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Bryan Adams launches book on campus

By Chieu Luu Luong

Canadian singing sensation Bryan Adams came to Ryerson last Tuesday to launch his new book that supports breast cancer research.

The book, Made in Canada, features 85 photographs of prominent Canadian women artists, activists and athletes. Some of the women featured include singers Shania Twain and Sarah McLachlan, model Linda Evangelista and dancer Karen Kain. The woman on the cover is Adams’ friend Donna, who passed away from breast cancer before the book was completed.

Adams discussed his book with image arts and fashion students in a question and answer session, led by veteran journalist Ann Medina.

“This is the first time I’ve been in a university,” Adams joked. “As a student or as a non-student.”

The students in attendance were impressed by Adams’ knowledge of photography.

“I didn’t expect that he’d know so much,” said Martine Duprey, a first-year image arts student. “But it shows that all celebrities are just people.”

All royalties from the sale of Made in Canada will be donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

“I think it’s a wonderful gesture on his part,” said David Macleod, chair and president of the national board of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. “It can only mean a good thing for our cause.”

In addition to Adams’ visit, Kodak Canada, which sponsored the book, donated $100,000 to support the Kodak lectures at the school of image arts.

The program brings in guest lecturers to talk to students about the image design industry. Past speakers have included Canadian director Atom Egoyan and German artist Jochen Gerz.

Adams spent a year and a half photographing different women for his book, travelling around the world to meet with the models.

When it comes to taking photos, the only advice Adams has is “just shoot.”

His photographs will be on display at the Royal Ontario Museum starting Oct. 22. The book costs $25.

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