Yorkvillism Art Book PDF - The Yorkville Condominiums

FOREWARD
If you haven’t noticed, Yorkville sure does have it all! There are so many different
memories and perspectives that people conjure up when thinking about this delightful
neighbourhood: its village roots, its 60’s youth and music scene, its cafés and restaurants,
its high-end and niche shops, its unrivalled fabulous opportunities to people-watch, and
its superb shopping experience on the newly transformed Bloor Street. These are chief
among the characteristics that have turned Yorkville into a destination for Torontonians,
for our GTA neighbours, and tourists.
Over the last ten years we have seen the growing demand to transform Yorkville
beyond a destination area, into a highly desirable residential neighbourhood. With the
breakthrough of new urban design standards and public realm improvements, Yorkville is
experiencing a second wind, a new purpose in life. It is no longer limited to satisfying
the visitor, it is now welcoming and tantalizing a new community residents. For many
years, Yorkville has been a place to work, to play, to shop... now more than ever, it is the
place to live.
From each corner of Yorkville, either style or comfort shouts out. With the build-out of
the residential quality of Yorkville, the schools, daycares, public libraries and the beloved
parks and open spaces have either welcomed, or in the case of parks, grown in size, in
number and in quality.
Yorkville is very much a work in progress, but one that has decided to acknowledge that
this sweet spot in the centre of Toronto is very much part of the future of the city, and
not just its past.
KYLE RAE
COUNCILLOR, WARD, 27 1991 - 2010
TORONTO CENTRE - ROSEDALE
PREFACE
Yorkvillism, is a photojournalism keepsake that is the result of a collaboration among
Lifetime Developments, Ryerson University and the Toronto Star.
As one of today’s most active builders and developers in the Yorkville neighbourhood
with such developments as the new Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Toronto,
and now the Yorkville Condominiums launching in March 2011, Lifetime is proud of
its role in helping to influence the transformation and evolution of one of Toronto’s most
special neighbourhoods.
This book features work by six students of The School of Image Arts at Ryerson
University – some of Toronto’s most promising new talent: Ériver Hijano, Arthur Mola,
Renée Munn, Andrew B. Myers, Eugen Sakhnenko, and Andrew Williamson.
Their assignment was to capture photographic representations of the overall Yorkville
neighbourhood, each through their own creative mind’s eye. The challenge was to reflect
the unique state of mind enjoyed by those who live and frequent Yorkville; its design,
culture, fashion, shops, cuisine, architecture, and the feeling that makes Yorkville one
of the most desired neighbourhoods in Canada.
The book captures Yorkvillism by day and by night; its culture and history; and its
notable landmarks and architecture. The end result is in its own way, another work of art
reflecting the captured moments and people and places that make Yorkville at the same
time so historic, and so leading-edge.
While exclusive and distinctive, there is also at the same time a commonality to
Yorkville. Most Torontonians know the area very well. From people watching, to
evenings out or simply celebrity-spotting, Toronto lives in Yorkville and its vibe is
immediately recognizable.
Lifetime Developments, Ryerson University and the Toronto Star are proud to present
this neighbourhood portrait, and showcase the creativity, panache and photographic
interpretations of the selected students.
A state of mind enjoyed by those who live in and frequent Toronto’s legendary Yorkville
neighbourhood. This state is characterized by a discriminating passion for the very best in
culture, cuisine, couture, architecture and décor – everything that makes living well
a modern art form.
ME TO DO MO
APPEARANCE
WITH OR WIT
THE BEATLES
EVERYTHING
“IT GAVE ME A GREAT
FEELING, A FEELING
I HADN’T HAD IN A LONG
TIME AND CONVINCED
ME TO DO MORE
APPEARANCES, WITH OR
WITHOUT THE BEATLES.
EVERYTHING WENT
DOWN SO WELL.”
JOHN LENNON
September 13, 1969 on “Live Peace in Toronto”
concert at Varsity Stadium in Yorkville.
INTANGIB
ORKVILL
THE
REAT
OURHOO
WORLD.”
, THE
“THE PEOPLE,
THE STYLE,
THE FLAIR,
THE FASHION,
THE PULSE…
THOSE INTANGIBLES
MAKE YORKVILLE ONE
OF THE TRULY GREAT
NEIGHBOURHOODS OF
THE WORLD.”
