Our Main Building and galleries will not be open to the public for Nuit Blanche. Access to “Hopes and Fears Assembly” will be on the northwest side of the Main Building.

On now Mon, Sep 2

Human Made Stuff

Suzanne Carlsen, Noah Rosen

A retrospective look at the immensity of human-made “stuff” produced on Earth since the Industrial Revolution.

Free Admission
No tickets required

 

On now Mon, Sep 2

Human Made Stuff

Suzanne Carlsen, Noah Rosen

 
A pile of bicycle materials

Repair and Restoration by Suzanne Carlsen and Noah Rosen at VéloColour. Photo by the artists.

About

Award-winning artists Suzanne Carlsen and Noah Rosen present Human Made Stuff, a retrospective look at the immensity of human-made “stuff” produced on Earth since the Industrial Revolution. What is the cost of such excess on our mental and social well-being? As small business owners and makers, Suzanne and Noah explore the possibilities of what happens when we commit to producing less with more intention. 

Curated by Melanie Egan.

Artist Statement

“The world is full of stuff; jam packed with electronics and materials and products and great things and tchotchkes. The immense amount of human-made stuff produced since the industrial revolution now outweighs all life on earth. Most of us have benefitted in some way – our standard of living and physical health have improved and we now have home cappuccino machines – but at what cost? Is there a breaking point to our collective resource capabilities and mental and social wellbeing? With our current ways of doing things, the answer is unequivocally, absolutely. 

As makers, producers, small business owners our active pursuit of alternative working methods and the prioritization of repair is now driving our decision-making. Finding joy in new ways of doing things, carefully considering materials and what they will produce and doing most of it because we care and love bicycles so damn much. That’s what it’s about.”

About Suzanne Carlsen & Noah Rosen as VéloColour

Noah Rosen studied ceramics at Sheridan College and received his BFA from NSCAD University in 2003. He maintained a ceramic studio until 2008 while taking part in numerous exhibitions. In 2005, he began to learn the art of bicycle painting under frame building master, Mike Barry Sr. Noah opened the now world renowned VéloColour in 2008, a custom bicycle painting and specialty production shop in Toronto.  

Suzanne Carlsen graduated from OCAD University in 2006 and spent the following three years in the Harbourfront Centre’s craft jewellery residency program. Until 2017, Suzanne maintained an art jewellery practice, taking part in solo and group shows internationally. She’s received numerous awards including Provincial and Federal Arts Council grants.  

In 2014, Suzanne and Noah joined forces; creating under the name Carl&Rose, producing sustainable design objects. In 2016, Suzanne became a partner at VéloColour and now acts as creative director, lead designer and project coordinator.   

Repair and Restoration by Suzanne Carlsen and Noah Rosen at VéloColour. Photo by the artists.

Dates & Times

Sat, May 11
12:00am 12:00am
Mon, Sep 2
12:00am 12:00am

Tickets

Free admission
No tickets required

Supported by

Government of Canada
City of Toronto
Canada Council for the Arts
Ontario Arts Council
Government of Ontario
RBC Foundation