Cool Fun Times

I am a Special Guest.

2011-10-08T03:00:00.004-04:00

Hi. This is happening. Come!

Work is up until the 15th of November.

Shawn Kuruneru
Bsviv Books

plus
Special Guests

Friday, Oct. 14, 2011
6:30-9 p.m.

Images by Shawn Kuruneru

Art Metropole welcomes SHAWN KURUNERU & Bsviv Books

along with Special Guests

Join us for a special presentation of Shawn Kuruneru's most recent publication Women, along with new books, sculptures, food and jewelry by Jimmy Limit, Julia Kennedy, Christy Kunitzky,Maggie Groat, Katie Lyle, and Jesse Harris.

Kureneru's Women is a 38 page collection of drawings produced in an edition of 300, 5 inches by 8 inches, full-color throughout, laser print, and perfect bound.

Shawn Kuruneru was born in Toronto, Ontario. He has shown at The Drawing Center (New York, NY), Ribordy Contemporary (Geneva, Switzerland), Night Gallery (Los Angles, California) and Battat Contemporary (Montreal, Quebec). His drawings were recently acquired by the Montreal Contemporary Art Museum.

Bsviv is a new publishing company based in Montreal, Canada dedicated to printing exceptional quality books with a focus on innovative visual sensibilities, DIY energy and creative freedom.

Links:

Bsviv Books
Shawn Kuruneru ...and... here

Jimmy Limit
Julia Kennedy
Christy Kunitzky
Maggie Groat
Jesse Harris
Katie Lyle

2011-09-18T16:56:00.002-04:00

This new show by Alexandra Bircken looks amazing! Wish I could see this stuff in person.

http://kimmerich.com/html/2011/alexandra-bircken/index.html"

2011-08-24T12:59:00.002-04:00

Date Night, torn jeans, 2011

2011-06-14T22:23:00.001-04:00

2011-05-29T17:45:00.002-04:00

Summer, 2011, made from all my summer shoes

Detroit

2011-05-29T17:19:00.005-04:00

Among other things...

Go Tigers!
Obligatory self shot portrait?
Graffiti cover up? Obviously I'm a total sucker for stuff that looks like this.

Louise Bourgeois. Good one.

Classic Sol.

Brette!

Shoes.

Dotty Wotty.

2011-05-17T20:58:00.002-04:00

Untitled, 2011, found image, masking tape

2011-05-15T17:10:00.003-04:00

Beautiful Mountain Three and Four, 2011, tile, plaster

Irresistable

2011-05-05T18:57:00.002-04:00

Some work by Florian Maier-Aichen that suits my mood today.

favourite

2011-05-04T20:04:00.001-04:00

2011-04-29T15:30:00.002-04:00

Looking at fashion from a feminist perspective means I often notice exactly what this writer is talking about. Obvious representations of potentially offensive stereotypes, images with undercurrents of racism and the like, that are glossed over without any explanation, or acknowledgement. I often wonder how aware the people who produce these images are of the messages they send, and if they care, and if they think other people care, and all that. Anyway, this is kind of an interesting article.

http://nymag.com/fashion/11/spring/71654/

2011-04-19T21:44:00.001-04:00

Love this piece by Phyllida Barlow.

This was fun.

2011-04-16T13:55:00.000-04:00

2011-04-12T13:30:00.001-04:00

TTMO.

Sunshine Paradise

2011-02-20T18:56:00.002-05:00

The Poppy Family

2011-02-07T22:15:00.003-05:00

2011-01-02T10:06:00.003-05:00

I made a cat blog while I was drunk and now I'm just going for it . Don't judge.

My Catty Blog

This Rules.

2010-12-30T18:46:00.001-05:00

2010-12-16T18:50:00.002-05:00

"You're the kind of girl The Beach Boys wrote songs about."

What a Wonderful World!!!!

2010-12-07T22:39:00.000-05:00

Oh Hi!

2010-11-30T16:18:00.001-05:00

This Art is Old

2010-11-24T22:48:00.003-05:00

Whatcha gonna do?

The All Seeing EYE!!!!

2010-11-07T21:19:00.005-05:00

I made this thing a couple of weeks back...
It is made of brass, all by hand. I sawed, filed, soldered and polished this bitch!

2010-10-19T23:50:00.000-04:00

Lara got married!
And I am tall.

Family Portrait

2010-10-17T20:48:00.002-04:00

Group Show

2010-10-13T17:12:00.003-04:00

I have some work is this show opening tomorrow night....

