Shadow Box Auction and Exhibition at the TMC

I am participating in this year's Shadow Box Exhibition at the Textile Museum of Canada. The exhibition is up now, and will be up until the evening of October 30th, when the gala auction is held. Ticket and gala info is below, but feel free to go to the exhibition, which is open to the public during museum hours, or check out the online exhibition here...

The BMO Financial Group Shadow Box Event is back for its 13th year. Don’t miss your chance to own original artworks from over 150 Canadian and international artists at surprisingly sensible prices.

Come and experience a high-energy evening with friends and help support the Textile Museum of Canada’s exhibitions and education programs. The BMO Financial Group Shadow Box Event is an excellent art-and-gift acquiring opportunity as well as a lively and sophisticated evening of delectable food and wine. Invite friends, or better still buy a block of tickets.

New this year, we are introducing an exciting theme to create a greater connection to the Museum’s activities. In anticipation of the upcoming exhibition The Cutting Edge, featuring fashion from around the world, and to celebrate the TMC’s vast South Asian holdings, guests are invited to come and enjoy a taste of South Asia with food and party atmosphere inspired by this richly diverse region.

Created especially for the TMC by talented artists, featured exhibitioners and well-known personalities Shadow Boxes are diminutive treasures, measuring eight inches square. Highly irresistible and collectable, they make great groupings.

Tickets on Sale Now: Tickets are $125; ticket holders can choose to receive $25 off the purchase of a Shadow Box. To reserve tickets contact 416-599-5321 x2230 or email shadowboxes@textilemuseum.ca

An evening of irresistible art, delicious food, fine wines and electric atmosphere awaits you!

Textile Museum of Canada
55 Centre Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 2H5
t. (416) 599-5321
f. (416) 599-2911
http://www.textilemuseum.ca

Sticky Fingers Art Show and Auction

I will have a piece in the Sticky Fingers auction at the Boat this Thursday! Read on for more details...

On October 16, 2008 work by over 20 exciting local and international artists will be up for auction at The Boat nightclub. Art objects on offer include ceramics, prints, textile art, bookworks, illustrations, and photography. The auction is silent but The Boat will be bumping late into the night with sounds from innovative musical acts Gravity Wave, Vowls, Southern Charles, and PDF Format.

A preview of selected auction items, co-presented by Methinks Presents is open for public viewing from October 2-15 at Project 165 gallery across the street from the auction venue. The reception for the preview will take place on October 7th from 6.30-11pm. If you can’t make it out, check out the artists and some of the work online on the Sticky Fingers webpage.

Local artists, musicians, and comedians Levi McDougall and Sara Hennessey have donated their time and works in support of City of Craft 2008 which will take place on December 13, 2008 from 12-8pm the Theatre Centre (100-1087 Queen St. W). Though the mediums of expression of fundraiser participants are diverse, all support the do-it-yourself spirit of City of Craft 2008, which features community outreach, workshops and interactive exhibits in addition to locally made modern craft goods.

What: Sticky Fingers Craft Auction & Show
When: October 16, 2008, doors 7:30, auction 7:30pm - 10:30pm
Where: The Boat, 158 Augusta Ave.
Cost: PWYC, suggested donation $5

PREVIEW SOME OF THE WORKS AT
Project 165 gallery (165 Augusta)
October 2-15, reception October 7th from 6.30-11pm
Hours: call 416.838.5730

Website Updates...

I finally had the chance to update my website the other day. I've posted a bunch of photographs from my time in the Toronto School of Art's Independent Studio Program, as well as shots from the year-end exhibition. These are just a small sampling...for more, check out my page of 2007/2008 work.

Pictured:
Insecurity Blanket (detail)- shredded office documents (2007/08)
Braidwall (detail)- braided spaghetti (2007)
Under the Rug (detail)- Black moss, polyester thread, fabric trim (2007/08)

A Touch of Sinemania launch this Saturday!

I am thrilled to announce the launch of my pal (Doug Wright Award Nominee) Sophie Cossette's brand new comic! The launch is THIS SATURDAY at Babel Books and Music. Come by to get a copy of your very own and to join the festivities. It should be tons of fun!

Here's a note from Sophie's hubby Phil about the launch...

Hi there! On Saturday, Sept. 27th between 7 and 9 PM at Babel Books and Music, a brand spankin' new comic book will be launched: A Touch of Sinemania, written and illustrated by Sophie Cossette!

This ain't no typical graphic novel; A Touch of Sinemania is a collection of comics and cartoons bound to delight both comix and movie lovers! 84 pages paying twisted humorous tribute to some of the most eccentric and visionary filmmakers in movie history! It's guaranteed you won't ever watch these directors' pictures quite the same way again after reading A Touch of Sinemania! Sophie and I would be delighted if you make it to our launch party on the 27th. Come and get A Touch of Sinemania for yourself, hang out, peruse the other fine books and records Babel has to offer,listen to some terrific tunes, and sling back a beer or two. (This party is BYOB, by the way, 'cause we're basically too broke to supply refreshments:) Babel Books and Music is located on 123 Ossington Avenue (between Dundas West and Queen). The fun begins at 7:00 PM next Saturday night!

We hope to see you there!

