The Power Plant's Old & New Tech Themed PowerBall

Text and photos by Sonya Davidson

Last night brought out the most influential and high-profiled crowd in Toronto's contemporary art scene. Considered THE fundraising gala of the year, The Power Plant's annual PowerBall featured much talked about theme of "Old/New World." 

This year’s event paid tribute to the revolutionary time when digital technology developed from an analogue world, transforming everything from music, art, fashion and food. The event celebrated the the old and new world with work by local and international artists.

English British artist Naomi Kashiwagi and her multi-disciplinary performance entitled Gramophinca, gave party revellers the experience of live gramophone glitching. Kashiwagi played 78rpm records re-appropirated on a wind-up gramophone, demonstrating the potential to transform sounds for one era to another.

New York-based artist duo CONFETTISYSTEM created streams of gold that hung from the ceiling in exact precision for their art installation. Nicholas Andersen and Julie Ho’s previous creations include creating sets for the fashion and music industry including Opening Ceremony, United Bamboo, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Beach House. Their work has also been exhibited in art galleries and museums in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Holland.

Jon Rafman, an award-winning Montreal artist featured his work that blurs the distinction between virtual and physical realities; an installation that hosted a number of artists and their projectors.

The Power Ball is the largest annual fundraising event for The Power Plant (Toronto). It supports the year round exhibitions and public programming of the gallery. Since its inception in 1999, the Power Ball has grown to attracted a sold out crowd of 1,5000 guests to the playful and spectacular events.