Analogue Meets Digital at Power Ball 2014

If last year was any indication, this year’s Power Ball was sure to be amazing once again. Held at Canada’s leading contemporary art gallery on June 5th, The Power Plant, Power Ball 2014 welcomed over 1,500 guests who came to support the exhibitions and programs that the Power Plant holds every year.

This year’s theme “Old/New World” celebrates the transition between the analogue world and the digital world we live in today. The main area exuded this old world/new world theme with CONFETTISYSTEM’s installation of hanging golden tinsels evoking the 1970s, but cut in very modern sharp right angles. The attendees also embraced this theme wholeheartedly with the fashion on display that night. Some chose to go very futuristic, going with interesting silhouettes and shapes. Others dressed according to their favourite past decade, whether it be the roaring twenties, or the disco era seventies, or any other pre-digital era. A cool accessory for the women was a computer circuit board used as a hairpiece or jewellery.

CONFETTISYSTEM | Photo: Nick Lee

Art was at the forefront of this event of course. There was a private performance of Gramophonica by award-winning English British artist Naomi Kashiwagi, which resonated deeply with Power Ball’s theme. In this performance, Kashiwagi took 78rpm records re-appropriated with electrical tape, and “glitched” them on a wind up gramophone. This produced distortions, amplifications, crackles, and other sounds, reminiscent of today’s hip hop or techno music. There was an area for B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Beamer) – where artists showcased their work via digital projectors. Other participating artists included Christine Davis, Jon Rafman, and Oli Sorenson.

Artist Naomi Kashiwagi performing Gramophonica | Photo: John Tan

Food and drink were abundant throughout the night. On arrival you immediately notice the playful candy bar where you can box your own assortment of confectionary. Directly opposite is one of no less than six drink bars, each of which has unique cocktails based on different liquors from Don Julio Tequila to Tanqueray Gin to Ciroc Vodka. Beer was from Kronenbourg 1664 – my personal favourite. There were pulled pork sandwiches, wings, cheese and crackers, charcuterie, quiches, and even hotdogs with a station for gourmet toppings.

Candy Bar | Photo: John Tan

Power Ball is the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery’s largest annual fundraiser, and it shows. We love Power Ball, not just because it’s one of the year’s best parties, but more importantly because of what it supports, celebrates and promotes – art, and artists who create and inspire. We look forward to next year’s Power Ball, which is sure to be again the year’s biggest and best arts bash.

For more information:
http://www.thepowerplant.org
Twitter: @ThePowerPlantTO #PowerBallTO

Also, check out our coverage of Power Ball in previous years:
Power Ball 2013
Power Ball 2012

More Photos by Nick Lee and John Tan