There's currently an exhibition of Ansel Adams' and Alfred Eisenstaedt's B&W prints at the AGO. (The A-G-O stands for Art Gallery of Ontario for those not from around here).

Two master photographers who came into the burgeoning photographic medium in the late 1920s and made it into the professional fine artform it is today.

Ansel Adams, conservationist, member of the Sierra Club, co-founder of the Group f/64 (Straight Photography), teacher (Zone System Photography) and documentarian, is best known for his majestic vistas of Yellowstone National Park. Just imagining him wielding a cumbersome large format around, in pioneer conditions no less, loaded with glass plate negatives, black cloth, loupe, release cable, light meter and wooden tripod (not carbon fibre) - I wouldn't be able to do it, not without help anyway (Sherpa anyone?).

People recognized Ansel Adams for his pure landscapes (Moon And Half Dome pictured above) but few knew him for his other works, like his documentation of the Manzanar War Relocation Center in California (Manzanar From Guard's Tower, West View pictured left). During WWII, after the bombing of Pearl Harbour, the US government interned Japanese-Americans in these camps. He photographed and wrote a book called 'Born Free And Equal', which spoke out against their injustice and suffering, sadly to no avail; his message back in 1944, fell on deaf ears. His photographs are now part of a historic collection (American Memory Section) in the Library Of Congress.


Alfred Eisenstaedt was the pioneer of Candid Photography. V-J Day (pictured left) is his most reproduced piece. He recalls following the sailor though the streets in Times Square; the sailor was grabbing every girl in sight but none of the kissable candidates were the right one, until he suddenly saw a flash of something white being grabbed, Eisenstaedt whipped around and snapped the photo just as the sailor kissed the nurse. He could still recollect this photo down to its finest detail - Leitz 35mm rangefinder at 1/125 second exposure, aperture between 5.6 and 8 on Kodak Super Double X film. Yikes, and here I am, having trouble remembering what I did last night.

Also known as the Father Of Photojournalism, he freelanced for Pacific and Atlantic Photos, which would become the Associated Press in 1931, and soon afterward, was hired with three other photographers: Margaret Bourke-White, Thomas McAvoy and Peter Stackpole for a secret assignment known only as "Project X". After six months of testing, the mystery venture premiered as LIFE magazine in 1936. He covered everything from wars (Hiroshima in 1942 & Korea in 1950) to politicians (JFK) to Hollywood. Sophia Loren (pictured left) was filming 'Marriage Italian Style' in Roma in 1964; this photo of her wearing only a negligee became a cover shot that caused some LIFE readers to cancel their subscriptions. Haha.

Exhibition ends February 4th - go see it.

This is the best time to go visit the galleries. Why? Because it's finally winter outside and when it's cold in Canada, one heads indoors.

The Gladstone Hotel is an actual hotel, but a unique one at that; it's a four-storey building that incorporates artist exhibitions and artwork throughout the space - and I don't mean just the lobby and hallways. There are 37 artist-designed rooms that range from $175.00/night for a standard, up to $475.00/night for a suite. Woosh, not cheap, especially since the rooms are tiny!

A little game I play in galleries: 'My Name' - how I would entitle the artwork.

My favourite has to be The Floral Studios Room. (My name: The Jungle Love Room). Though technically it's not a hotel room as the designer hadn't set-up a bed yet; he just filled the room with luscious orchids - my favourite flower - it's heaven when you first walk in, you feel a slight increase in humidity, and the smell - refreshingly green - if you've ever walked into an arboretum or a conservatory, you'll know what I mean...


Here is The Postcard Room. (My name: The Wonky Plexiglass Hope To God It Doesn't Fall On My Head In The Middle Of The Night Room). I do like the way the plexiglass is cut - imitates layers which gives it depth. And great colour too!



The Billio Room. (My name: G's Room).
Fittingly the wardrobe is elevated by books; the G I'm thinking of is 6'3" and loves books. Aww gee, I wonder who I could be referring to?


A peacock light fixture in The Model Citizen Room. (My name: The Strut Your Stuff You Cock Room... well because of all the peacocks). Hmph. Model Citizen, schmodel schnitizen. I like my name better.





A corner wall in The Star Gazer Room. (My name: The Memory Game Room). Try to match up the shapes!


A naked woman in the shower - oh wait, no it's not. It's just an outline of one; it's on the sliding divider (used to hide the shower stall) in the bathroom of The Blue Line Room. (My name: The PSI Room...Perverted Scene Investigation). Also because there's another outline of an outstretched female on the comforter as well.


A funky light fixture in The Felt Room. (My name: The Mesmerizing Room). To be honest, I really don't recall too much of the room except for this light. The fixture would slowly spin and cast patterns of light on the wall. I was just mesmerized.


The Faux Naturelle Room. (My name: The Colourful Toupee Room). Holy crap! It's by Allyson! - a girl I knew back in university; she used to be my friend Lisa's roommate. Her bio says that she's still in university, teaching and completing her PhD - funny how small this city of 4.5 million is.

A lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

What the?


Aww, damnit. Here I am, all determined to start swimming again but the pool's closed until next week. And I even shaved my legs!




Look at that! Completely drained; empty. I think I once wanted to shoot a film in a pool - heeeeeeeey there's an idea for my script!

Where the fuck did December go?

Company Christmas - correction, Company Holiday - correction, Company Nothing-To-Do-With-Anything-Whatsoever Party. GAH! Funny how being politically correct feels so incorrect.



My birthday lunch with my listers: Kari, Jackie and MOI. Odd why I can't find any of my birthday dinner parties... oh well, all the better for my squeaky clean reputation.


Holiday Bash with Kathleen Edwards, Sarah Harmer, Sam Roberts, The Hip and so many more... good times!





Went to Marianne & Charlie's for Christmas Eve's Eve. Then hosted my first Family Christmas Eve Party! Christmas was at Lucie & Jean-Jacques, and Boxing Day was at Caroline & Simon's - voilà Simon Hefner, haha!

Looks like both Roxy and I got piggy stuff for Christmas.

Just got back from visiting Cathy & Angus in Ottawa for New Years. Oh yeah... HAPPY NEW YEARS! xxx.