Looking back at ideaCity05, a three-day thought-fest that recently wrapped up in Toronto, many speakers performed and defended the arts while attendees applauded their approval.
Other topics dotted the conference — Mars exploration, the science of smell, media integrity — but it was artistic expression that evoked reactions close to zealousness. Of course, tastes did vary but the general conceit was hard to dispute: The world needs more creative minds.
The ideaCity05 stage supported enough talent to compete with Live 8, although the event boasted a more eclectic lineup of performers (and sans Celine Dion). Below are several highlights from the conference, from an artistic point-of-view:
Only 14-years-old, bluest guitarist Jimmy Bowskill opened ideaCity with a Hendrix-like rendition of the Canadian national anthem, even contorting his face á la blues rockers.
Ballet took centre stage when Znaimer interviewed former ballerinas Evelyn Hart and
Veronica Tennant on their passion for dance. Smiles broke out when Hart declared, “Everything is possible.”
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| Adam Cohen (left), son of famous poet and musician Leonard Cohen, talks with media guru Moses Znaimer (middle) at ideaCity05’s final party held at CHUM Television. — Photo by Digital Journal |
The award for “best unexpected comedy” went to playwright Tomson Highway, who cracked up the audience with lines like, “My parents don’t speak any English. Do you know why? Because they’re dead.”
As the former head of music-video station MuchMusic, and former president of Sony Music Canada, Denise Donlon made her case for the preservation of CDs with a top-ten list of record-label myths. Her list of music myths included items such as: There is only one good song on a record, artists are victims, and Canadian artists are underachievers. After her talk attendees hid their iPods for the remainder of the conference.
The award for “best musical performance” went to Helmut Lipsky, a Montreal-based violinist who displayed his avant-garde style while a pianist accompanied him with innovative key-pounding. At the final ideaCity party held at CHUM Television, Lipsky quietly sat with his wife and graciously accepted compliments every 20 minutes.
Writers appreciated Peter C. Newman‘s talk, especially when the legendary journalist told it like it is: “Authors are the ultimate entrepreneurs — every four years they try to sell something worth $40 that nobody needs.”
June Callwood may not be an artist, but one quote in her talk evoked impressive applause even before her final syllable: “We must protect the arts, and give arts education to all children, no matter what.”
Ken Danby‘s presentation of more than 40 paintings never felt tiresome, despite the main model being his wife in various poses. The hockey paintings were shots of bittersweet nostalgia for the Canadian crowd.
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| The Tragically Hip lead singer, Gord Downie (left), talks with Digital Journal‘s Editor-in-Chief, Chris Hogg, at ideaCity05’s final party held at CHUM Television. — Photo by Digital Journal |
The award for “most energetic applause” went to Gord Downie, frontman for legendary rock band The Tragically Hip. When he took the stage, attendees hollered and clapped vigorously, and Downie didn’t disappoint. While he didn’t focus so much on the arts, he spoke widely about Canada. Three songs later, Downie even imparted some personal wishes for his home and native land: “Canada must get its head out of its ass,” he said. “And it has to get its head out of America’s ass too. Its gotta distinguish itself.”
Throughout ideaCity05, attendees were reminded about the big ideas that could change the world, whether from the mouth of environmental lawyer Robert Kennedy Jr. or from scientist Vaclav Smil. But it was the arts that left beautiful notes ringing in ears, or reminded attendees that while progress relies on technology, science and politics, it is creativity that encourages the soul to find uplifting happiness.
For more information about ideaCity05, or to get tickets to next year’s conference, visit www.ideacityonline.com
All photos of ideaCity05 were taken using the Nikon D2X.