HARRY ROSEN
Canada’s most legendary clothier,
on the 50 year success of his flagship
locationon Bloor Street.
FOND MEMORIES OF
YORKVILLE.
FROM ITS HIPPIE-DAYS
OF THE ‘60’S TO TODAY’
MID-TOWN CHIC
“I HAVE SO MANY
FOND MEMORIES OF
YORKVILLE.
FROM ITS HIPPIE-DAYS
OF THE ‘60’S TO TODAY’S
MID-TOWN CHIC
FEEL, THIS VIBRANT
NEIGHBOURHOOD
IS FIFTH AVENUE AND
MADISON AVENUE
ROLLED INTO ONE.”
JOE MIMRAN
aka Canadian fashion icon “Joe Fresh”
JOE GOMES
on his 51-year career as bartender at
Park Hyatt Hotel’s Rooftop Lounge.
his 51-year career
k Hyatt Hotel’s Rooftop Lounge.
ERESTIN
XCITING…
E HAPPY
HAPPY
HEY
OMING
“IT’S THE PEOPLE
I MEET THAT
MAKE THE JOB
INTERESTING AND
EXCITING….THEY’RE
HAPPY AND I’M
HAPPY AND THEY
KEEP COMING BACK.”
“I
HAD
TO
EAT.”
HAD
TO
EAT.”
NEIL YOUNG
on why he joined the Yorkville coffee house
band ‘The Mynah Birds’ in 1965
– NEIL YOUNG, on why he
joined the Yorkville coffee house
band‘The Mynah Birds’ in 1965.
OU JUST
ET
HE VIBE
F YOUR
URROUND
ND IT RU
“YOU JUST
GET THE VIBE
OF YOUR
SURROUNDINGS,
AND IT RUBS
OFF ON YOU.”
GORDON LIGHTFOOT
on starting his career in Yorkville
coffee houses.
LOOK AT US.
ADMIT
TO YOURSELF
WE ONLY
TOOK IT
“ DON’T JUST APE
OUR MOVEMENT. DON’T
DO HIPPIE POSES.
LOOK AT US. ADMIT
TO YOURSELF WE ONLY
TOOK IT SO FAR.
BUILD IT FROM WHERE
WE LEFT OFF.”
JONI MITCHELL
to today’s generation who romance
the 1960’s hippie movement.
BRUCE PALMER
founder, Buffalo Springfield,
and Yorkville musician.
ALMER,
uffalo Springfield,
ille musician.
ND
IT WAS
MOST
D-ROCKI
Y OF
TIME.”
“YORKVILLE
CREATED ‘THE
TORONTO
SOUND’ AND
IT WAS THE MOST
HARD-ROCKING
CITY OF ITS
TIME.”
TWO YEARS BEF
THE SUMMER O
IT WAS LIKE TH
DEAL…TORONT
IN 1965.”
“THE YORKVILLE
SCENE. I’D NEVER SEEN
ANYTHING LIKE IT.
MUSIC WAS EVERYWHERE.
TWO YEARS BEFORE
THE SUMMER OF LOVE.
IT WAS LIKE THIS BIG
DEAL…TORONTO
IN 1965.”
NEIL YOUNG
from the biography “Shakey”
THE ‘YORKVILLISM’ PHOTO PROGRAM
Lifetime Developments has been proud to partner with Ryerson University and the
Toronto Star in this endeavour. The intent was to showcase the incredible talent of
the students of Ryerson’s School of Image Arts, to provide them with a rare handson learning opportunity on an actual assignment with The Yorkville Condominiums’
advertising agency, and to showcase their creativity in a professional manner at a key
point of their professional development.
To be considered for the assignment, interested third-and fourth-year students from
Ryerson’s School of Image Arts were asked to submit their portfolios, and then later
photographic examples of Yorkvillism to an expert jury panel. The panel was comprised
of Brian Brown, Vice President, Lifetime Developments; Robert Burley, Associate
Professor, Ryerson School of Image Arts; Gale Beeby, Real Estate Editor, and Spencer
Wynn, Deputy Art Director of the Toronto Star; and Andy DeSantis, Vice President
and Creative Director, Montana Steele Advertising.
