There are many writers who pen novels that withstand the changing styles, the ebb and flow of cultural interests, and linger in the human consciousness long after the author takes his last breath. Then, there are writers who pen stylistic masterpieces, but generate controversy in their personal lives and in their writing. My favourite writer, with utmost certainty, belongs to the latter group. His work inspired me to become a writer myself, as the prose, dedication to the story and the sheer magnitude of the project characterize his final novel – arguably the most famous true crime book of all time. “In Cold Blood” takes a gruesome, horrific crime and spins a masterfully crafted tale of murder, delving into the minds of both the perpetrators and neighbours of the victims. Truman Capote spent years researching his novel and living in a town he describes in a way that makes simplicity sound captivating. He writes that “the village of Holcomb stands on the high wheat plains of western Kansas, a lonesome area that other Kansans call ‘out there.’”
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In Toronto’s prestigious Yorkville, my best friend and I walk down streets peppered with buildings bearing expensive nametags – Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. – musing about the things we long for but cannot afford. Finally, though, we reach our destination – a hole in the wall, pop-up art gallery that honours one of the most iconic American artists, Andy Warhol.
The exhibit, Warhol Revisited, is more like a one-room exhibition of the author’s most famous work, decorated in the art deco style of silver plastic couches and black and white lines that one would often associate with the artist. The room itself is painted mostly white, about the size of a traditional boutique, lined not with clothes but with bright canvases depicting anything from soup cans to cows to faces of Marilyn Monroe. Admittedly, it serves less as an educational tool and more as an homage, reminding the masses why he became so quickly adored, highlighting his most famous pieces that come accompanied by postcard-sized description of the work. To be honest, the part that captivated me the most was entirely unexpected. I stood for a good five minutes staring at the wall across from the 3 bookshelves that serve as a gift shop, marvelling at my fortuitous discovery. Staring back at me was a man I idolized, and the reason I became a writer. The highly controversial author/socialite Truman Capote was immortalized by Warhol in 1979, in exchange for Capote writing a weekly column for Warhol’s decade-old magazine, Interview. I happened to be carrying one of Capote’s books in my bag, and pulled it out to pose with the man who inspired me and his work. My fascination and excitement drew the attention of the staff, who seemed to be genuinely interested in what they were being paid to work for (a quality increasingly rare in employees of our time). My best friend and I paid $5 each to view the exhibit (solely because we are students, regular patrons pay $10), and spent about 20 minutes in the room. I wouldn’t necessarily classify this as a day-trip, but more as an interesting add-on to a day spent at the Royal Ontario Museum, the modern, 4 storied architectural masterpiece just up the road. The exhibit runs until the last day of 2015, and the exact address is 77 Bloor Street West. In exchange a half hour of time and the price of a lunch meal, your vision, even just for a while, turns technicolour. Check out some pictures above. My adventure began early; around 8:30 in the morning. We took the 4 hour trip north to the tip of the Georgian Bay, finding ourselves in Tobermory, Ontario. But, spending the day surrounded by large, lush, trees, crystal blue water and staggering cliffs, you feel worlds away from suburbia, and from any semblance of Toronto.
Tobermory is the picturesque epitome of a small community, where the houses are few and far between, and there are definitely more trees than people. But, hiking around the trails, everyone stops to say hello, and they're populated enough to make you feel safe. The shortest hike is about 25 minutes and leads you to a grotto - a rocky beach with, potentially, the bluest water in Ontario. Though the temperature of the water itself is cool, people have no problem jumping in, even off of very high cliffs. There are waterfalls, lighthouses, and sights galore, and the town itself is populated with exactly the cute little shops you'd imagine: bookstores, candy stores and restaurants that all offer the famous local whitefish (which is very delicious, and served with vegetables and rice so you won't need more food). The getaway spot also offers camping, snorkelling to see shipwrecks, and boat cruises to nearby Flowerpot and Manitoulin Islands. If you have a weekend and nice weather, Tobermory is just the place to spend it, revelling in nature's true beauty. It's that time of year again, when nearly everyone in downtown Toronto keeps their head on a constant swivel when walking the bustling streets of the city's core, hoping to catch a glimpse of someone famous (Johnny Depp received tons of attention while exploring the hipster-heavy Kensington Market). TIFF is here, and along with the celebrities, the city celebrates in the best possible way - bars stay open till 4am, and anybody who has even the slightest knowledge of trends is out in search of a good time.
Last night, the Drake150 hosted a TIFF "opening party" of sorts, featuring a live band, a DJ and the typical trendy Drake atmosphere. Looking around, I saw an eclectic mix of personality types - from hipsters to trendy-fashion types to post-work business-men still in suits to a few older guys drinking beers in plaid shirts with their buddies. But, the beauty of TIFF was ever-present: everyone was co-mingling, dancing, laughing, and generally having a good time. People who, ordinarily, probably would not converse with one-another seemed deep into conversation, likely spurred by the whispers of celebrity names blowing like wind through the crowd. The party ended at 4am, and the crowd remained relatively stable until then. The place was packed, and it took quite a while for my party to receive the over-priced drinks we ordered (I paid $14 for an Amaretto sour and I may still be in shock). We sat on the patio, just outside of the action, where the atmosphere and noise level was more conducive to conversation without yelling. The bar had constant waves of people flowing to and from the bar, interacting with each other in huddles like buoys, claiming their territory among the constant motion. This, obviously, made it a bit difficult to order, but the atmosphere allowed for it - no one seemed to notice how long the whole process took. Needless to say, everyone I spoke to enjoyed themselves last night, and is looking forward to another season (week) of TIFF. The parties run late, the city comes alive, and celebrity-spotting runs more rampant than it does for tourists in Beverly Hills. That is, of course, if you don't let the experience be over-shadowed by the 20 minute wait for a $14 drink. |
AuthorBy: Erica Archives
September 2015
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