One of the bright spots (for me at least) of the recent Innovators + Ideas series @ Harbourfront was Patty Johnson and her frank and honest view of the Canadian 'craft' industry. Paul McClure brought much of what he teaches @ George Brown however seeing it in relation to his work was inspiring.

My Q: "Where are Canadian production artists falling short"

Patty Johnson: "Critical Thinking" (Followed by a lengthily panel debate)

I didn't get a chance to thank her @ the presentation however I am most appreciative of her feedback, which I am afraid may have been lost not only on the crowd but some of the panellists.

Combined with the Thursday presentation by Renny Ramakers, I'm inspired to introduce some projects to my peers this summer modelling the EU arts experience.

More about Patty: http://www.keilhauer.com/designerbio/designerbio.asp?DesignerID=13&CompanyInfo=true
More about Paul: http://www.paulmcclure.com/

Innovators + Ideas: Craft Production Process Panel Presentation- Straight Talk Canadian Style http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/noflash/visarts/i2.php

Saturday February 25 / 1 pm to 4 pm / Brigantine Room @ Harbourfront Center, Paul McClure (GBC) will be presenting with Van McKenzie (studio jeweler), Patty Johnson (furniture designer) and Jeff Goodman (glass artist) and will “offer practical information and realistic expectations; dispelling preconceived and pejorative notions about production work.”

My first foray into a ‘real world’ presentation on production work, it will be interesting to see how it influences my production work moving forward.

A 2^nd event @ Harbourfront to look forward to is: Don Friedlich (USA) lectures

Lecture I: His Work April 1 / 10:30 am / Studio Theatre

Lecture II: The Technology of Multiples April 1 / 1:00 pm / Studio Theatre

http://www.interiordesignshow.com/2006/

Spending the afternoon @ the trade opening of the T.O. Interior Design Show today, looking forward to some of the design lectures ~ sorry no digi cam.

The globe 'style council' seems to be fixated on botanical themes, and bathroom tiles. I think I'll be looking for a bit more...

<edit> Well the globe was right, tiles, tiles and more tiles (ala roman bath mosaic work) were HUGE this year followed a close 2nd by wooden designs and the 'Muskoka' cabin look. Interesting to see Canadiana marketed beside some extremely contemporary almost minimalist works.

Renny Ranmakers from Droog Design / Netherlands: had an inspiring presentation on young design work being done @ http://www.droogdesign.nl and more importantly she sparked some ideas for collaborative efforts to roll-out within the jewellery/design community here. She has also founded a 2^nd company called; chi ha paura... ? http://chihapaura.com/  which is a bit more jewellery-centric, however they share similar design principles.

Torbjorn Anderssen from Norway Says http://www.norwaysays.com cancelled his 2pm presentation, and I was a bit too tired to see Jack Lenor Larsen speak ~ bit disappointed about that.