7:01 p.m. Nuit Blanche, Toronto’s all-night art party, kicks off with exhibitions at the ROM and various other sparkling locales.

10:05 p.m. Philosopher’s Walk finds itself home to a massive crowd attempting to navigate Fujiko Nakaya’s fog installation. Their vision impaired, they emit loud cries of amazement and joy. Anyone courageous enough to venture off of the paved surface finds their feet sinking in the over-trodden grass, which quickly turns into slippery mud. The treacherous conditions recall days of wars long gone, though curious merriment replace carnage and death.

11:05 p.m. Countless crowds take in Hart House’s eclectic art and performances. A disco-dancing sauna, complete with turntables, a glowing floor and hot, hot steam makes partiers strip off their fleece and do some bootyshaking.
Further in the depths of the building lies the “Dark Hart” exhibition. This consists of the pool area, where a series of eerie videos are projected, including scenes from the Space Odyssey series. The room’s acoustics leave haunting reminders of the vastness of space.

5:45 a.m. Our bloodshot eyes gape at Istvan Kantor’s Revolutionary Song, at Bohemian Embassy (1171 Queen St. W.). A few things stick out: a grown man straddling a rocking horse, a couch pitched on scaffolding containing two occupants, the skeletal remains of a filing cabinet engulfed in a conflagration, and the man himself. Kantor stands resolutely singing along to his revolutionary music video. Other objects are burned, and when the flames catch a sign inscribed “Queen Street West” one can see that the crowd is ready for the word that will send them into a frenzied revolt. Sadly, none comes.

6:45 a.m. By this time, the scene at Nakaya’s installation on Philosopher’s Walk has changed from a hysterical mob into a pleasant myriad of couples and groups of friends loitering in the fog.

7:15 a.m. Nuit Blanche bows to the first rays of daylight.

Check out full reviews of Nuit Blanche in this Thursday’s Varsity, and see all of our Nuit Blanche photos in our print edition, on newsstands now!