Slight Gestures
Curated by Gregory Denton and Xenia Benivolski

The ten artists whose works make up Slight Gestures create objects and images that are strangely compelling, and they do so with relatively simple methods and with everyday materials. Certainly, these strategies are not new in art making, but these ten share a sensibility that deserves some direct attention. The pieces are marked by a sentimentality and reverence that offsets the straight conceptualism of some of the process-based work, and inspires reverence and curiosity in the viewer. Why do we keep some things while we throw others away? How do you decide which piece should be seen, what is worthy of an audience? what is the minimal requirement for a gesture?

Entropy and chance play a role here, as does humour:

By allowing technical flaws the artists are freed from the burdens of style and are guided instead by moral and emotional attachment to an absurd end. In an interview with Peter Fischli and David Weiss, Jörg Heiser once said "These stories of failure and collapse and then not failing after all – that’s also the heroic theme of slapstick: the hero who accidentally breaks something, but in so doing brings about a stroke of good fortune and knocks over the villain, etc. You laugh because something that cannot really work actually does work. It’s a kind of triumph."

In choosing these artists, we wanted to know if that sensibility could be made clear. We asked the artists for their own views about their practice and used their input to create the show’s title. In the transcription of that conversation, included here, Nikki Woolsey describes her sculptures as a collage of objects that speak to one another - their relationship is even described as a romantic one. In seeing these works together, we create a larger conversation between the diverse and thoughtful practices of these artists.

By using found and ready made objects, prints and collage, artists are building things that they feel warrant our attention and sentiment. Janis Demkiw is embellishing an embellishment, James Gardner rescued pieces of compositions from his studio floor otherwise headed for the garbage bin, Victoria Cheong presents a projection screen specific for video that has detached itself from its original function and Mark MacKinnon aesthetically alters his TTC Uniform in a minimal, performative gesture.

This exhibition features work by:

Nadia Belerique
Victoria Cheong
Lyndsey Cope
Janis Demkiw
James Gardner
Christy Kunitzky
Cameron Lee
Mark G. MacKinnon
Jennifer Rose Sciarrino
Nikki Woolsey

OPENING RECEPTION: Thursday, October 14 at 7:00pm.

The exhibition continues on Friday, October 15 and Saturday, October 16 from 11:00am - 6:00pm.

A commemorative publication will accompany the exhibition.

via Xenia's website

2010-09-18T11:49:00.002-04:00

Bruce Springsteen was 25 when he wrote Born To Run. Quarter-life crisis, here I come!

Hmmmmm

2010-09-13T22:14:00.001-04:00

Anthropology of Love, Sex, and Marriage, or Caribbean Women Thinkers?

Proenza Schouler + Harmony Korine

2010-09-02T12:25:00.010-04:00

I'm not sure how I feel about this Harmony Korine film for Proenza Schouler. Proenza Schouler are some of my favourite designers. And I guess I've been watching Harmony Korine films since I was pretty impressionable, the thing is I've always felt kind of uncomfortable about his work, which is his intention I guess. I've just never been able to sing his praises like many of my peers. Obviously the juxtaposition of high fashion and poverty is nothing new, but it's still a conversation that I feel is unresolved, and is still offensive in some instances. I guess enlisting Harmony Korine to make your fashion film means you've got some idea of what is to come, but I wonder how the designers feel about the final product, whether they see these social issues as interesting, offensive, etc etc.
I also wonder who these models are. I googled some of their names, just in case they were in fact working models, instead of real people, which is what I would expect from Harmony Korine. It seems that this film is the full extent of all of their modeling experience.

Another thing that springs to mind is the pretty constant question of why there are so few black models in mainstream fashion. Does using black women who are not working models in this fashion film add anything to this debate? Does showing these women, who are presumably lower class, and unlikely to be the intended consumer for Proenza Schouler, wearing these clothes mean anything?
Does it make the intended consumer feel like they are connecting with some authentic outsider experience?

Is this film even really meant to sell the clothes or to simply garner attention ? The truth is, the quality is so low that unless you've already seen these clothes, and you know what you're looking at, it's kind of hard to decipher any real detail or design.
Am I doing that thing that overpriveleged feminists do, trying to force agency upon other women by interpreting this film in all of these ways?

Fashion and Feminism are two of my favourite things, and I can never really figure out where the positive influence of either on each other starts and ends.

Here's the film.

UPDATE

This interview exists.

I don't really think it adds much to the conversation though...

2010-08-28T17:21:00.002-04:00

Yes!

I want.

