Festival Tower hosted a one-day exhibit of the work of famed Canadian celebrity photographer, George Pimentel, on Wednesday.
Presented by the Daniels Corporation, the exhibit is being held at the penthouse unit on the 45th floor of the Festival Tower. The exhibit, Famous Faces in Exquisite Spaces, features over 90 of Pimentel’s most famous photographs of Hollywood royalty.
Pimentel is one of Canada’s top celebrity photographers. In addition to serving as TIFF’s official photographer for close to 20 years, he has also snapped exclusive pictures at some of Hollywood’s most elite events; including the Oscars, the Golden Globes, and any film festival or awards show you can think of.
Photographs of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Whitney Houston, Sandra Bullock, Robert DeNiro and former flames Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, and Russell Brand and Katy Perry, are among the many in the exhibit.
“I would buy that one and hang it everywhere,” says Brenda Clark, pointing to a framed still of George Clooney stepping out of a yacht at the 2005 Venice Film Festival. “Look at George’s face! I love it.”
Clark, an on-site real estate broker for both Festival Tower and Cinema Tower, says she is pleased with the exhibit turnout at the event. Though Cinema Tower is expected to open in 2013, it has already sold 80 per cent of its units.
“It’s a cross promotion between us and George Pimentel,” says Clark. “We’re hoping to show off the space and some of his work, so it’s really win-win.”
With Pimentel’s talent comes bragging rights, as the Torontonian is often the only Canadian invited to these high-class affairs.
One of his most popular photographs at the exhibition – save for the canvas wall-hanging of Brad and Angelina walking down the steps at the Cannes Film Festival – was taken this year, at the Golden Globes. It features an elated cast of The Artist, celebrating their win, alongside Uggie the dog.
While taking in the ode to celebrity, and the spectacular, unparalleled penthouse view, gawkers also commented on the ever-evolving Toronto skyline.
“The old Four Seasons has condos, right?” asked one patron.
“What’s coming first, Four Seasons or the Shangri-La?” asked another.
Adjacent to the TIFF Bell Lightbox, each suite in Festival Tower is named in honour of a particular filmmaker or actor.
The exhibit was held in the Freeman suite, and for a limited time, it actually boasts a photo of Morgan Freeman himself, taken by the famed Canadian shutterbug.
The exhibit will continue until 9 p.m. tonight. Prints of Pimentel’s work will also be available for sale.
Exhibit photos by George Pimentel. Some event photos courtesy of Christian Allaire.
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Joanna Adams writes the Morning Cable, and lots more, for Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at †@nowstarringTO.
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