Being Toronto

2010

2010-01-14T07:39:00.000-08:00

As we launch a new year and a new decade, the question remains “how do we understand ourselves and each other.” From Hollywood blockbusters like Avatar to young guys on the streets, we are being asked to really “see” each other.

As we move forward, BeingToronto will continue to explore the neighborhoods of Toronto providing and opportunity both to see and been seen. Asking what an intimate portrait, captured on the streets and public spaces of Toronto, tell us about our city, our neighborhoods, and ourselves.

And while taking a break to help organize and shoot the Help Portrait Project, we are now actively looking for our next venue (public and weather protected). If you have suggestions please pass them along.

Stay in touch and stay tuned.

Cheers,

John Beebe and Michelle Gibson

BeingThere

2009-11-17T10:26:00.000-08:00

Some of people who showed up and stepped in

Next Stop?

2009-09-17T13:30:00.000-07:00

The buzz is still spreading.
Where next? We want your ideas and input. What corner, what neighborhood, what indoor location (weather is not as predictable these days).
We want your feedback. So leave a suggestion here.

A short timelapse of some set-up time

2009-09-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the crew for all their hard work: Bobby, Sarah, and Paola!

Gerrard and Broadview, Toronto - The Portraits

2009-09-11T17:50:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who stepped off the street and into our studio.
Photographs by John Beebe and Michelle Gibson

Impressions from Our New Partners

2009-09-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

The Toronto Diversity project experience was most enjoyable as well as insightful. I was able to interact and have meaningful exchanges with persons from different walks of life. The City of Toronto is indeed a rich dichotomy of values and beliefs representing a wide range of creed and culture: yet still from my observations we appear as `one'.

Jean-Paul Jean-Baptiste - Building Equitable Environments

Talking to people about diversity and their experiences living and working in Toronto was a rewarding experience. We spoke to young and old, people of different races, cultures, abilities, sexual orientations, religions and genders. People were passionate, thoughtful, and willing to share their experiences with us. What we heard consistently was the wish that people would to talk to each other more, ask more questions, and get to know each other in order to make our workplaces and neighbourhoods more inclusive. It was exciting, humbling and inspiring. These are the conversations we need to have collectively, so that we can make Toronto not just diverse, but inclusive. Looking forward to the next opportunity to connect!
Annemarie Shrouder
President, Building Equitable Environments

Gerrard and Broadview, Toronto - The Scene

2009-09-11T13:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who stepped in and participated. A special thanks to our great crew Paola, Bobby, and Sarah - you guys rocked!

S1 - Power

2009-09-11T06:39:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to S1 - Toronto's premier rental studio and production company. They provided the power (in the form of a quiet Honda generator) that kept us going all day shooting, producing and printing on the street.

The Buzz

2009-09-10T19:17:00.000-07:00

On the opening day of TIFF we broke through the media to be on CBC - Twice. Once for a half hour on Ontario Today and again on Here and Now. Also visits from BlogTO, OiToronto, and others.

An Exceptional Day

2009-09-10T19:15:00.000-07:00

The range of people who stepped in blew us away. Stay tuned for images coming soon.

Next Installation

2009-09-08T07:28:00.000-07:00

Thursday, September 10th, 2009 1:00 - 7:00 pm. We relaunch.

In partnership with Building Equitable Environments, we are creating a multi-media installation on the corner of Gerrard St and Broadview Ave in Toronto. We will shooting, producing, printing and exhibiting large scale gallery quality prints on the sidewalk. In addition, we will have a video crew providing people the opportunity to engage in a dialogue on the nature of diversity.

Come out and join BeingToronto

The Momentum Is Building – Recent Press Coverage

2009-08-11T18:10:00.000-07:00

While shooting at Eglington and Oakwood Ave a couple of weeks ago, we were joined by a reporter and photographer from the Toronto Star. Last week they ran the story (it featured a great picture of Michelle shooting, unfortunately you don’t see it on-line).

Last night Michelle and I appeared on SunTV’s Canoe Live with Janette Luu. Janette was great, and according to reports from those who actually saw the clip, SunTV did a really nice job of featuring our images throughout the segment.

So please join us, September 10th when we are shooting on Gerrard and Broadview in South Riverdale. We will continue to capture the complex and richness that is... BeingToronto.

Eglington and Oakwood July 22, 2009

2009-07-24T13:50:00.000-07:00

We were stunned by the variety of humanity who stepped into our booth on the street. Thank you. You are all beautiful.

Photos by Michelle and John

Eglington and Oakwood June 24, 2009

2009-07-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

Part of our Day 1 photo booth experience in the Eglinton Ave. West neighbourhood. Just a selection of some of the great people who stopped by our street studio.

Photos by Michelle

Eglinton and Glenholme Day 1

2009-07-21T16:30:00.001-07:00

These are some people in the neighborhood.

Photos By John

Eglinton West Neighbourhood

2009-07-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

Part of our Day 1 photo booth experience in the Eglinton Ave. West neighbourhood. Just a selection of some of the great people who stopped by our street studio.

Beautiful Mary by Michelle

Jacob by Michelle

Johanna by Michelle

Mike by Michelle

Sandure by Michelle

Matthew by Michelle

About Michelle and John

2009-07-20T09:23:00.000-07:00

John is an internationally exhibited photographer who creates intimate and authentic portraits that capture the bracing humanity of extraordinary individuals. His subjects range from A-list celebrities, politicians, and business people to teachers, cowboys and people living on the street.

John recently immigrated to Canada from the United States with his family and gets a kick every time he walks out onto the streets of Toronto.

John work has been featured at the United Nations and the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.

You can see more examples of his work here: www.johnbeebe.ca

Michelle was born and raised in Toronto. Nine years ago, she moved to San Francisco where she discovered photography as her artistic expression.

Her images have been published in magazines and brochures for such clients as University of Toronto's Nexus magazine, LaRecherche, St. Michael's Hospital, and the San Francisco Bay Area Photo Book, Incredible Eyes.

She has exhibited along side the female photo collective, Dandelionblack for the SF Faces 2.0 Show at San Francisco's City Hall, 111 Minna Gallery and in various venues throughout Toronto.

Michelle returned to Toronto four years ago and lives with her husband and 3 cats.

For more examples of her work, go here:

www.michellegibsonphoto.com

and check out her Bits and Pieces Blog here:

http://michellegibsonphoto.blogspot.com/

About BeingToronto

2009-07-20T09:15:00.000-07:00

Have a look. What do we see? Examine the faces. What do we find?

We are exploring Toronto through its people. When you break down to the individual, to its smallest unit parts, can we find a whole?

As photographers we are fascinated by people – complex, varied, part of a whole and absolutely individual. How do we understand Toronto through its individuals? On its official website The City of Toronto highlights the racial, ethnic and language diversity of the city. But we are also defined by our age, gender, economic status, and a myriad other factors.

This project is an opportunity to explore Toronto and its neighborhoods through its people. By building a studio on the sidewalk in a wide-range of neighborhoods we are allowing chance to create a portrait of this City.

We invite you to join us as we travel around the city over the next few months visiting neighborhoods and creating portraits from the street.