Soul Sister

2010-08-24T05:23:00.000-04:00

2010-08-10T20:07:00.011-04:00

"Most of what matters in your life takes place in your absence."

-Midnight's Children

2010-08-01T19:00:00.003-04:00

New(ish) wall drawing I did in my old studio. It was my last day there, I think it could've gone further, but I had to leave the walls white!

Forever.

2010-07-24T12:35:00.003-04:00

Nothing but love for these weirdos...

2010-07-23T16:09:00.002-04:00

My camera is broken. Not such a good thing for a blog about making art.

Anyway, I read this today. It is an interview with a woman who has been reporting in the middle east for the last 6 years. It was perhaps particularly interesting to me because of my recent visit to some of the countries discussed. Also interesting because my experiences in these places are much different than hers. Granted, I was a tourist, not a reporter digging for governmental scandal and secrets.... She just wrote a book about her experiences, I'd bet it's pretty interesting.

Can't Help Myself...

2010-07-05T16:07:00.000-04:00

Behold!

The most handsome beast I have ever seen!

Me + Chrissie

2010-07-05T01:04:00.006-04:00

Something I think about often in life and in terms of conceptual art making is names, and how they affect people's lives. How does the name you have affect, limit, or influence your life? Would I be the same person if my name was different? I would say I'm slightly obsessed. I'm also slightly obsessed with birthdays for similar reasons. Chrissie Hynde has the same name (Christine!) and the same birthday as me, so I feel like we must have some sort of connection, or at least a lot of similarities. I can't decide if the fact that neither of us go by Christine strengthens or lessens the connection, but Christy and Chrissie are pretty close too, (Magic!). I'm not sure what kind of work could come out of this obsession, but I have a feeling it's the beginning of something.

And now, a Pretenders song! This one is kind of a guilty pleasure, try not to weep!

I Like What I Know

2010-07-03T13:18:00.004-04:00

I have some new work in this group show taking place at The Whitehouse next weekend. There will be beautiful people and lots of beer I'm sure, all good reasons to stop in. Curated by the lovely Lyndsey Cope.

Artists showing are...
Derek Aubichon
Nadia Belerique
Emily Cook
Adam Cowan
Laura Curley
Greg Denton
Julia Dickens
Cameron George Lee
Jen Hutton
Christy Kunitzky
Jonathan Mayhew
Nitasha McKnight
Vanessa Bee Rieger
Liana Schmidt
Rebecca Fin Simonetti
Ceilidh Stidwill
Xenia Benivolski
Krista Buecking
Liz Knox
Jesse Harris
Amanda Rataj

See you there!

Check it.

2010-06-29T15:10:00.003-04:00

Parallel + Bound website.

Parallel + Bound on Trendhunter.

Hoping for a Homer

2010-06-27T21:40:00.009-04:00

Last Sunday, Rachel and I went to the ball game so that she could stare at the man of her dreams, SF Giants pitcher Lincecum. Unfortunately he wasn't pitching, but we were sitting in the 100s, and spied him hanging out in the dugout. We made multiple attempts to get close enough for introductions and during our stakeout, Rachel spotted him a mere 15 metres away and ran towards him yelling his name, and demanding I be camera ready at the same time. Upon first glance, this just looks like a slightly crazed SF fan,

But check out the close up! Lincy is all smiles! Contact was made and I predict a 2012 wedding!

Best of luck to the future Mr. and Mrs. Tim Lincecum!

Is This Really News?

2010-06-20T17:18:00.002-04:00

I threw my phone on the ground the other night. It's busted. Party trick gone wrong!

Can I Get This on a T-Shirt?

2010-06-15T01:46:00.003-04:00

No Title (the part of) by Raymond Pettibon.

So nice!

More new stuff here.

Thrills. But Not Really.

2010-06-15T00:07:00.009-04:00

X'd. 2010, masking tape, disappointment

Yer So Bad

2010-06-14T11:45:00.004-04:00

In August I am going to see Tom Petty with my whole family and my bestie and I am already counting down the days. Can't wait, it's going to be the best!

This video is hilarious, and I love the weirdly amazing styling too.

Vacay Reading List

2010-05-16T17:16:00.003-04:00

Got all these books to start/finish/re-read while I'm flying to another continent.

Later!

New Guy

2010-05-16T17:09:00.002-04:00

Parallel + Bound

NYC!

2010-05-12T20:05:00.009-04:00

I spent some time in New York last week, and only took three pictures.

Vintage tin tiles!

Sun comin' up!

Beautiful baby kitten!

I looked at lots of art, some of which is still on my mind.