After a full review of all submitted portfolios, six students were selected by the judging
panel to proceed with the assignment – to capture Yorkville in all its many forms. Their
work is featured in this book, and as part of the marketing program for The Yorkville
Condominiums.
The students were empowered with the objective to tell ‘the story’ of the neighbourhood
through photographic images that illustrated “Yorkvillism”. As a result, the program
encouraged creative freedom among the photography students to capture even
the unscripted moments that make Yorkville Canada’s most desired and unique
neighbourhood, and home to Lifetime’s newest condominium project, The Yorkville.
Also as part of this exercise, and based upon their approach, attitude and most
importantly, their ‘creative concept’ and photographic style from their submitted photos,
a single student was selected by the judging panel for a further project, to photograph
The Yorkville Condominiums’ core marketing photography in collaboration with
Lifetime’s advertising agency, Montana Steele Advertising.
With Montana Steele Advertising serving as Art Director, the winning student was
commissioned to participate in a full-day shoot in the Yorkville neighbourhood. Armed
with a full spectrum of equipment, a support crew and professional models, the student
had unparalleled freedom and the resources to shoot the final marketing images, resulting
in the iconic photo that was the ‘best of the best’ becoming the “hero” shot. The day was
an invaluable experience that afforded the opportunity to work with leading real estate
marketing professionals.
We are pleased to recognize the students selected by the jury in the following categories:
In fact, all of the six finalists will benefit greatly by inclusion in this program.
In addition to marketplace exposure through “Yorkvillism” promotion, the multiple
photos taken by all six students will be prominently featured in a gallery within
The Yorkville Presentation Centre, the furnished model suite, collateral marketing
campaigns, and finally within The Yorkville Condominiums itself.
HONOURABLE MENTION
ANDREW B. MYERS
The caliber of the work by all the students was so exceptional that while initially
only two were to be named, upon deliberation the judging panel felt compelled to
also recognize a third.
WINNER
ARTHUR MOLA
RUNNER-UP
ANDREW WILLIAMSON
We congratulate all six students selected to participate in this project, and invite you to
see their outstanding work in capturing this expression of “Yorkvillism”, as part of
The Yorkville Condominiums.
THE PHOTOGRAPHERS
ÉRIVER HIJANO
ANDREW B. MYERS
Graduated in Spring, 2010, Ériver Hijano’s work has been published and exhibited
in the America’s, Europe and the United Kingdom. Ériver’s photographs are
based upon internal, emotional states panning between different, often classic
styles of imagery. Eriver’s personal work treats the photograph as an empty stage
meticulously constructed by the artist, leaving no room for chance or accident.
In this way, his photographs are uniquely personal, and unavoidably embedded
with a characteristic aesthetic aura, that appeals to the viewer independently of
its contents.
A recent graduate of Ryerson University, Andrew B. Myers was named one of
Canada’s 35 emerging photographers of 2010, as part of ‘Flash Forward’ and
tours internationally. His impressive portfolio already includes published work
in Canadian Geographic Magazine, The Globe and Mail, Report on Business
and Air Canada’s En Route Magazine. Andrew is also the protégé at Westside
Studio, one of Canada’s most elite rosters of advertising photographers.
ARTHUR MOLA
In his fourth year at Ryerson and only 20 years old, Arthur Mola has already
photographed many of the world’s most iconic musicians and actors. The
challenge of capturing motion and action as it happens in the worlds of music
and entertainment is his signature. His work has been published in many of
the world’s largest publications including Rolling Stone and Time Magazine’s,
Variety, GQ Magazine, Elle Canada, Flare, Hello! Canada, The Toronto Star,
The Globe and Mail and National Post. Already a veteran photographer of
Toronto Fashion Week and TIFF, Arthur is also a contributing entertainment
photographer for Getty Images, one of the largest photo agencies in the world.
RENÉE MUNN
Originally from Australia and a recent graduate of Ryerson’s School of Image
Arts, Renée’s work is a mixed media, combining historical photographic
process, fashion, sculpture and theatre. Her recent body of work included
an examination and reinterpretation of the death scenes from Hamlet, with
photographic illustrations presented as a large scale collage, composed from
multiple large format negatives printed on Gelatin silver paper, which are
ripped and seamed together and encapsulated in wax. The presentation of her
artwork embodies an expressive use of the photographic medium, with the
drapery of fabric and the gesture of the human figure all designed to create
art as an experience.
