A pretty darn good show, methinks.

Dylan had his AGO pass this weekend, so I definitely jumped to the opportunity to see Andy Warhol. The show, Supernova: Stars, Deaths and Disasters, showcased a small collection of his video and famous silkscreen pieces of celebrities like Elvis Presley and Elizabeth Taylor.

There were no soup cans featured in this exhibit.

Curated by film director David Cronenberg (A History of Violence), the show, really helped to better understand Warhol and his intrigue to themes related to facial expressions, celebrities, and its odd but fitting relationships with elements of 'disaster'. What really struck a chord with me is his way of creatively communicating (whether it was intended or not) to us that everyone can be "celebrated" in some way-- just that it however might not be as glamourous as what one might think, some twisted but effective.

The feeling is weirdly comforting but also wonderfully disturbing.

Fascinatingly weird, no?

I don't divulge anymore; just go see it. The show opens until October 22.

Andy Warhol - [ago.net]
Andy Warhol - [wikipedia.org]

Body Works 2 is the latest exhibit at the Ontario Science Centre that displays real body parts and preserved through a medical process called plastination. These bodies often have their skin ripped and pulled open to reveal the interal organs and how they connect and relate to each other. These bodies are also displayed in abstract poses depicting a wide range of athletes-- figure skaters, pole vaulters, alpine skiier, just to name a few.

I have no photos to show you from the exhibit, since cameras were not allowed to be used. You don't know how disappointed was I was at that. But then again, they are real bodies, and now that I think about it, it might not be such a good idea.

As it is late, I won't bother to go to the details, but I do suggest reading a bravo review from good fellow Planning big brother and friend, Felix. For some weird reason, even though I don't talk or hang out with him too much, I find myself attending the same kind of events and activities. Haha.

We also ventured around the other exhibits at the Science Centre. Although I keep hearing that not much as changed, I really didn't recall many of the exhibits. The only thing that really stuck out of my mind was that static ball that makes your hair stick up, and the "mouse trap" like contraption at the Sports section.

In a Planning aside statement, I have to say that I hate the location of the Science Centre. It's in probably the most transit-infriendly and tourist-infriendly area, at least put it on the transit line for crying out loud. The car lanes at Don Mills and Eglinton totally resembles Hurontario Street in Mississauga. 8 to 9 lanes surrounded by dispersed office towers. Yuck.

Well, at least Square One has a transit terminal.

But back to Body Worlds. If you don't have a weak stomach, I totally suggest you to check out Body Worlds. The exhibit ends February 26.

Random Thoughts and Rants...: Body World 2 @ Ontario Science Centre - [blogspot.com]
Ontario Science Centre: BODY WORLDS 2 - [ontariosciencecentre.ca]

My discussion begins with a bit of background to provide you a little flavour of the changes in change cultural landscape in Markham. I may go a little off-topic from time to time (as you may realize), so please forgive me.

First off, Carole Bell. How could I mention Markham's ethnic relations without referring to Bell? The infamous Carole Bell was the Deputy Mayor of Markham back the late-1980s, early 1990s. She caused major uproar in the Chinese community when criticized that "everything's going Chinese" in the town.

If only I get a dollar every time the quote is mentioned. I have simply lost count of the times the comment was quoted over the years particularly in newspapers and planning literature. She denounced that the influx of migrants from Hong Kong was creating a "racial monopoly" that might drive away the "backbone of Markham" better known as the established white population.

Specifically, Bell was very much concerned about the proliferation of Asian-themed malls during that time, namely the huge redevelopment of the Kennedy and Steeles better known today as Pacific Mall / Market Village. This is the when the nitty-gritty backgrounder material begins.

Cullen Country Barns: Before the Redevelopment
Before the construction of Pacific Mall once stood a large barn which was later converted into a large cultural antique shop and upscale garden nursery called Cullen Country Barns-- which is the same owner has Cullen Gardens Miniature Village in Pickering. This place sold probably the most train sets, stain glass crafts, antique Christmas decorations, dream catchers, beaded art and other nostalgic paraphernalia anywhere in the GTA. This area, which is complementary to the neighbouring Market Village, had the feel of a small German cultural small town comparable to the St. Jacob's Farmers Market.

