New News

Hello Blog world!

I am currently working on a number of exciting projects! First and foremost, my thesis research and project will debut in Pictou County June 2012… entitled the W(here) Festival. Check out the blog for that project at http://wherefestival.wordpress.ca. Highlights of the festival will include: local resident/artist-led “field trips” throughout Pictou County,  engaging visiting artist projects by Marlene Creates and Sheilah Wilson, fun and fabulous talks by local Pictou County artists about their work, a special discussion about art, place and community with invited guests and an exciting family friendly closing event that will bring you back in time.

Also! My collegue Katherine Dennis and I are working on an exciting discussion event for the OCAD University Graduate Gallery entitled Let’s be Friends in March. More info to come on that soon. This event will delve into the artist/curator curator/artist debate in a playful manner. An apt discussion for today’s emerging practitioners!

In the day to day life here in Toronto I am also working on a special research project with the Toronto Arts Foundation, OCAD University, York University and Art Starts exploring 3 diverse neighbourhoods in Toronto (Weston & Mt. Dennis, Jamestown and Malvern)! Our objective is to to gain a better understanding of how residents engage with the arts at a neighbourhood level. See more info here! http://neighbourhoodarttoronto.wordpress.com.

Thank you for stopping by! Best, Mary

 

bonfirecity

On a  summer evening under the neon glow of luminescent sticky stars and  the smell of “royal pine” filling our lungs, we gathered for a campfire at the OCAD University Graduate Gallery. Bonfirecity was a great night with many friends in attendance. Some of whom even brought their own campfire snacks! We told ghost stories and listened Neil Yong covers played by our very own campfire troubadours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

W(here) things happen

Hello blog world

Alas I have been away for a while. I thought I would let visitors in on my newest curatorial project the W(here) Festival in Pictou County June 2012!!! This is my second year thesis work for OCAD University in Toronto.

The W(here) Festival is a year long research project which seeks to bring together local artists, diverse communities and visiting artists in a rich program for all ages. Discussions with the local community will form the basis from which the project will grow as well as the artists, locations and modes of presentation chosen. From an academic perspective, I am investigating the divide between what is historically considered the margins – small town and rural Canada – and various city centres in relation to contemporary art practices. As a curator and artist, I am  interested in the conversation between contemporary artists and communities and the complexity of artistic practices and methods that engage the local. Check out the blog and facebook group for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Springing into Action

Working on a new proposal for the OCAD U Graduate Gallery today entitled Bonfirecity. Part exhibition, part social gathering, this project seeks to rectify the intense urbanity of summer in downtown Toronto by transporting the decidedly non-urban act of having a bonfire to the heart of the city. On a series of ten television monitors, piled at the centre of the gallery, DVDs of the commercially produced “Virtual Flames” will be played. Visitors to the one night event will be encouraged to dress for a proper beach bonfire (plaid shirts are highly encouraged) and bring a blanket or cushion to sit on. Two guitars will be present if an impromptu sing-along happens to break out.  If my application is successful I will send out a call for performances (storytelling, performance art and music) but of course spontaneous improvision at the bonfire will also be encouraged.

In terms of a critical line of thinking, I do see this project as being related to the history of relational aesthetics, however, it is more of a humourous critique than a serious continuation of Nicolas Bourriaud’s method. Bonfirecity does not attempt to bring in the “real” social event of the bonfire into the gallery space instead it is a mutation of it. Bonfirecity may also be regarded in relation to Jean Baudrillard idea of the simulation, as the event is absorbed in a sort of hyperreality, it is both real and referent. Unlike the a real bonfire however, Bonfirecity is potentially infinite and repeatable as the virtual logs never burn out although indeed the gallery will eventually close.

Link to “Virtual Flames” At 0:39 the beach fire sample begins!

the big TOe

Apparently Toronto takes the Blundstone to next level. There is no doubt that I am in the city now.

past and present

The coffee went from hot, to warm to ice cold. But thanks to some help from friendly folks at Hava Java, I just finished adding a few new old things to the Art and Curating sections. enjoy!

bloggedy blog blog.

x

mary

lets go

Dear Internet,

I hope that you are well. Please consider this my first blog post.

Yours sincerely,

Mary MacDonald