STANDARD | Designed by CORWYN LUND + SIMONE MOIR | RESERVE THIS ROOM

ARTIST STATEMENT

Twilight marks the dawn of shadows -- a time when the border between the real and unreal is blurred and objects are not quite as they appear. In The Parlour of Twilight the vernacular of the hotel room is cast in the uncanny revelations of the magic hour. Neon light, Venetian blinds, tin ceilings, shadowy flora, indirect lighting and 1940's inspired furniture combine to create an enchanting film noir effect.

The central feature of The Parlour of Twilight is the window-grate executed in fuchsia neon. The ornamental affectations characteristic of the surrounding neighborhood's security measures are re-interpreted in the seductive and humorous neon design. Glowing into and beyond the interior of the room, the neon light creates a dialogue between the hotel, the guest and the city.

Shadowy images of local plants immerse the guest in a neo-noir reverie. Usually considered a weed, the sumach is known to attack the foundations of buildings. Its wavering branches shimmer in enigmatic interplay over the room's surfaces. Gazing deeply into the heart of the cobalt blue vanity reveals the poisonous berries of the Deadly Nightshade. While these plants portend the pitfalls of indulgence and delusion, they are offered here as magical charms.

The linchpin of the Parlour's grand transpositions is the custom furniture suite. A diamond-tufted blue suede headboard crowns the luxuriant king-size bed.  Wrapping the entire room, the wall-to-wall headboard culminates in two bed-side seats. Unexpected connections are revealed in delectable details such as the corner niche. Topped with diagonally set security glass, the elongated telephone-table reflects the uncanny displacements that appear throughout the room. The total design of The Parlour of Twilight invokes a sensual experience; soft pale blues, midnight purples and metallic accents affect an overall mood that is cool, seductive and serene.

ARTIST BIO

Corwyn Lund's work in sculpture, installation, video, and furniture design focuses on the critical and constructive re-interpretation of space and everyday objects. In public interventions, such as Swingsite and MusicBox RevolvingDoor, he has subtly transformed overlooked architectural detail into experiential works of public art.

Simone Moir is a performance, video, and installation artist. Her works explore individual and collective means of negotiating identity and the tension between commodity, sexuality, freedom, and space. Her public performance interventions include VideoStoreMakeout , Freeplay , and Unison Union.

THANKS | Orest Tataryn our neon master and guidance counselor; Mark Wilson and crew at MetalArt Studio for their installation genius; Edmond Joseph and Jan Marriott for spot-on style consultation in our curtain and bedding designs; Gavin McDougall from Designer Glass Company for the finest etch work and steady hand holding through a glass darkly; Frank and Grazyna from Reliable Interiors for their knowledge and patience; Alison Chan for braving a monster bedspread redesign; Carolyn, Morris, Eugene, and Matt at Silva Custom Furniture for their ongoing dialogue in refining the furniture design and their superb craftsmanship in its production; Doris at Aristocrat Lamps; Deanne Lehtinen, Andrew Reyes, Larry Norris, and John Crump for their expertise and shared resources; Robin Armstrong, Chen Tamir, Netami Stuart, Pari Desi, and John Massier for their help in sourcing materials; Our mothers Alice McTavish and Penny Stephenson for Style and Knowledge; Research pals: Kelly Palmer, Alex deJong, Ken Hayes, and Tao Drayton; Installation pals: Day Milman, Sue Guelke, Scott Anderson, and Michael Bartosik; All the Gladstone Hotel staff including Fred, Gillian, Wally, Timo, Adam, and Mammoud; Suanne McGregor for her kind hearted care; Christina Zeidler for a whole lot of grace.
Corwyn Lund wishes to thank John and Selene Saunders for their unwavering support and The Canada Council for the Arts for financial assistance in the research and production of this project.

CONTACT | Corwyn Lund: corwyn.lund@utoronto.ca

Simone Moir: crystalsword@sympatico.ca