Market Village: Where are the people?
The area around Market Village, which was then a little more than six years old, was intended to mock the traditional Anglo-Saxon "Main Street" concept but adapted for the suburban car-oriented landscape.

Since its construction in the late 1980's, Market Village has gone through many phases of redevelopment. This is quite evident now as you might feel the mall lacks a sense of cohesion-- parts of the complex hold the different retail atmospheres. The original indoor market area (aptly known as "The Market") only stretched along the corridor from where Green Grove Bubble Tea to the Korean restaurant (facing Steeles Avenue) now stands.

The remaining areas such as the food court, and the retail strip from the LCBO to Food Fair Supermarket was exposed to the elements. This is where the small town mock "Main Street" once stood- with fake traditional gas lit lights, and brick facade storefronts.

You might recall the Bandshell around the area of the food court. I remember during Canada Day, people would congregate around there and listen to the instrumental tunes that the local Markham band played on stage. However, despite some success during holiday special events, the outdoor portion of the Market Village development never took off; while the indoor portion of the mall became progresively more busy as we begin to see the rise of Chinese fish markets, vegetable stands and butcher shops.

Despite some success in the indoor portion of the development, many stores remain empty, mainly because Markhamites continued to perfer "real" traditional environment at Main Street Unionville and Main Street Markham.

Market Village: Restructure and Rebuild
In the early 1990s, Market Village was redeveloped by Cedarland Properties to "meet the changing demographics of the surrounding markets in Scarborough, Markham and Richmond Hill" (from marketvillage.net)- namely the rising Chinese population (which includes yours truly). Since the change in controllership, "The Market" portion of Market Village became an instant success and retail space was quickly occupied.

Cedarland thought that they may be on to something and decided to enclose the space around the Bandshell performance area (now the Food Court) and the LCBO-Food Fair Supermarket corridor into an expanded indoor shopping complex (know as the Phase Two development project). This is the reason why the corridor looks so awfully weird, as the roof was superimposed on the existing outdoor environment.

"Golden Food Market" (Chinese people and their shitty business names) once stood a "Home Hardware" home improvement concept called Cashway. At the time, Cashway was not yet connected to the indoor mall until redevelopment in Phase Three. Nothing much has changed since 1995s Phase Three development. The arguably the most exciting development at Market Village was the Club Monaco Outletstore, which then moved to the cheap rent location at the Woodside Centre (across from First Markham Place)

In 1994, when the community started to realize how unreasonably expensive Cullen Country Barns became to be, people became to treat it as an interesting museum, rather than a store. As a result, business slowed and the store folded. Observing the success of the newly Asian-themed Market Village which flanked Cullen, Living Properties acquired the space occupied by Cullen, demolished it, and built what we all know today as Pacific Mall.

Pacific Mall: The Beginning of Controversy
The development of Pacific Mall was without a doubt the spark that led to the Carole Bell controversy. The destruction of the of the European-influenced Farmer's Market and Cullen Country Barns into these Asian retail centres accurately portrayed and instilled fear that there is this (which I hate to call it) "Asian Invasion."

This concludes my first entry on the contextual background of the Markham cultural evolution. In the following entry, I will further discuss the Carole Bell controversy and the personal viewpoints about it.

FYI: Recently, Pacific Mall / Market Village have put forth plans to further exapand its retail space for an additional 400,000 square feet of retail space, a new luxury hotel tower and a multi-level parking structure. Say hello to more traffic headaches-- that is another entry in itself.

Related Articles:

• Multicultural Markham, 10 years on [thestar.com]


• Pacific Mall Growing Up [yorkregion.com: Economist and Sun]

My PIR co-workers, Liz and I visited the Massive Change exhibit last week at the AGO. I didn't know what to expect of the exhibit, however, I understood from reading casually in the media that it has some planning disciplines involved in it. Of course, I jumped on the chance to see it before it closed last Sunday.

