We told you it was going to be the party of the season (we also told you not to book any morning meetings the next day, so hopefully that worked out for you).
In all of its visually stimulating, alternate reality-filled glory, Power Ball XIX: Stereo Vision presented by Max Mara definitely didn’t disappoint.
Toronto’s powerhouse event planners, Candice & Alison, transformed the Power Plant into an interactive playground of an event for the editorial-worthy crowd that graced the sprawling venue and its breezy outdoor real estate.
The some 1500 guests – the city’s art world elite and charity gala regulars (including Kardinal Offishall and Real Housewife Joan Kelley Walker) – enjoyed talking points like a massive edible marshmallow art wall, a performance by the Darcys, a showcase of Max Mara’s fall 2017 collection, a sparkly virtual reality station from FASHION magazine and a BBQ sauce fountain to drench chicken wings served up by Parts & Labour.
Of course, this was in addition to the Instagram-worthy art installations that filled the space and inspired no shortage of photo ops.
Installations included a three-channel projection by Kelly Richardson that took the traditions of landscape painting into the contemporary digital realm with a large display of futuristic, moving holographic trees; an interactive piece by Daniel Barrow that explored themes of fantasy, empathy, isolation and queerness through intricate, live, manual animations on overhead projectors; and a nostalgic DeLorean with its doors up that greeted guests outside.
Also on display was a special photography exhibition by Torrance Hall, the 2017 Max Mara Young Visionary Award winner, which explored the relationship between his imagination, dreams and everyday vision of human experiences.
Those at the earlier VIP portion took in a special performance by Mexico City-based architecture and design studio Pedro&Juana. Ana Paula Ruiz Galindo and Mecky Reuss collaborated with performance artist Francesco Pedraglio for a show full of alternative reality vignettes that explores the juncture between the real and the represented. VIP guests also enjoyed perks like bites from Drake catering and Brandon Olsen chocolates.
The funds raised in the not-to-miss evening (which kept many glass-clinking, dancing and vaping guests there to the end) supported exhibitions and public programs at The Power Plant.
Photos by Nick Lee
