New “First Impressions” Series Exhibited on the TTC
March 14, 2011 – Launched today on TTC subways and buses, the latest series of the First Impressions, produced by Toronto Arts Council in partnership with Heritage Toronto, features four Toronto artists: actor Arsinée Khanjian, dancer Keiko Kitano, as well as two historic figures - 20th century documentary film-maker Harry Rasky and 19th century writer, Anna Jameson. The First Impressions exhibition is a TTC poster campaign generously supported by RBC Royal Bank and the Gerald George Partnership. The First Impressions series comprises of a total of 16 posters featuring historic and contemporary artists, and their impressions of Toronto. The series was launched in September of 2009 to celebrate Toronto’s artists and Toronto’s stories.
Previously featured (May 2010): contemporary video artist and cultural critic Richard Fung, and composer and interdisciplinary artist Juliet Palmer, and two historic figures: anarchist, activist and writer Emma Goldman, and landscape artist Lucius O’Brien. The inaugural series (September 2009) portray dancer and choreographer Lata Pada, theatre artist and artistic director Soheil Parsa, 20th century author Pierre Berton, and 19th century artist and diarist Elizabeth Simcoe.
First Impressions celebrates our diverse heritage and Toronto’s arts community, past and present. The project highlights how different waves of immigration have built our city, and reveals the artists’ stories in an engaging and public way. Through its exposure on the TTC over the past year and a half, First Impressions has reached out to a broad cross-section of contemporary Torontonians to help them realize the importance of their own stories to the historical narrative of our city.
Local artists have remarked on the surprise in seeing local contemporary artists honoured alongside historic figures from Canadian History in the public and accessible context of the Toronto subway. The series recognizes the significance of art with the development in our country and the role immigration plays in the evolution of the arts in Toronto.First Impressions has been generously supported by RBC. The graphic design is the creative work of The George Partnership. The portraits of the contemporary artists were made by Toronto photographer Giulio Muratori.
Profiles of the artists and additional photos are posted on both http://www.heritagetoronto.org/ and www.torontoartsfoundation.org/Our-Programs/First-Impressions
About Heritage Toronto - Heritage Toronto works with the citizens of Toronto to advocate for, preserve, and promote a greater appreciation for our city’s rich heritage. Through partnerships with local community groups and volunteers, Heritage Toronto works to heighten awareness of our shared history by providing city-wide programs and services. Programs include free neighbourhood walking tours, the annual Heritage Toronto Awards and William Kilbourn Memorial Lecture, a heritage plaques and markers program and participation in Doors Open Toronto. www.heritagetoronto.org
About the Toronto Arts Council - Toronto is home to Canada’s largest, most diverse, community of artists. Toronto Arts Council supports the development, accessibility and excellence of the arts by offering grants programs to the city's arts organizations and professional artists. These programs are adjudicated by arts professionals and are funded, at arms length, by the City of Toronto. TAC invests in a broad range of activities from individual creation and small start-up projects to some of Canada's largest and most renowned arts institutions. Now in its 35th year, TAC annually supports over 450 arts organizations and another 200 individual artists. www.torontoarts.org
Toronto Arts Foundation advocates for the arts, raising funds through donations, sponsorships, and grants to create innovative programs that support all artists: from world-renowned painters to young singers at the Regent Park School of Music, and from contemporary galleries and performing arts companies to the arts festivals that enrich our city and our lives. First Impressions is a Toronto Arts Foundation program.