Massive Change looks at the world of design and how these 'human advances' changed the way we live. Initiated by the renown Canadian Bruce Mau, the exhibit looks at how humans have reactively changed over time through technological advances to manage and deal with the pressing demands of the time (e.g. solar power, banning of CFCs), while at the same time, design has also proactively shaped our society as well.

Through all sorts of different communication methods- videos, audio clips, photos, models, satellite images- Massive Change was indeed a visual masterpiece. Liz and I were saying how we were inspired to redecorate our rooms to fit some of these designs.

The concluding exhibits were indeed the most interesting. Although Massive Change investigated how humans have found ways to control and influence the forces of nature, the last exhibit probed our sense of morality and ethics by asking us where we should draw the line in attempt to "better" human life. Pressing issues such as human cloning, pharmaceutical debates, genetically modified foods, and other bioethical issues were discussed. Pros and cons where illustrated, and each visior had the opportunity to have their say though an interesting voting system- by putting a sheet of coloured paper in two transparent "Yes" or "No" bins. Through my casual analysis, people generally supported these often very ethically-charged developments. (I'm hope you can sense generally which side I'm on.)

It was so good that we didn't have a chance to see all the exhibits. (And they rudely kicked people out after 9:00).

Check out a few picture from my Flickr page.

has anyone realized how shitty muchmusic has become? it might as well call it MTV. what the fuck does Pimp My Ride, MTV Cribs have anything to do with music? Even Newlyweds, that show with Carmen Elektra, Fandemonium is really pushing it as "music" programming. i don't know if it's because i'm getting older, or is MM getting crappier.

whatever it is, vegging around watching muchmusic (like what i did tonight) can kill critical brain cells.

neverthess, i finally saw the lindsay lohan video 'rumors'. omg. i think she's my new britney spears. the video was so hot that she made me wet my pants.

If this image could talk it would say "Ooo, take me Matt."

Yes, twist that hair Lindsay, that's right, oooo.

Anyways, she soooooo going on my "to-do" list. yep.

do my homework... check!
make my lunch... check!
take a shower... check!
do lindsay... double check!

mmm. speaking of to-do list people. i've compiled a small list of 'to-do' people. (yes, i have no life, bite me)

if only i can complete this list, like right now. mmmmm.

mmmmm, i'd like to know, who's on YOUR to-do list? besides me of course.... ;)

Note: Due to database corruption issues from November 7, 2004 to December 21, 2004, entry comments may been deleted, or misplaced. I have tried to recall some of the comments that was mentioned.

ipod! gimme gimme gimme! anyways, i hope you all like my new layout. i really like it, it's gives me orgasms just looking at it. (By the way, that one of the left is ME-- with the help of this picture!) this was inspired a few weeks ago when i got off the very super-duper cool St. George subway station, which has been plastered by the iPod ads [ Take a look ] . They're obviously marketing to lovely university kids like ourselves. well, i really like their advertising campaign (maybe a little more than the product itself :S )-- the silouette with a bright colourful backing, really gives it major umph. i like a lot! not that's a powerful ad!

i finally got to see passion of the christ this weekend. it definitely was the most emotional movie that i've seen to date. for a few seconds in the movie, i was stunned, literally stunned, by what the Romans did to Jesus. The whipping, the degradation, the nailing, the torture really took me.

You know, Jesus, just like one us, went through all that suffering-- and then here I go complaining about petty crap like roommates, the boringness of my job, and all this. I can't even come to imagine how that must've felt for Jesus. I'm really going to try to complain and rant less and be more positive. I think it's really sad of me to be affected only after seeing the movie, yknow? It's not like I don't know or haven't read the story-- and I've been through 20 Easter's already. As a sorta-practising Christian, I'm quite disappointed in myself that before the movie I was not even one bit affected by Jesus' suffering. Even though it the basic core belief of Christianity. Yeah, I cried in the movie like there was no tomorrow-- ask Bowie, she witnessed it all :(

But yes, only until a movie comes out do I truly realize it. I know I'm the worst person to attempt improve my character-- perpetually. but I really am going to try to be more of an optimist and not fret about petty crap. I might need to be reminded-- so I must buy that DVD when it comes out and watch it whenever I rant about "Bob" again.

