Category Archives: blog

Published May 29th, the Toronto Star featured a story about the Re-imagine Galleria’s exhibition Place and Placement. Organized by Dyan Marie and Darren Leu of urban arts group “How we live in cities”, the article highlights provocative ideas of creating small spot gardens to connect existing neighborhood parks and residential gardens to the future redevelopment of the Galleria Mall site at Dufferin and Dupont Street in Toronto.  The exhibit offers large scale artwork by David Acheson, smaller sculptures by Ed Burtynsky and John Dickson among others, to workshops that encourage locals to produce their own spot gardens and seed bombs and hope that the idea thrives and spreads throughout the area both before and after the new community at the mall site emerges. Follow the link to read the full article at: https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/visualarts/2017/05/29/new-art-show-at-galleria-mall-captures-an-anxious-moment-as-development-looms.html

The opening night of the Place and Placement Exhibit at the Reimagine Galleria, in the Galleria Mall in Toronto took place on Thursday, May 18th, 2017.  Following a blustery windstorm early in the evening, the skies cleared for a well-attended gathering of artists, friends, family, local residents and even the Ward 18 Toronto city councillor, Ana Bailao. The evening included introductions of the artist’s work, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music and a festive atmosphere.  Many thanks to Dyan Marie, the exhibit coordinator that brought the show together and coordinated the details and to all the artists involved in this exhibit.   How we live in Cities Presents:  Place and Placement  May 18 – July 15, 2017 Featured Exhibits West Room: Presence    by David Acheson Middle Gallery: Way Finding    by Catherine Beaudette, Edward Burtynsky, Eldon Garnet, Darren Leu, Heather Nicol, John Dickson, Noel Harding, Time and Desire, Reinhard Reitzenstein East Room: Earth Room Worm Hole     by Natalia Bakaeva and Mark Francis Outside / Overhead: Sun Lights    by Eric Anthony Charron Monitor:  Eden Archive   by Dyan Marie Work Room: Spot Gardens     by Botanicus Art Ensemble, Toronto Seed Library, Tool Exchange and HWLIC  

Place and Placement Exhibition On May 18th, 2017, upcycledXD will be participating in the Place and Placement Exhibition at the Reimagine Galleria located in the Galleria Mall in Toronto, at Dufferin and Dupont Streets.  The Exhibition will feature art works that will inspire and encourage a new series of art and garden corridors (spot gardens) that intend to connect local parks and recreation spaces, emanating from the upcoming re-development of the Galleria Mall site and Wallace-Emerson Community Centre/ Park. Works by notable artists will be featured including David Acheson, Catherine Beaudette, Edward Burtynsky, Eldon Garnet, Darren Leu, Heather Nicol, John Dickson, Noel Harding, Reinhard Reitzenstein, Time and Desire, Interspacial, Dyan Marie and Eric Charron (upcycledXD).  Eric will be installing a series of “Sun Lights” – a variation of the Blue Bottle Bubble series of reclaimed plastic bottle chandeliers that will be solar powered above the gallery and mall entrance. Please follow the link to the event website for full descriptions of the works and biographies of the artists taking part.  Hope to see you there, and stay posted for photos of the opening event! http://civicstudies.ca/place-and-placement/ ______________________________ How We Live In Cities PLACE & PLACEMENT Exhibition, workshops and discussions towards an […]

Pulp Party was a great success on January 14th, 2017! PULP: Reclaimed Materials Art and Design is a Toronto-based not-for-profit corporation set to encourage community building and environmental awareness.  The event combined reclaimed materials installation art, live music, dancing, and charity. In addition to being a fun event that made you think about environmental awareness, it was a fundraiser designed to examine the current life cycle of paper materials (among others) and investigate alternative uses. Each year, the organization supports a Toronto charity. This year, artist Ksenija Spasic worked again with staff and youth at YSM Evergreen Centre, making wearable art for the event. In addition, funds raised during the event will go to Evergreen Centre for Street-Involved Youth. Evergreen Centre for at risk street youth which provides varied and nutritious meals at their youth drop-in centre. Last year they donated over $1500 to the cause. A sell out crowd filled the “blue box wonderland” that transformed 360 Geary Avenue.  The space was filled with the work of 20 artists built out of reclaimed materials, including paper, vinyl records, plastic bottles, styrofoam peanuts and wood palettes just to name a few. Many thanks to all the artists involved.  Here is a […]

Ever partied in a room full of paper, plastic and reclaimed materials?   Get ready for PULP: paper art party 2017, an evening of reclaimed materials installation art, music, and chairty. PULP will take place on Saturday, January 14, at Geary Lane (360 Geary Ave.)   Over 20 artists and designers have submitted proposals to build 10 installations out of reclaimed materials in order to turn Geary Lane into an original, blue-bin playground.  UpcycledXD will be represented with a display of Solar Bottle Bubbles that will illuminate the bar area.   The event will feature live music by Vivienne Wilder, performances by Aleks Bartosik, and DJs Ebony and Wasserman. Cash bar, this is a 19+ event.   Funds raised at the event will be donated to Yonge Street Mission Evergreen Centre for Street Involved Youth, who are also creating art for the event.   Please RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/983831441746526/   Website: http://pulpartparty.ca/ Twitter: @pulpartparty Instagram: @pulp.art.party We’ll see you there!  

In late November 2016, the Centre for Social Innovation, a dynamic co-working space at 215 Spadina Avenue in Toronto became the most recent location for the installation of a bottom’s-up chandelier. This restored brick-and-beam warehouse building, now a series of office spaces features lots of natural light, open spaces, a green roof and a living breathing bio-wall in the entrance lobby. The 4th Floor space for the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) now boasts an additional green feature in the bottom’s-up chandelier which is prominently displayed over the communal kitchen within the entrance / gathering lounge. The chandelier can be viewed during business hours weekdays and will be on exhibit until the end of May 2017.

Designed to fit over a 70’s style globe light, this hybrid chandelier combines the styles of the Tops-down and Bottom’s-up chandeliers. Cascading 2′ from the ceiling, the chandelier is friction fitted over the existing lamp jazzing up the aesthetic of the apartment while allowing easy removal to change bulbs. If you would like a chandelier piece like this or any other work from our portfolio, please contact upcycledxd@gmail.com

In late September 2015, a client bid farewell to his apartment which contains an original custom-sized bottom’s-up chandelier by upcycledXD.  The evening carried on beneath the glow of the chandelier creating a festive, yet bitter-sweet send off.  The piece now lives on in the hands of a new occupant to enjoy and celebrate.

Earlier this year, upcycledXD assisted a client with the relocation of a tops-down Chandelier from a New York City apartment to a new building in Chicago.  As part of the relocation, the fixture was required to be adapted to stand vertically and independently in a floor base, rather than being suspended as it had previously been installed.  With some adjustments and re-sizing, this once hanging-only chandelier takes on more versatility, now enabled to stand alone or hang from ceilings.

The summer issue of Novella Magazine in Toronto has been released!!  Eric Charron and his upcycled works are the featured Art & Culture Profile article in the centre spreads.  You can pick up your copy of Novella at Gateway news stands in the #1 Line Subway (Yonge /Spadina) south of Bloor Street.  It is also available in numerous downtown hotels – Trump International Hotel, Fairmont Royal York, Ritz Carlton, Gladstone Hotel, Templar Hotel, The Omni King Edward and the Windsor Arms as well as many boutiques, galleries and cafes throughout the city. You can also access the article about Eric at Novella’s website: http://novellamag.com/architectartist-eric-charron/