Acclaimed AGO exhibition to travel to Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, this summer
TORONTO — The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) has enjoyed an exciting run of its acclaimed exhibition Jean-Michel Basquiat: Now’s the Time and is throwing a special party during the closing weekend to celebrate. On Saturday, May 9, 2015, the Gallery will stay open from 5:30 to 10 p.m., and specially priced tickets will be available for those hours to ensure that all Torontonians have a chance to experience this once-in-a-lifetime glimpse into Basquiat’s groundbreaking artistic vision.
An all-ages event, the evening features DJs spinning music from Basquiat’s era, pop-up spoken word and beat-boxing performances, plus cash bars and food service in the Gallery’s central Walker Court. Bar service will be available for visitors 19+. At 7 and 8:30 p.m., the AGO Youth Council presents Counterpoint, a special performance in Walker Court featuring break dancers and ballet dancers that explores the relationship between high culture and pop culture through an unforgettable mashup. All programming is presented in partnership with Unity Charity.
Tickets for timed-entry to Jean-Michel Basquiat: Now’s the Time between 5:30 and 10 p.m. — which include admission to the party — are $12.50 for all ages. Admission is FREE for AGO members and for children five and under. Tickets are available for purchase online at ago.ca, in person and over the phone. The last timed-entry to the exhibition is 9 p.m.
The exhibition remains on view for one final day on Sunday, May 10, 2015, during normal visiting hours of 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m, and regular prices remain in effect.
Praised as “impressively broad and surprisingly nuanced” by the Globe and Mail, Jean-Michel Basquiat: Now’s the Time marks the first major exhibition of the artist’s works in Canada. Featuring over 80 artworks, primarily large-scale paintings and works on paper from museums and private collections across North America and Europe, the exhibition has been on view at the AGO since Feb. 7, 2015. An overnight celebrity and art world superstar by age 20, Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) became famous for his powerful paintings that referenced the world around him — art history, music, the urban environment and popular culture — to explore issues of race, identity and social injustice.
The exhibition, organized by the Art Gallery of Ontario and guest curated by renowned Austrian art historian, curator and critic Dieter Buchhart, will travel to the esteemed Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, where it will be on view from July 3 to Nov. 1, 2015.
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Jean-Michel Basquiat: Now’s the Time is organized by the AGO.
Lead Supporter: Hal Jackman Foundation
Generously supported by: TD Bank Group | Robert Harding
Government Partner: Government of Ontario
Supported by the Government of Canada / Avec l’appui du gouvernement du Canada.
Official Hotel Partner: Chelsea Hotel, Toronto
The AGO acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, which last year invested $153 million to bring the arts to Canadians throughout the country. / Nous remercions le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien. L’an dernier, le Conseil a investi 153 millions de dollars pour mettre de l’art dans la vie des Canadiennes et des Canadiens de tout le pays.
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Media contacts:
Jumol Royes; News Officer, AGO Communications
416-979-6660, ext. 504, [email protected]
Caitlin Coull; Manager, AGO Communications
416-979-6660, ext. 364, [email protected]