Speaking of Bob, my upstairs roommates found sublets. And I thought I could have a little more quietness in the Spring. Ah well. The saddest part of it all is that Gary won't be able to live with me!!!! NOOOOO GARY! And I have to be stuck with the "lovely" two-- Jaime and "Bob". :: thinking positive:: :: thinking positive:: Maybe gary can just take my room and I'll live somewhere else :P Good idea, Matt, good idea.

--playlist updated

--more grad pics coming soon

Hello!.. i hope everyone missed me!.. hehe.. there's really not much to mention..... hmm.. i've been working almost everyday at 8 in the morning... OMG... i'm sooooo tired... i don't understand how people can work full time at Chapters.. it's such an energy straining job... i'm just working like 29 hours and people have as much as 35 hours.. and they seem to be okay with it.. wow..

anyways... instead of having business casual attire we get to wear promotional t-shirts... YEAH!.. nice Chapters.ca shirts... very very confortable! so everyone shop at chapters.ca!

in other news... Lord of the Rings DVD is out on my birthday!.. yeah!!.. there's was also something else out.. but i don't remember... sigh... oh yeah.. Harry Potter: The Goblet of Fire is (finally) out on paperback.. so yeah!..

I got my Tuition and Rez bill from UW.... i'm scared!... NOOOO!... down goes my bank account!.. i seriously need a job in university!... *sniff*... AHHHHH!!....

Hey everyone... STAR WARS!!!!!!!! aiya... i must see it soon .. but they just had to release it on a thursday.... thursdays are just not for me... too much tv to catch.... oh yeah and the LEAFS WON! woo hoo! on another note, i reinstalled my windows this evening and wow!... it's much better!.. doesn't lag... doesn't have weird messages... it's great!!! yay to me!

anyways... hehehhe.. first of all.. it's kinda funny!..... oh yes.. the hannah sung shananigan thingy that i posted in the previous entry.. anyways.. i think she's attractive... and attractive does not necessarily mean pretty... (although sometimes it does)... but nevertheless, she is a person that has style... she's not boring looking nor typical looking either... indeed she may be a little "fat", however, does anyone really want an Ally Mcbeal? i donno.. stick-figured girls just don't do it for me... so yeah.. it's definitely her uniqueness... THAT'S what makes her attractive... there's some kind of mystique, unconformity, not just some girl next door... you know what i mean? =) and if having "bad taste in girls" makes me gay... (though very unlogical) then so be it!... guilty is charged! =) so that's my little critical commentary for today...

well... i don't know if anyone saw friends / survivor / will and grace.. last night... but sean is finally voted off!!.. and it's about time! what the hell! that guy is way too agressive!... i sense that Paschal will win it all... but i like Vecepia... but she doesn't stand a chance... friends was great... will and grace was so so.. =(

WOW! I can really feel that summer is soon approaching.. do you guyz feel it?!? The day seem to go by so fast now... and i know soon... that i begin my miss being in McGivney... although i still haven't reached that point as of yet... but i know.. i will feel it... i think you people are feeling the same... since it IS our OAC year... yeppers.... my politics debate is tomorrow.. so people wish me luck.... anyways.... i've started to work on my second layout here on Hyperdot.. so i hope to have it up by about the weekend.. i really like the layout.. so i hope to put it out sooner, until a get sick of it!... (just like i'm really getting sick of THIS one... heheh.. ok.. what else can i say.. hmmm..

oh yeah SPIDERMAN!!!! we better go see it!!!!!... (although i don't know if we can get tickets... ).. hehe.. um.. i think that is all i have to say for now....

oh yeah.... i'd just like to make it clear that, contrary to other's belief *ahem* loser mark, SAKURA DROPS WAY KICKS HIKARI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but Utada is still not as hot as Britney!!!!

And lastly... my chapters rant has returned to Mattism... and i just added another rant so check it out, here