“Unconventional Portraits”: A Photographic Exhibition in Toronto June 5 – Sept. 2, 2013

The Bata Shoe Museum, in collaboration with the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, presents the work of Tuscan photographer Matteo Brogi in celebration of Italian Heritage Month and as part of a Snapshot of Tuscany series :

A Snapshot of Tuscany:

Unconventional Portraits

A Snapshot Exhibition

Wednesday, June 5 – Monday, September 2, 2013

Bata Shoe Museum – 327 Bloor St. West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

This snapshot exhibition will be on display in the B1 foyer:

Hours: Mon.-Wed. and Fri.-Sat.: 10 am – 5 pm; Thu.: 10 am – 8 pm; Sun.: 12 pm – 5 pm

Included with regular museum admission

• “Sophisticated and beautiful, Unconventional Portraits offers visitors the opportunity to “meet” the students, dancers, architects, fashion designers, wine producers, celebrity butchers, perfume makers and carabinieri that represent Italian society from the knee down“

• As a photographic exhibition “revealing varied passions and lifestyles, Matteo’s work masterfully conveys an intricate weaving of emotion and story through the lens, illustrating the important role that footwear plays in the modern Italian identity“

• An exhibition catalogue will be available in the Museum gift shop beginning June 5

A Snapshot of Tuscany series also includes Celebrating Italian Heritage Month which is a series of tastings, lectures and events in June promoted by the Bata Shoe Museum and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura.

The following Celebrating Italian Heritage Month programs will be held at the Bata Shoe Museum and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura:

• The following FREE lectures will be held at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, located at 496 Huron Street; seats are available on a first come first serve basis:

  • Beato Angelico in San Marco, Florence: An Illustrated Lecture by Dr. Marius Zerafa on Monday, June 17; 6:30 – 8:30 pm; location is 496 Huron Street

    • Infoline: 416.921.3802 ext. 221 

    • Presented by: Istituto Italiano di Cultura; Dominican Institute of Toronto

    • “The Dominican Priory San Marco is today a museum that houses the frescoes of Beato Angelico, a best-loved artist of the early Italian Renaissance“

    • Please click here to RSVP by June 14

  • Art and Literature in Florence at the Turn of the Nineteenth Century: An Illustrated Lecture by Luca Somigli on Thursday, June 27; 6:30 – 8:30 pm; location is 496 Huron Street

    • Infoline: 416/921-3802 ext. 221

    • Presented by: Bata Shoe Museum

    • “This illustrated lecture will sketch this modern Florentine “Renaissance”, open to the most radical artistic novelties from Paris or London, but also profoundly rooted in the Tuscan soil and its millenary culture“

• A Snapshot of Tuscany: Olive Oils from Tuscany – Thursday, June 6, 6-8 pm – Included with pay-what-you-can Thursdays but quantities will be limited

  • Have a conversation and a unique olive oil tasting with Gaia Massai and photographer Matteo Brogi at the Bata Shoe Museum

    • Gaia and Matteo will offer interesting anecdotes about olive oils from the Tuscan region while guests sample them

    • A short conversation will take place every 30 minutes as a drop in

    • Visitors can also view the photo exhibit by Matteo Brogi

  • Gaia Massai has had a long history with food:

    • Managing the olive oil and wine production on her family’s farm in Tuscany for many years, Gaia who is now based in Toronto, returns to Italy several times each year

    • She is the Founder of Gaia’s Plate, a company that specializes in events, tastings and products from the Italian countryside

• A Snapshot of Tuscany: Tuscany Uncorked – Friday, June 21, 6-8 pm

  • $15 per person; $25 per couple

    • For tickets, please call 416.979.7799 x240 or email programs@batashoemuseum.ca

  • A wine tasting at the Bata Shoe Museum is an evening of wine from the region of Tuscany

  • “Sample wines with food pairings and learn about the distinctive taste and history of wines from this inspiring region of the world”

For more information about these events, or to pre-register, please contact programs@batashoemuseum.ca or call 416.979.7799 x240.

Enjoy!