Events | A Luminato experience I will never forget thanks to #smartwatercanada

Having lived in Toronto for several years now, I am always happy to see the return of Luminato. This year marks the iconic festival’s 10th anniversary and has already proved to be bigger & better than ever before. Running from June 10-26, #Luminato10 celebrate the arts and culture of Canada in a unique way. When smartwater approached me to attend the opening night of the highly anticipated monumental, I jumped at the opportunity to attend with Julio. Come and see why it was an experience I will never forget!

As the exclusive water sponsor for luminato, smartwater shares the belief in the power of art & art culture to change the world. We got the opportunity to see the beautiful smartwater cloud 6ix lounge. A space that was inspired by monumental and encapsulates what it would be like to see Toronto from the sky, surrounded by clouds and imagination. In contrast to the harshness of the industrial setting of The Hearn, it was a perfect introduction to the new ideals and goals of Luminato. 

“In 2016, everything will be different. In its first nine years, Luminato Festival took place in indoor venues and outdoor spaces across the city. We did what every other festival in the world does, spread itself out across a city. Not this year. This June, we will transform the Hearn Generating Station into the largest community and cultural centre in the world. Through this transformation we will propose a new model for a cultural institution, one where everything is open, inclusive and porous. Watch out, Toronto!”

 

As a lead sponsor, smartwater believes in the power of art & art culture to change the world. We got the opportunity to see the beautiful smartwater cloud 6ix lounge. A space that encapsulates what it would be like to see Toronto from the sky, surrounded by clouds and imagination. In contrast to the harshness of the industrial setting of The Hearn, it was a perfect introduction to the new ideals and goals of Luminato. 

 

  

As you would have seen on Snapchat (yes. we’re on Snapchat too! – click here to follow me. But be warned it’s a lot of laughing, my dog and those face things… ) we got to explore the HUGE space that Luminato is calling home this year before sitting down to watch monumental. Filled with art installations and moments on inspiration, I was in awe by the building and everything happening in it for #Luminato

 

We ended our evening with the debut performance of monumental, which was one of the most powerful performances I have seen in a very long time. “monumental is an explosion of contemporary dance and post-rock music from Vancouver’s The Holy Body Tattoo and Montreal’s Godspeed You! Black Emperor that shatters the façade of capitalist urban culture.” 

Have you ever seen something that you felt was created just for you? It’s hard to explain the feelings that were evoked by watching this group of talented artists as they portrayed without words the world we live in. From sadness to anger, laughter to tears… I was left speechless when the show came to an end. I think that this experience speaks to the power of Luminato to change the world. And I will remember this experience for the rest of my life. Art is open to interpretation, but it is my belief that every single one of us who sat in the space last night while watching #monumentalTO were touched by this performance.

 

 

And of course, make sure to join in on the social media conversation by using the #smartwatercanada, #Luminato10 & #TurnOnTheHearn hashtags when you attend all the inspiring performances and activities taking place. We can’t wait to see YOUR inspiring photos!