EUGEN SAKHNENKO
Graduated from Ryerson in Spring, 2010, Eugen Sakhnenko’s work has an
urban focus, a product of his experience living in cities such as Kiev, New
York and now Toronto. His images are highly technical and conceptually
driven, photographing people and the spaces they create. The results are
consistently captivating pictures, as confrontational as they are revealing, but
all rich in meaning and story-telling that goes far beyond their initial beauty.
Eugen’s photographs often explore urban thematics of access, technology
and contemporary culture, and have been published and exhibited
internationally.
ANDREW WILLIAMSON
In his graduate year at Ryerson, Andrew Williamson’s work is a product of
his urban culture and habitat. He often explores technology, cities and the
people who make up their fabric. Andrew blends many forms of technology
in the creation of his work, often using sound and video as an addendum to
his photographic expertise, to investigate the urban, and human, experience.
A recent example being his work on people and traffic flow through Dundas
Square to create synthesized music in realtime.
LIFETIME DEVELOPMENTS
For over three decades, Lifetime Developments has been recognized for its commitment
to high quality, design innovation and the transformational impact of its projects. They
have developed a well-earned reputation in creating complete environments where people
choose to ‘embrace life’, and not just simply ‘live’.
The Yorkville will continue with these traditions and will reflect Lifetime’s hands-on
philosophy of attention to detail, design excellence and the highest quality environments.
Lifetime is at home in the Yorkville neighbourhood, as among its major projects is the
prestigious new Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Toronto at Bay and Yorkville,
and its other future developments in the area are in their early planning stages. Lifetime
has also won acclaim as the developer of WaterParkCity, X2 Condos, Lumiere, M5V,
Liberty Market Building and Liberty Market Lofts, as well as ground-breaking new
Bisha Hotel & Residences in Toronto’s Entertainment District.
From concept to completion, Lifetime has always been about doing something
different, to enhance and invigorate both lives and surroundings. And this is once
again evident at The Yorkville, as Lifetime brings a new, modern aesthetic to
Canada’s most exclusive neighbourhood.
Bisha Hotel & Residences
Four Seasons Hotel & Residences Toronto
X2 Condos
Lumiere
Victory Condos on King
Neptune Condominiums
M5V
www.lifetimedevelopements.com
Liberty Market Lofts
WaterParkCity
RYERSON UNIVERSITY – THE SCHOOL OF
IMAGE ARTS: PHOTOGRAPHY, FILM & NEW MEDIA
The Photography Studies program provides an immersive hands-on curriculum in photobased media that is supported by a stimulating academic program in visual and liberal studies.
Students are encouraged to develop their own personal visions in an intensive production
environment using photography and new forms for creating and disseminating imagery.
A wide range of studio courses allows students to explore everything from historical
photographic processes to contemporary print-based media and advanced electronic
applications in imaging. Students develop projects in such forms as exhibitions, books,
magazines, short films, web-based projects and site specific installations.
The photography program was one of the founding schools when Ryerson was established
in 1948, making it the oldest program of its kind in Canada and has the largest faculty and
production facility in the country. This program produces graduates capable of working in a
wide array of new and emerging professional fields related to the lens-based image, as well
as pursuing graduate studies in the fine arts, cultural studies, communications and digital
media. Graduates of the program include Edward Burtynsky (photographer), Stephen Bulger
(Gallery owner), and Shin Sugino (photographer).
The School of Image Arts building on Bond Street is currently undergoing major renovations,
to be completed in 2011, and will accommodate a new art gallery, research centre and state
of the art labs and studios. The School is one of Ryerson’s flagship programs and receives
thousands of applications each year for its internationally renowned programs.
www.ryerson.ca
ARTIST’S RENDERING
SCHOOL OF IMAGE ARTS, RYERSON GALLERY,
AND RESEARCH CENTRE.
COURTESY OF CICADA DESIGN / DIAMOND AND
SCHMITT ARCHITECTS
THE TORONTO STAR
In 1892, Toronto was a bustling city of 180,000 with six newspapers competing for readers
when a seventh daily, a self-styled “Paper for the People,” suddenly appeared on the streets.
