Design Stores
Blue Banana Market
I've often thought that Toronto could use a really good artists market. I'm thinking something like Madrid's Mercado de Fuencarral or the Market NYC in Lower Manhattan. So I was pretty excited when I noticed that something called the Blue Banana Market had just opened its doors in Kensington Market.
Located in a huge, three-story space at 250 Augusta between Nassau and Oxford, Blue Banana takes understated to the max as it bills itself as "Toronto's new-fashioned shopping scene", filled with "one-of-a-kind items from more than 100 of today's most inspired artists, jewellers, craftsmen and importers". Unfortunately, this Blue Banana is rotten, or at best not yet ripe.
I'm going to give Blue Banana the benefit of the doubt here and admit that the market could at some point have potential. The second floor space is still under construction and the ground floor is at best half-full; so it's probably not fair at all for me to make sweeping judgments in these early days.
That said, first impressions do matter, and the Blue Banana I saw this weekend was filled by tired and tacky looking crafts. Think blocks of fudge, the kind of pottery you'd find at touristy and overpriced flea markets, greeting cards, Putumayo world music CDs and cheap leather belts.
Don't believe me? Take a look at the photos below:
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Way to go yuppies for taking the life of yet another thriving community.
Didn't they used to have things exactly like these (lame, crafty consignment stores) in malls ten years ago?
You portray the store as full of main stream merchendise, but I saw hand made hats, hand painted glass ware, turkish antiques, expensive (did you look at the price tags?) leather belts and tons of canadian made stuff.
I think this store has great potential, let's give it a chance and go back when its done.
Mike
My question to the complainers: have you actually bothered to talk to any of the artists whose works are displayed there? I would also be curious to know what each of you feel that YOU have contributed to the art and culture of Kensington market. PS: Simone and Meagan... I think your stalls are great-- Hopefully the people who have posted negative comments will either re-visit and rethink, or find something else to complain about.
The person who wrote this article was overly harsh and critical, and contributes to the difficulties artists and craftsters face in establishing themselves in this city. And I'm sure the artists who's work you featured really appreciated having their work referred to as "tired and tacky." Way to be supportive!
I wonder if Tim (our reviewer) thinks that the artists markets in other world cities sprang from the ground as what they are today? These markets evolve and grow as each year passes. It is simplistic and short sighted to imply that a market based on hand made goods will exactly the same every time one visits, never mind completely misunderstands the concept of unique.
I have been to several artists markets throughout the world and always, always found a combination of commercialized fair trade goods, baked goods and confections as well as a large quantity of handmade goods. I wonder if our reviewer has experienced the same in his travels?
Again I welcome the Banana to MY community and look forward to visiting them whenever I need a unique crafted gift or a new object for just for fun.
That aside, it's nice to see art sold in the market by people wearing shoes. But that's just me.
The fudge wasn't the best thing from the blue banana. But my man thinks with his stomach, his other gifts were from various other shops in the GTA. But the fudge was his favorite. I picked up many unique pieces of handmade jewelry, handmade hat, cocktail shaker etc for other family. The point I was trying to make is that when it comes to art, there are many different forms, and you obviously don't appreciate all of them. Nor do you seem to have an understanding of the various cultures surrounding the various forms of art.
You seem to be an extremely closed minded individual with a lack of appreciation or understanding of other cultures/art forms/expressions.
The comment posted by the woman who manufactures the hats is a prime example. You seem to have no real clue as to the effort or skill that goes into making some of our everyday items that are also an expression of artistic ability. Maybe you should revisit the definitions of art.
art
1 the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power : the art of the Renaissance | great art is concerned with moral imperfections | she studied art in Paris.
? works produced by such skill and imagination : his collection of modern art | an exhibition of Tibetan art | [as adj. ] an art critic.
? creative activity resulting in the production of paintings, drawings, or sculpture : she's good at art.
2 ( the arts) the various branches of creative activity, such as painting, music, literature, and dance : the visual arts | [in sing. ] the art of photography.
3 ( arts) subjects of study primarily concerned with the processes and products of human creativity and social life, such as languages, literature, and history (as contrasted with scientific or technical subjects) : the belief that the arts and sciences were incompatible | the Faculty of Arts.
4 a skill at doing a specified thing, typically one acquired through practice : the art of conversation
I love it. It fits extremely well, and many of my friends like it as well. I am extremely pleased with it. Can you tell me where I can get a summer hat of the same style and quality. And to add more joy to my find is the fact that the hat was made in Canada.
Merci beaucoup Meaghan. As for the Blue Banana, Renato and I like the diversity and high quality of your products. We can't resist going in there when we pass by to see what new items you will have. Congrats on the store.
The store is a lot of fun. One of my favorite places in the city.
It seems like Janice works at Blue Banana. Come on, who the heck sings,and dances at their job. Lame.
I've also overheard customers who were looking at purchasing something from a jewellery case, but none of the employee where around to open it.
Unfortunately many people will still shop even after reading this, but if you care of the mom & pop stores around, you will pass spending your hard earned cash here.