Ship O' FoolsJanet Cardiff | George Bures Miller - World Premiere
It's the last thing you expect to find in the heart of Toronto: a salvaged thirty-foot Chinese junk. But its location isn't the only thing that makes this Luminato commission intriguing.
The image of the ship of fools, an uncaptained vessel full of aimless passengers absorbed in vanity and frivolity, has long fascinated writers and artists. Now, in a commission from Luminato, award-winning Canadian artists Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller turn this metaphor into a playful reality: enter the cabin of their transformed ship and find yourself immersed in a meticulously detailed experience of a wandering vessel.
The illusion is a delight in itself, but the cabin is also occupied by a traveller seeking salvation. Every element of your experience aboard reflects the traveller's obsession - and invites you, the viewer, to ponder your own voyage through life.
This event has been extended to June 28th.
To coincide with Ship O' Fools the AGO is presenting the rarely viewed work by Janet Cardiff, The Whispering Room, 1991, from June 9th to September 26th. Click here for AGO exhibit details.
Event Information
Will you be attending this event?
RSVPing will help us plan for your arrival but does not reserve a space. We advise you arrive early for any free event.
With Support From:
You may also enjoy:
Opening Weekend Events
In Conversation with Cardiff/Miller
COMMENTS
10 comments
janxx said: On June 26, 2010 11:09pm
@ Acorn, you should have taken the advice of the unpaid volunteer and read the information. It's not hard to do. Some volunteers are not artists. Those I spoke to didn't even understand the work and were unimpressed. Not really a surprise.
Regarding the no bags policy and if you go through you would appreciate why. This is an art installation not a "big toy" at the playground.
I'd recommend you see it.
Acorn said: On June 20, 2010 8:07am
We were passing by on Saturday and we had our two year old with us. We didn`t know what the exhibit was but assumed it was part of Luminato. While waiting for my husband to pay for parking, I approached the exhibit with my son and politely asked one of the volunteers what the ship was all about. He reluctantly said ``Well, there`s a sign over there that explains it, but.....``. I never ended up going on the ship, as I couldn`t take my purse with me and my husband hadn`t yet arrived. However, I was already put off by the volunteer`s attitude of preferring to redirect people to reading the sign 100 feet away, instead of having to (heaven forbid) explain the artist`s message directly to patrons. Here`s a suggestion: As a practising artist myself who would want my work best represented, the volunteers should have a brief explaination ready FIRST and then politely say, ``but if you would like more description, there is a great sign over there that goes more indepth.....``. Come on volunteers! As a volunteer in the arts community myself, I know how jaded one can get from having to explain things over and over again, but an enthusiastic attitude does wonders for a viewer`s perception of the art and can bring on a whole new dimension to the exhibit if the message is delivered properly. I hope for the artist`s (and patrons`) sake that no one else was put off by the less than enthused reception at this wonderful exhibit.
Allison @ Luminato said: On June 18, 2010 12:38pm
Hi Christine~
Unfortunately, this event is not currently wheelchair accessible.
Jeff_B said: On June 18, 2010 10:45am
It doesn't appear to be wheel chair accessible in any way and there is a large stair case going up and another coming down. So, my answer would be no.
Christine said: On June 17, 2010 1:25pm
is the ship of fools wheelchair accessible?
Allison @ Luminato said: On June 16, 2010 4:16pm
The Ship o' Fools event occurs daily, from June 11 - 20, between 11AM - 10PM.
Sarojini said: On June 16, 2010 9:55am
What time does this exhibit operate?
time, time, time, time ???
when?
Is it open in the evening/ at night? all the time?
Brad said: On June 13, 2010 12:04pm
Just to clarify, the Ship is closest to Queen Street. Its actually just west of the Queen St. gate to the park. Hope everyone finds it okay.
Su said: On June 12, 2010 12:00pm
Is the Ship at the north end, off Dundas, as the map shows, or closer to Queen. Coming with kids by TTC, so would like closest route.
janice said: On June 9, 2010 9:29am
Janet Cardiff is a shining star in the international art scene. It is amazing and only fitting to have her work represented at this festival.