy and sell art. Unlike auction houses Fairs provide a more relaxed
environment where collectors can view, reserve, seek advice, compare and choose
without the pressure of the hammer…all from a collection of such size and variety no
auction house or individual gallery could rival” said Linel Rebenchuk Founder and
Director, Toronto International Art Fair. “Like other important art fairs in the
international art calendar, TIAF brings together some of the best national and
international art galleries, all under one roof, creating an incredible showcase and
meeting venue for dealers, artists, collectors, critics, buyers and thousands other art
enthusiasts, allowing them unprecedented access to the best of the industry and to the
latest developments in contemporary art”
Some of the networking opportunities at TIAF are provided by the Fair’s extensive and
interactive programming. Prominent guest speakers and special project presentations
provide the platform for open dialogue and the exchange of ideas and opinions on
contemporary art. The cultural program for Art Toronto 2007 includes:
• NEW! - Open Spaces - Covering over 15,000 square feet, this large project
space is comprised of nine single artist project installations and interactive bodies
of work.
• Fresh Avant-Garde – Edgy and innovative, this designated section of the Fair
now in its sixth year, supports emerging national and international artists. It
features a selection of artwork, chosen by 15 young and contemporary galleries,
competitively priced under $5,000.00.
• News at Five – Each day at 5:00 p.m. sharp, visitors can observe a rotating
exhibit, from installation to completion. Curated by Canadian Art Senior Editor
Richard Rhodes, it explores different notions of public and pictorial space
featuring the works of Chris Kline, An Te Liu and Andrew Reyes.
• Power Talks – Presented by the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, these
informative lectures unite influential national and international critics and curators
discussing a range of topics including current projects and ideas and insight into
today’s global contemporary art scene. Admission to each lecture is included with
admission.
• T at Three: Following its inaugural success in 2006, T at Three returns to this
year’s Fair. A daily and engaging interview series hosted by Robert Enright,
Senior Contributing Editor of Border Crossings Magazine. Each day at 3:00 p.m.
he conducts one-on-one interviews with artists, curators and dealers. T at Three
endeavors to provide a unique perspective on contemporary art.
The extensive exhibition of Canadian and international art works, combined with a full
roster of distinguished cultural programming offers visitors to the Fair the opportunity to
look, learn and buy. The Fair has something for all tastes – modern to avant-garde;
backgrounds – novice to seasoned collectors; and budgets - ranging from $300 to
$3 million.
New this year is the TIAF ART SMART Button designed by Toronto-based based artist
Jeremy Bailey. Available at The Drake Hotel and the Catalogue Desk on site at the
Toronto International Art Fair, the ART SMART Button provides unlimited access to TIAF
and the Power Talk Series. It also includes admission to the post gala party at the Drake
Hotel on October 25th along with access to the Drake Artists Studio tours and free
admission to select museums and galleries in the city. The ART SMART Buttons are a
limited production of only 500, making them collector and souvenir pieces.
Art Toronto 2007 launches on Thursday, October 25th with the Opening Night Preview,
benefiting the Art Gallery of Ontario. For the very serious collector the intimate and
exclusive advance Special Collectors’ Preview opens at 4:30 p.m. followed at 6:30 p.m.
by the Opening Night Preview continuing until 10:00 p.m. Information and tickets are
available through the Art Gallery of Ontario at 416-979-6608.
SPECIAL PUBLIC EVENT - Sunday, October 28th 6:00 p.m.
Film Screening at The Power Plant - An evening of films by Francesco Vezzoli made over the past decade.
The Power Plant
231 Queens Quay West
Media enquiries:
Jessica Goldman
Applause! Communications
T: (416) 217-0700 ext. 304 T: (416) 217-0700 ext. 301 E: jessica@applausecommunications.com
Holly Beetham
Applause! Communications
T: (416) 217-0700 ext. 301 holly@applausecommunications.com
OPENING NIGHT PREVIEW
A BENEFIT FOR THE ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO (AGO)
Thursday, October 25th
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
North Building, Exhibit Hall A & B
255 Front Street West
PUBLIC SHOW HOURS
Friday, October 26th 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 27th 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 28th 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Monday, October 29th 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
FAIR TICKETS
General Admission $16.00
Groups, Students and Seniors $12.00
4-day Pass $40.00
Children under 10 Free