NARWHAL ART PROJECTS & FRIENDSWITHYOU are pleased to present DAYDREAMERS, a solo exhibition with Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III, the incredible minds behind the magic that is FriendsWithYou. Showcasing the first exhibition of their painted works in several years, and focusing on large scale acrylic paintings and soft watercolours, FriendsWithYou reveal a fantastical universe full of colours, magical themes and spirituality. Much like the powerful enchantments they insert into all their projects, Daydreamers focuses on FriendsWithYou’s creative adventures and the spells they conjure as part of their personal mythology. Spreading the message of ‘Wish Come True’, FriendsWithYou lead us into their dreamy existence, expressing magic throughout the city of Toronto through installations and performance during the Luminato festival.
FriendsWithYou are globally-renowned for their vivid pop art aesthetic and brilliantly bizarre character design. DAYDREAMERS offers a rare look into the dense, delicate personal layers that take place behind the large-scale, physical presence of the artists’ experimental installations. Exploring the more unseen dimensions of the FriendsWithYou psyche, DAYDREAMERS presents a softer, more ephemeral portrait of their recent narratives, as Borkson and Sandoval put forward a deeply intimate glimpse into the representations of their transitory, dream-like states where the spirit of their expressive process is just coming into invention. Reflecting themes of metamorphosis, pleasure seeking and pure innocence in the portraiture of their fledgling subjects, Borkson and Sandoval present an unadulterated celebration of the imagination that defines their artistic practice and the visionary outlook that inspired their project for “Wish Come True”. Much in the manner that Borkson and Sandoval aim to create immersive totalities for the playful environments of their installations, with DAYDREAMERS the artists bring us into an inward realm unto themselves, creating heartfelt emotional space between the greater unknowns of their magical world.
Opening Reception:
Thursday June 10th
7-10pm
Artists will be in attendance.
Runs June 10 – July 4
Photos from the Daydreamers FriendsWithYou Opening Reception, June 10, 2010:
Photos of Rainbow City, Public Installation at Queens Park June 16-20, 2010
Coming Soon
Image courtesy of ammomag.com |
In 2002, Miami-born artists Sam Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III began FriendsWithYou with the aim to promote a different kind of creative practice; one that is fundamentally inspiring, developing larger-than-life artistic environments to immerse patrons into their FriendsWithYou universe, one that seeks common ground to give people the chance to believe in themselves, and connect with one another. The imaginative world of FriendsWithYou has taken shape in the form of designer toys, large-scale installations, experimental gallery exhibitions, digital video, graphic design and other media—running the gamut of fine arts, public events, advertising and entertainment. From the “Skywalkers Parade” with 60-foot tall characters for Art Basel Miami, to an inflatable fun house for 30,000 people at Scope Art Fair, to creating a permanent playground “Rainbow Valley” inside Miami’s largest shopping mall, one can see why Borkson and Sandoval would describe their large-scale art projects as an “explosion”. Creating modern-day sanctums, they curate wonderful performances that are part confessional and part mystical ceremony—furthering the artists’ mandate to foster good wishes for luck, friendship and fortune. As a message that is invariably accessible and positive, FriendsWithYou believe in promoting a sense of exuberance against today’s general attitude of detachment. As Borkson feels, “In the sterile settings of modern society, spiritual outlets have become a low priority within our daily routines”. With a strong emphasis on belief, FriendsWithYou maintain that the more you believe in their magic powers, the more they become a reality. FriendsWithYou truly believe that items can be enchanted totems and talismans can bring good fortune. And after having established their place in the art world, the group have expanded their reach with FWYstudios to create incredible and innovative products; a home for the characters and concepts that foster/bridge new territory between the fine art and the commercial realm. |
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NARWHAL PROJECTS
Address
2988 Dundas St. W.
Toronto, ON Canada
M6P 1X6
647.346.5317
