MMK - Museum für Moderne Kunst (Museum of Modern Art) in Frankfurt a.M. / Germany
You know that feeling when the days keep rolling into one thundering, intense landscape where you can't see the horizon and you just keep moving forward? That was October.
And, I'm almost dismissing it, as it comes to an end, as a mess of work, deadlines, production work and chaos, but I won't because even though the intensity sucks, it will make the small breaks all that sweeter.
So, its been a bit quiet around here, as I've been a bit overwhelmed with it all.
I'm currently working on several projects, conceptualising a project for the 2014, "Not Forkchops" exhibition which launches in January, designing for a ring exhibition in Vancouver, preparing work for a pop up shop at the Ontario Crafts Council gallery on Queen Street, and preparing work for the City of Craft show in mid December.
Did I forget anything? Likely. I'm finding that I am in need of some time to develop some conceptual projects and really would love the time to tinker and experiment with some ideas I've been mulling over. I really can't see that happening until February, after design week.
Till then, I'll keep on....
When Nuit Blanche launched in 2006, it had an intimate, art community vibe. Flasks were loaded up, and groups of artists stumbled around, checking out the installations, exhibitions and happenings. Although an estimated 425,000 attended the all night party, It was a calm, exciting event.
The next year, Nuit Blanche exploded.....it had doubled in attendance, over 800,00 people took to the streets and It was disorganised bedlam. It clearly was unprecedented and unanticipated that the all night arts event would explode in this way. The sidewalks were loaded, people were spilling out onto the street in traffic, getting around Queen street was impossible as everyone moved in a jerky shuffle.
Year two, despite it's chaos was my favourite. It was the year that "Night Swim" happened, the all night pool party, that had many djs vying for a chance to spin. The dressing rooms were a mess of naked bodies, muddied floors and beer. A young guy dressed in a tweed hat and overcoat pretended to dance up to the edge of the pool then threw himself in, inflatable pink flamingos squeaked against wet bodies, beach balls were tossed around.
It was magic. And I really can't see this happening ever again. The next year, the optics changed...it was very organised, and continues to evolve annually.
While downtown picking up some jewellery supplies, I shot some images of the installation, "Garden Tower in Toronto", by Japanese artist Tadashi Kawamata. It was interesting to see the piece installed next to a massive church, and the juxtaposition between the church spires and the massive chair column was impressive. The chairs are fixed to a metal frame structure, and it has an opening, that passes all the way through the bottom, much like a tunnel. It is being protected by security and fencing at the moment, so you can't walk inside until the big night!
http://www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca/
It is terribly stunning outside of the studio windows.....all of the trees, the blinding light. It's difficult to concentrate when it is so beautiful outside. I hope it is an amazing Fall, wherever you are, and that you are taking some time to be outside and just enjoy it, while it's here.
Here is what last week looked like in the studio, working on a massive heap of castings, in preparation for the holidays, gallery and wholesale orders.
The other shots are from a much needed escape to check out Marcel Dzamas short film, "Une danse des bouffons", a dadaist love story. The installation shot of the couple is exhibited to compliment the film in the gallery space.
The exhibition celebrates the work of David Cronenberg, and Dzama was commissioned to create a short film to contribute, in collaboration with the Toronto Internaional Film Festival. If you are a Dzama or Cronenberg fan, a visit to the Museum of Canadian Contemporary Art is worth the trip. It was great to see Dzamas drawings come to life in film, set to a soundtrack scored by Arcade Fire.
After tripping out with Dzama and going down that rabbit hole, I needed something light and contrary. Staring at Pugs and eating french macaroons ususally does the trick. Nadege patisserie on Queen street, beside the park has amazing temptations and their space is stunning.
Marcel Dzama, Une Danse Des Bouffons (or A Jester's Dance), 2013, video still.
http://www.nadege-patisserie.com/