Born on November 3, 1892, The Evening Star was created almost overnight by 21 printers
and four teenage apprentices who were locked out during a labour dispute at the Afternoon
News. Their aim was to publish a serious journal - and possibly to teach the Afternoon
News a lesson. Little did they realize that their bright new four-page sheet would grow
into Canada’s largest daily newspaper, the Toronto Star.
Those printers may have lacked capital and business experience. But they were inspired by
the hope that a paper reflecting the concerns of working people like themselves could catch
on in an already overcrowded field.
That dream outlasted their early enthusiasm. After initial successes, the paper ran into financial
problems. New owners stepped in to keep it alive, for various reasons, but they couldn’t halt
a steady drop in sales. Then a rising young journalist, 34-year-old Joseph E. Atkinson, was
appointed editor on December 13, 1899, and things promptly began to improve.
Joni Mitchell
at The Riverboat Coffee House, April 16, 1968
Kris Kristofferson
at The Riverboat Coffee House, March 9, 1971
Today, the Toronto Star has Canada’s largest daily newspaper readership. It is published seven
days a week in the Greater Toronto Area and is owned by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited,
a wholly owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The newspaper is printed at its production
facility, the Toronto Star Press Centre, located in Vaughan, just north of Toronto. The Press
Centre houses six MAN Roland presses, and its extensive capacity allows for the use of full
colour throughout the newspaper every day for both editorial and advertising purposes.
Joseph E. Atkinson believed that his newspaper had a social responsibility to its readers
and the people of Toronto. Having experienced childhood poverty, Atkinson created a
charity more than a century ago that helped needy children during the summer months,
now called the Fresh Air Fund. A few short years later, he realized yet again that there
was a need to help less-privileged children at Christmas … a time of year most enjoyed by
children. And so, the Santa Claus fund was born to help put a smile on the face of children.
John D. Cruickshank - Publisher
Michael Cooke - Editor
Andrew Phillips - Editorial Page Editor
Peter Bishop - VP and CFO
Brian R. Daly - VP Human Resources
Edward A. MacLeod - VP Consumer Marketing
www.thestar.com
J.A. Sandy Muir - VP Advertising
Pam Laycock - VP Digital Media
Edward Greenspon - VP Business Development
John A. Honderich, Chair, Torstar Corp.
Established 1892 - Joseph E. Atkinson, Publisher, 1899-1948
The Riverboat Coffee House on Cumberland Street, Circa 1972
Images courtesy of the Toronto Star Archives
PHOTO CREDITS
ARTHUR MOLA
ARTHUR MOLA
ARTHUR MOLA
ANDREW WILLIAMSON
ARTHUR MOLA
ARTHUR MOLA
ANDREW WILLIAMSON
ANDREW WILLIAMSON
ARTHUR MOLA
ARTHUR MOLA
ANDREW WILLIAMSON
ANDREW WILLIAMSON
ANDREW MYERS
ANDREW WILLIAMSON
ARTHUR MOLA
ARTHUR MOLA
ANDREW WILLIAMSON
ANDREW WILLIAMSON
EUGENE SAKHNENKO
ERIVER HIJANO
ANDREW WILLIAMSON
ARTHUR MOLA
ERIVER HIJANO
ERIVER HIJANO
EUGENE SAKHNENKO
EUGENE SAKHNENKO
ERIVER HIJANO
ANDREW MYERS
EUGENE SAKHNENKO
EUGENE SAKHNENKO
ANDREW MYERS
ANDREW MYERS
ANDREW WILLIAMSON
ANDREW MYERS
ANDREW MYERS
RENEE MUNN
RENEE MUNN
ANDREW MYERS
ANDREW MYERS
RENEE MUNN
RENEE MUNN
RENEE MUNN
RENEE MUNN
ARTHUR MOLA
RENEE MUNN
RENEE MUNN
The Yorkville Condominiums provided an excellent opportunity for Lifetime to engage
a group of up-and-coming, very talented young photographers. Their enthusiasm
and commitment to the development of this photo book and their unique interpretation
of the concept of “Yorkvillism” has been a truly rewarding experience for all involved.
We are proud to have partnered with Ryerson University and the Toronto Star,
and thank all who have contributed.
MEL PEARL, PRINCIPAL, LIFETIME DEVELOPMENTS