Taking place from January 20-26, 2014, the fourth annual Toronto Design Offsite Festival will showcase the best in Canadian design at events and exhibitions across the city, from unexpected prototypes to immersive installations.
The Toronto Design Offsite Festival (TO DO) is a not-for-profit, independent design festival happening annually at the end of January. TO DO’s aim is to provide exposure for local and national designers; to foster public understanding and knowledge of the practice of design; and to create an ongoing presence that promotes Canada’s creativity, drawing on great thinkers, practitioners, and educators to a deliver an innovative celebration of art and design.
A major highlight is the Toronto Design Offsite Festival’s second TO DO Awards presented by Herman Miller. An invited jury of design professionals vote for awards in two “Best in Festival” categories and also “Juror’s Choice,” while the public votes for four “People’s Choice” awards. Winners are awarded with iconic Herman Miller design objects. Look for the awards in the venue windows and beside winning objects throughout the festival after Friday, January 24, 2014. Jury members include: Kelly Cray of Union 31, Andrew Jones of Andrew Jones Design, Bradley Marks of designstead, Christopher Rowe of Herman Miller Canada, plus one additional juror to be announced. Instructions will be released at a later date on how to vote for the People’s Choice awards. The award categories include Best in Festival—New Work, Best in Festival—Exhibition, Juror’s Choice, People’s Choice—Favourite New Work, People’s Choice—Favourite Exhibition, People’s Choice—Favourite Event, and People’s Choice—Favourite Window Installation.
Another treat is the film screening of Eames: the Architect and the Painter at the Herman Miller Canada Showroom on Tuesday, January 21, 2014. Narrated by James Franco, the film brings to light a virgin cache of archival material, visually stunning films, photographs and artifacts produced by Charles and Ray Eames with their talented staff during the hypercreative 40-year epoch of the Eames Office.
Also returning is the ever-popular Come Up To My Room at the Gladstone Hotel, and which runs from Thursday, January 23, 2014 to Sunday, January 26, 2014. Come Up To My Room is the Gladstone Hotel’s annual alternative design event with 25 installations and 4,000 visitors, all in fewer than four days. The 60 artists and designers are limited only by their imaginations, making it one of the most exciting shows in Toronto.
Among the many special features this year is the 52nd Annual “Best Of” Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition Award Winners show, which takes place at the First Canadian Place Gallery from January 20-February 28, 2014. The exhibition celebrates 42 artists, exhibiting original work in 14 mediums. Award-winners were selected from 400 exhibitors by guest judges during the July 2013 exhibition held at Nathan Phillips Square.
Countless other installations, exhibitions and events guarantee a jam-packed week of activity during the chilly winter season, so for more information on the Toronto Design Offsite Festival and a full schedule of events, please visit www.todesignoffsite.com.