A Touch of Sinemania
by Sophie Cossette

Comic Launch Party
Saturday, September 27th. 7-9pm
at Babel Books and Music
123 Ossington Avenue
Toronto

Toronto Zine Library at Ladyfest 2008

From the Toronto Zine Library website...come and take part!...

Danielle and Tara of the TZL Collective will be facilitating a workshop titled Zinemaking for Social Change at this year's Ladyfest Toronto! In this open-format workshop/discussion, we will talk about the history of zinemaking within countercultural movements from the 1920 to the present, methods of making and distributing zines and pamphlets as well as the Toronto Zine Library and it's activities.

Ladyfest 2008 Workshop Venue:
St. Stephen's In-the Fields Church
103 Bellevue Avenue at College Street
North of Kensington Market
Toronto

From Ladyfest Toronto's website:
"Ladyfest Toronto is a four-day arts, culture and music festival. We are a non-profit, grassroots, do-it-yourself collective who seek to promote urban feminism. We work from a framework that is pro-feminist, trans-inclusive, pro-diversity and anti-oppressive. We seek to build community among Toronto's feminist businesses, artists, activists and academic community. We believe that art is a powerful form of resistance and hope to incite dialogue about contemporary feminist issues in our city. We will be providing a venue for women to express themselves and showcase their work free of sexism, classism, racism, and homophobia; as well as other forms of oppression.

We believe that politics can be fun and hope to facilitate political action and create tools for feminist networking at our annual event. We will proudly showcase the talent and actions of both local and international women. Ultimately, we hope Ladyfest Toronoto inspires women everywhere to organize themselves and create similar spaces that allow women's creative works to be seen and heard, as other Ladyfests have for us."

For more information:
http://www.ladyfesttoronto.ca/
http://www.sitekreator.com/zinelibrary
http://torontozinelibrary.blogspot.com

Interview: Fiona Smyth

The following is an interview I did with Toronto artist, illustrator, comic artist, and all-round art renaissance lady, Fiona Smyth for the latest issue of the Toronto Zine Library Resource Zine...

Over the years, you have done comic strips for free newspapers, murals and public works, illustration, and have shown your work in commercial galleries. How do you balance all the aspects of your (diverse!) practice, specifically the "work for love" with the "work for money?" Do you view each part of your practice as separate, or as one whole?
It's not a conscious effort to balance the different work. There is a sliding scale budget wise for "who is asking for what". Hopefully moneyed gigs keep everything else afloat. I apply for art grants every year. Also in the last couple of years I've been teaching at OCAD and selling paint at Home Depot. Regular money that isn't reliant on my art and personal expression has been hugely liberating. I would say everything informs the work in the end, all my experiences.

Do you consider yourself engaged in "zine culture?" I know you have contributed to at least a few zines...what was the extent of your involvement with zines and zine-making in the past? Have you done any self-publishing recently?
I do feel engaged even if I don't have a table at Canzine every year. I used to do zines to go with my art shows as early as 1986 and I just did one for my last solo show The Virtuous at Spin Gallery (with a screen printed cover by Michael Comeau) in 2007. In the past I contributed to Babble, Trash Compactor, Fabulous Babes, The Social Drinker, Heavy Girl Press, Maow Maow. More recently, I’ve contributed to Paper Rodeo, Regal Beast, Milk and Wodka, and Elevator.

What sorts of things inspire your work?
Film (Zhang Yimou, Hayao Miyazaki), comics (Idiotland, Kramer's Ergot, Rudy), comediennes (Sarah Silverman, Amy Sedaris) and travel, when I can afford it. And so much more, like crappily painted store signage and thrift store "art".

If I had to describe the girls/women you draw in one word, it would probably be POWERFUL. Is it (or was it ever) your intention to depict "empowered" women?
It's definitely my intention but it was born out of a subconscious compulsion. I realized over the years I was trying to empower myself and these images of women and girls were all aspects of myself. The work is really autobiographical and definitely feminist.

What are your thoughts on the idea of art-making (or zine-making for that matter) as a tool for self-empowerment? Or the empowerment of others?
Art-making is empowering all-round. And the fact that you can create a zine with little money and send it out and across the world is huge. It's great that the work can be out in the world and not languishing in an art gallery.

Do you consider your work for an adult audience exclusively? I ask because your drawings (and paintings) are so bold, inviting, and often playful. I could see children really responding to your work despite your interest in adult themes and sometimes racy subject matter...
Yes, my work is for an adult audience but its funny because a lot of illustration work I've done has been kid and tween age stuff. I guess my cartooniness and bright colours lend it to that material. More recent artwork has been a lot darker in colour and content, there's no question it's for adults. (In some of the more violent work, Child-like figures are imperiled).

Who are some of your favourite artists, local and otherwise?
I have huge ever-changing lists. Here is a teeny list (and I know I'm leaving folks out, sorry): Allyson Mitchell, Shary Boyle, Julie Voyce, Maurice Vellekoop, Michael Comeau, Marc Bell and the Psychedoolic crew, Vesna Mostovac, Lorenz Peter, GB Jones…these are all past and current zinesters. Ed Pien, Fastwurms, Casey McGlynn, Sandra Meigs. Farther away: Kara Walker, Jim Drain, Raymond Pettibon, