Snuggle up at AGO All Hours

These days the Danish art of hygge is a popular way to cope with the winter blues, and it fittingly provides the inspiration for the next installment of AGO All Hours on January 25. Guest-curated by OCADU MFA Criticism & Curatorial Practice students, this special mid-winter edition of the AGO’s all-day, all-ages event presents an exciting lineup of young and emerging artists to help Torontonians of all ages get cozy this winter.  

With doors opening at 10:30 am, start your day at the Daydreamer’s Campsite in Walker Court, the epicentre of activity throughout the day. Furnished with floor cushions, furry pillows and a stage for songs and storytelling, this imaginary Campsite invites visitors to snuggle up together. Feeling crafty? Join a flurry of snowflake-making and help blanket Walker Court in a glittering layer of freshly created snow.

Later in the morning, join Toronto's favourite drag performers Fay and Fluffy for stories of acceptance during queer storytime at the Campsite. For those fluent in American Sign Language, the AGO’s Deaf Culture Tour, led by a member of the Toronto deaf community, departs from the Community Gallery on the Concourse Level at 11 am.

Later in the afternoon, the Campsite will host local Toronto musician Cheldon, also known as SlowPitchSound, for a DJ set of ambient sounds incorporating scratching, heavily altered samples, field recordings, visual effects and improvised dance moves.

Looking for more live music? The lights come down at the Campsite at 7 pm for an intimate performance by Polaris Prize-nominated Toronto R&B musician a l l i e, who will bring messages of self-love. a l l i e will also be leading a songwriting workshop in the afternoon. Generously supported by RBC, the workshop is offered on a first-come, first-served basis at the door.

Throughout the afternoon, Toronto artists Brittany Brooks and Sid Barron present their whimsical shadow puppet show, A Fireside Book of Fictitious Folk Songs, in the Marvin Gelber Print & Drawing Study Centre on Level 1.

Work your way up to Level 2 where Toronto art collective Tea Base will spend the day transforming Galleria Italia into a traditional tea shop. Visitors are invited to sample Chinese teas and to join in a game of Mahjong. Down the hall, Nova Scotia's Lindsay Dobbin transforms the Henry Moore Sculpture Centre with her sound installation Arrival (2019), inspired by a performance staged in the Bay of Fundy.

Looking for a little more movement? Get in the groove at 1, 3 and 5 pm with performers from Toronto’s Nostos Collective, who will animate the AGO’s Thomson Collection of European Art with original dance and innovative choreography.

Or join the conversation with Toronto criminal lawyer Kate Robertson for the third and final installment of the Mixed Methods talk series inside Hito Steyerl: This is the future, on Level 5. Robertson will discuss cyber-security, stalker-ware and the impact of technological change on the law.

Under the tutelage of legendary Toronto poet and activist Lillian Allen, OCADU students show off their own dub poetry skills throughout the afternoon with a series of spoken word performances responding to works in the AGO Collection.

Looking for more chances to create? Families with children five and under can drop by the Dr. Mariano Elia Hands-On Centre for artmaking activities and other forms of creative play. The roving Art Cart will also be moving throughout the museum, and don’t forget the Mindful Maker Space on the Concourse Level, where visitors of all ages can experiment and build to their hearts’ content.

Are you ready to get cozy at AGO All Hours? Follow #AGOAllHours for updates. Be ready to walk right in and sign up for your Annual Pass or Membership now. Single tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance online.