Quiet Vignettes, Anahita Azrahimi Presented with DesginTO

“I feel like I am trying to gently nudge these fragments to come together - a reflection of my inner world at the moment.”

— Anahita Azrahimi on 'Quiet Vignettes'

quiet vignettes
Jan 17 – Jan 26 2020

A collaboration between a collage artist and a floral designer, ‘quiet vignettes’ combines both practices to create a subtle — almost evanescent — experience of a balance and poised marriage of two art forms. Both artists have responded to the other in a mirrored reaction to their work. The first, a series of understated folds and creases that evoke a sense of quiet energy. The second, a presentation of evocative foliage. Though different, the pieces mix and meld into a balanced and graceful dance. The result is an intimate spatial installation. One that nudges you to slow down and pay attention — and to reflect the unassuming authority of a unique and unexpected bond.

Anahita Azrahimi, an Akin Lansdowne alum, is a collage artist and cultural producer. In her role as the Executive & Creative Director of Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, Canada’s largest contemporary outdoor art fair since 1961, Azrahimi thrives in making joy of art and direct engagement with artists accessible to all public. Azrahimi is equally passionate about creating her own moments of art.

“The works that I have created for this show are subtle collages of folds and creases that evoke a quiet movement and energy. There is a simplicity and understated quality in these works that I find deeply gratifying and calming. Fine hand-sewn stitches have replaced my previous drawings. I feel like I am trying to gently nudge these fragments to come together - a reflection of my inner world at the moment.

I have invited Lauren Wilson of Timberlost Designs to mirror the works with evocative and poetic foliage vignettes. Lauren’s creations are soulful and deep. We will create a subtle — almost evanescent — experience of a balanced and poised marriage of our practices. With this intimate spatial installation, the vision is to create a moment that nudges you to slow down and pay attention — and to reflect the unassuming authority of a unique and unexpected bond.” - Anahita Azrahimi

Akin Lansdowne Farewell Party

Join us as we celebrate Akin’s time at 87 Wade!

Unfortunately, it is with much sadness that we have to move out of Akin Lansdowne at the end of this month. Most of the current studio members have thankfully been relocated to other Akin locations.

To celebrate our vibrant Akin Lansdowne community and a building we have loved being in for many years we will be hosting a farewell party in Studio 203 on Friday, January 31 starting at 8pm. This is a public event - everyone is welcome!

When: January 31st, 2020
Where: 87 Wade Avenue, Unit 203, Toronto
Admission: Free

Installations by current Akin members to be featured in the studio space.

Cash Bar Available!

Accessibility:
Akin Lansdowne is not currently wheelchair accessible. Akin regrets this barrier to access.

When you arrive at Akin Lansdowne's entrance at the north side of the building, there are 6 steps into the building to access the building entrance. There is a flight of stairs with 10 steps, a landing, then 10 steps with a handrail leading to the 2nd floor where studio 203 is located.

There are no grab bars in the washroom and the toilets are not raised. The washroom on the second floor is level. There is a narrow gap between the countertop and the shower.

Getting there:
By TTC:
Akin Lansdowne is walking distance from Lansdowne Subway Station and is accessible by the Bloor­/Danforth subway line (Line 2) and the 47 Lansdowne Bus.

By car:
There is no reserved onsite parking but there is street parking on Wade Ave, Paton Road, and Lansdowne Ave - please check the street signs for hours. For after hours parking there is a Green P lot located at 695 Lansdowne Ave.

Remembering Akin Lansdowne - a personal memorial by Jen Pilles

I moved to Toronto fresh out of art school. I had a degree in Illustration, a tiny bit of savings, and no knowledge whatsoever about the city or how to live in it. Navigating the art world was overwhelming - and living in Toronto was thrilling, but alien. I had trouble knowing how or where to meet new friends, not to mention colleagues and clients. I was unsure how my art fit in, which opportunities to engage with, or what resources were available. I did not feel sure of myself, and I did not feel at home.

It wasn’t until I found Akin Lansdowne that I started to thrive as an artist and feel like I was part of a real arts community. From when I joined Akin Lansdowne in 2013 until I left in 2018 I found myself connected to a group of artists and peers in ways I never expected. I not only made new friends but I also developed professional relationships - finding mentors, clients, and professional development opportunities.

Tucked away at the quiet intersection of Wade Ave and Paton Road right beside the train tracks ,I fell in love with 87 Wade Ave the first day I visited. It is an unassuming building full of character. I loved the creak of the floorboards, the smell of the wood and the coffee roasting downstairs at Alternative Grounds (another tenant that had to leave the building due to an unmanageable rent increase). I found the meandering corridors and the soaring ceilings romantic and inspiring. Within the studio space itself I felt cozy, comfortable and inspired. My studio was small, but it was all I needed to create.

My first studio space at Akin Lansdowne in 2013 - it was 36sf

I expanded my studio in 2017 to 80sf

Over time I started developing a studio practice and meeting my studio mates and getting involved with Akin events and programming. We saw so many incredible events come through our space. From intimate gatherings for artists to show and share their work, to large public parties, fun creative crafting workshops and more. Some of my favorites were the Earth Day Community Cleanup where a bunch of us gathered at the studio and then cleaned up the neighborhood, and the Akin Skillshare Series of workshops where artists and creative business owners met in the studio space to share skills and resources. I also loved it when some of us got together to paint the Akin Lansdowne Art Library and fill it with donated books.

Here are some photos I have collected over the years:

Before and after: painting the Akin Lansdowne Art Library together!

The studio all decked out for a celebration

My studio mate and friend Samar Hejazi explaining her work in her studio at an Akin Show and Tell event

One of the many wonderful pot luck feasts we hosted in the studio kitchen

The first big open studio event at Akin Lansdowne

The crowd gathering outside the studio for our Earth Day Community Clean Up

Unfortunately, like so many other creative spaces in Toronto, Akin Lansdowne will be closing it’s doors in January 2020. Gentrification has set in and the rent prices in the building have sky-rocketed. Akin cannot afford to keep renting space in the building, so Akin Lansdowne will be no more. I will forever be grateful for my time spent in that space - creating, thinking, mingling, learning, eating, laughing, listening and playing.

Thankfully Akin has worked closely with the artists to relocate them to other Akin studios - so the community has not dissolved but just dispersed to other Akin locations. Akin has many amazing locations - each with their own charm, but Akin Lansdowne will forever be my favourite and hold a special place in my heart. It was my home away from home, my workshop, my office, my peaceful place. I want to thank everyone who made Akin Lansdowne a magic place: the Akin staff, the studio mates who came and went over the years, the studio dogs who kept us company, the neighbours in the building who shared space with us, and the residents and businesses in the neighbourhood who were a part of our larger community. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

There will be an Akin Lansdowne Farewell Party on January 31, 2020 at from 8PM until late for those who wish to honour Akin Lansdowne’s legacy by celebrating together. Stay tuned to Akin (social media, newsletter, this blog) for more information!

About the author:
Jen Pilles is a freelance illustrator, graphic designer, plein-air painter, self-publisher, and emerging comic artist. After joining Akin in 2013 as a member she began working for them in 2015. After 3 years of experience as a studio manager at 5 of Akin’s locations (Lansdowne, King, Ossington, Richmond and MOCA) she now serves the Akin community as the Studio Operations Manager. www.jenpilles.com