VISUAL ARTS
BENEATH THE SURFACE: LIFE, DEATH, GOLD AND CERAMICS IN ANCIENT PANAMA A stunning find in the early half of the 20th century, these relics from the cemetery of a Precolumbian people, the Coclé, were hidden away for more than 1,000 years before washing to the shores of Rio Grande Coclé, Panama, in 1927 after a flood. This exhibit includes golden plaques, pendants and other relics that the Coclé buried with their dead. Gardiner Museum (111 Queens Park, 416-586-8080). Until May 29.
BLACK CLOUD A storm of black moths cloud the building interior as part of Mexico City artist Carlos Amorales’ work that blends the beautiful with the ominous. The moths take on the allegory touching on climate change and its impact on endangered species. Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery (231 Queens Quay W., 416-9734949). Until May 15.
COLLECTIVE STANCE New York-based artist Leslie Hewitt collaborates with cinematographer Bradford Young for this new installation. Also included in this exhibition are several works by Hewitt that have been inspired, at least in part, by the work of Young. Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery (231 Queens Quay W., 416973-4949). Until May 15.
FIELD TRIP: SARAH ANNE JOHNSON Part of the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, this exhibition focuses on both the light and the dark sides of the concert culture. This exhibit documents the artist’s visits to music festivals, with some of the photos altered either digitally or manually, to highlight audiences’ emotions and sensations. The exhibition consists of fifty photographs from Johnson’s series. McMichael Canadian Art Collection (10365 Islington Ave, Kleinburg, 905-893-1121). Until June 5.
MAMMOTHS AND MASTODONS: TITANS OF THE ICE AGE Everything you ever wanted to know about mammoths and other ancient animals that once populated the northern hemisphere during the Ice Age is on display. Ontario Science Centre (770 Don Mills Rd., 416696-1000). Until Sunday.
ON PAPER includes rare paper works by the likes of Emily Carr, Clarence Gagnon, A.J. Casson, David Milne and the Group of Seven; examples include Gagnon’s illustrations for Louis Hémon’s novel Maria Chapdelaine and Carr’s sketchbook from 1903. Milne’s watercolour piece, Morning Paper, which has never been exhibited publicly, is another highlight. McMichael Canadian Art Collection (10365 Islington Ave., Kleinburg, 905-893-1121). Until May 1.
OUTSIDERS: AMERICAN PHOTORAPHY AND FILM, 1950S - 1980S During a time of rapid political change in the United States, artists began to work with photography and film to express ideas that had traditionally been the realm of more classical art forms, such as sculpture and painting. Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas St. W., 416-979-6648). Until May 29.
THE POLITICAL NIGHTFALL Artist Aude Moreau examines panoramas of Toronto and Los Angeles to find the political issues hidden within them. Moreau mixes mediums, such as embedding film in architecture, to uncover the stories of the past, often represented in the skylines of the present. Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery (231 Queens Quay W., 416973-4949). Until May 15.
TATTOOS: RITUAL. IDENTITY. OBSESSION. ART. This exhibition looks at the many ways in which tattoos have become a part of different cultures, and how they moved from the fringes into the mainstream in our own. Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queens Park, 416-5868000). Until June 30.
LES TEMPS INACHEVÉS (UNFINISHED TIME) collects the work of Montreal-based artist Patrick Bernatchez, Chrysalides (2006-13) and Lost in Time (2009-15). Chrysalides was inspired by the discovery of a notebook imprinted with mould patterns, leading to observations of life and decay. Lost in Time is a series of examinations of time through a number of mediums. Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery (231 Queens Quay W., 416-9734949). Until May 15.
TUNNEL VISION: THE STORY OF TORONTO’S SUBWAY features photographs, maps, plans and artifacts to showcase the great scale of the daily operations of the subway. Presented in co-operation with the Toronto Transportation Society. Market Gallery of the City of Toronto Archives (95 Front St. E., 416-3927604). Until June 11.
URBAN WILD explores trends and multiculturalism, delving into the relationships between the natural and the created. Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen St. W., 647792-5958). Until Monday.
THE WARD: REPRESENTATIONS AND REALITIES, 1890-1950 This exhibition explores the history of Toronto’s long-gone immigrant enclave. Downtown Toronto has changed so much over the past century, and today’s modernized business district bordered by Yonge St., University Ave., College St. and Queen St. W. conceals the remnants of the Ward, a neighbourhood filled with newly arrived immigrants. Campbell House Museum (160 Queen St. W., 416-583-2030). Today.