Nuit Blanche was founded in 2002 in Paris and has grown rapidly since. In 2006, the Deputy Mayor of Paris, Christophe traveled to Toronto and helped set up the first official North American edition of the event. Held September 30, 2006, the event was a huge success and has become a Toronto tradition. Based on the success of the Toronto event, the Nuit Blanche has since been expanded into several other North American cities.
With the event having so quickly become ensconced in the fabric of Toronto life, it is worth exploring the history of the Nuit Blanche, to see just how and why this event became so successful. From its origins in Paris, to the unique way in which it treats art as an accessible public object free from boundaries of the mind, Nuit Blanche has tapped into something at the core of Torontonians outlook on life.
The history of Nuit Blanche can be explored from several perspectives. There is the consideration of the close relationship between the cities of Toronto and Paris that helped bring the event to North America in 2006. There is the philosophy behind the art that makes it to accessible to the public. There are also many logistical considerations to be considered when translating an event from Paris to Toronto and then doubling its size within two years. All of these collectively form the history of the Nuit Blanche in Toronto.
No author. (2008). "Event History." Scotiabank Nuit Blanche. Retrieved November 2, 2008 from http://www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca/eventHistory.shtml
This article outlines the history of the event in Toronto. It outlines both the 2006 and 2007 events, their economic impact, their attendance and their overall success. There is a section that explains the history of the event globally, from its inception in Paris in 2002 until today. The article also delves into some of the key success factors that have helped it spread - the quality of the art combined with its accessibility and the event's uniqueness.
Whyte, Michael. (2008). "Is it art? Nuit Blanche brings question to the fore" Toronto Star. Retrieved November 2, 2008 from http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/511763
This article discusses some of the conceptual underpinnings of the Nuit Blanche concept. It explores the nature of conceptual art and the history of that concept. That history is then applied to the 2008 Nuit Blanche, with an explanation of some of the exhibits in the Nuit Blanche and how they fit into the paradigm of conceptual art.
Ramsay, Grant. (2006). "City of Toronto announces further details for Scotiabank Nuit Blanche." Live With Culture. Retrieved November 2, 2008 from http://www.livewithculture.ca/content/view/full/10313
This article outlines the first Nuit Blanche in Toronto. From the period when the project was first being announced, this piece lends an explanation of the basic concept of Nuit Blanche, and announces some of the exhibits. It is useful to the understanding of the history of Toronto Nuit Blanche because it illustrates the event from its earliest times, when it had not yet taken place.
No author (2008). "Nuit Blanche." Paris.fr. Retrieved November 2, 2008 from http://www.paris.fr/portail/english/Portal.lut-page_id=8208&document_type_id=5&document_id=34123&portlet_id=18969
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