This show by Mamma Andersson and Jockum Nordstrom was one of my favourites. I had seen Jockum Nordstom's work, but never Mamma Andersson's, and I was really taken by it.

Some of my faves

Also saw the Whitney Biennial. My favourite piece was actually part of the permanent collection, Sans II by Eva Hesse.

Eva Hesse has been my favourite artist for years, and seeing this work in person was actually really moving. I was surprised at how visceral of a reaction I felt while looking at it. The photo above is not the actual installation at the Whitney, as this piece has been split up into sections, and is owned by various museums and collectors around the world, but is a similar approximation.

Other highlights were Detroit by Ari Marcopoulos and Untitled by Robert Grosvenor.
This is a video of his work being installed

Art! Who knew it could be so exciting! ha.

Buy My Wares!

2010-05-10T00:01:00.007-04:00

I've recently started this jewelry line called Parallel + Bound. I think it is a perfect combination of my interest in fashion and art, and am really enjoying designing and crafting my pieces so far. I'm aiming to create a look book soon too. Fun summer project!

I've just set up an online store. Check it out!

Parallel + Bound shop

Join the Facebook group for updates, and all that stuff too.

Scrappy.

2010-05-03T00:44:00.004-04:00

Crossed Out Tombstone
altered photocopy

Beautiful Home
millboard, masking tape

Nice things

2010-05-03T00:21:00.007-04:00

The other day I listened to this. Pretty great.

Made some more of these things. Online store in the works!

Picked flowers with this babe.

And watched this guy hit three home runs in a row. Magical!

2010-04-21T20:46:00.002-04:00

Just made this beauty.

Want one?

2010-04-11T12:22:00.001-04:00

I can relate.

Needles and Pins

2010-04-04T12:59:00.000-04:00

My favourite song performed by my favourite old guy and Stevie!

2010-03-31T00:59:00.000-04:00

Some installation shots by Josef Strau. I like this stuff.

New Specs!

2010-03-31T00:34:00.001-04:00

My Dad Learned to Text!

2010-03-21T21:45:00.000-04:00

Still hasn't quite got the hang of it I guess.....
Hahahahaaaaa

My Future is Bright.

2010-03-07T19:21:00.000-05:00

I just got a psychic reading.

These are things she told me:

I will witness someone being eaten by a lion.

Some guy named Manny and I are going to be tiiiiiiight.

I know someone who smokes pot. (WOW!)

I'm probably going to get traveller's diarrhea.

I'm getting blonde highlights, SOON!

I'm going to play darts. COOL!

I have a friend who looks like Nelly Furtado. (TRISHA IS THAT YOU?!?!?!)

And finally, my true calling is WALKING DOGS.

Thanks Psychic Nikki!!!

Attempts at Perfection #3

2010-02-16T00:15:00.002-05:00

masking tape, copy paper

Attempts at Perfection is a series of works I have been working on which are based upon simple, repeated actions, and simple materials.

Highlighting the limits of the human body, Attempts at Perfection #3 was created with the goal of creating perfect rectangles out of copy paper and masking tape. Using simple, uncomplicated, repetitive actions, I taped piece after piece of paper to a wall, allowing errors to present themselves, capturing the evidence of the human hand in this processed based work.

Cruel Cruel World!

2010-02-11T10:53:00.001-05:00

If Alexander McQueen can't be happy in this world, how the heck can I!!!

RIP!

2010-01-25T23:47:00.000-05:00

Paper study, found paper, masking tape.

Some other weird study thing.

Sentimental?

2010-01-25T23:35:00.001-05:00

I collect envelopes with my name written on them. The best parts of birthdays and Christmas are new envelopes.

I showed this piece with the title "Evidence that I Exist" a while back, but it is an ongoing project.

2009-12-21T21:00:00.001-05:00

Beautiful Mountain 1 and 2
drywall, pencil, paint

Some art things!

2009-12-21T20:41:00.000-05:00

My intention has always been for this blog to be mostly art focused; somewhere to post stuff that I'm working on, stuff that I like, whatever. So here it is, an art post! (mostly)

Some collages

detail from an old piece

More mountains

messy desk

and more to come!

Is this what your life looks like too?

2009-12-11T16:05:00.000-05:00

DISGUSTING.

Procrastination...

2009-12-02T21:11:00.000-05:00

This is actually what I've been doing for the last fifteen minutes.

The World is a Vampire.

2009-11-26T09:52:00.000-05:00

This is my new favourite song.

Don't Lie by The Mantles

The video is kind of long and weird, but you get the idea.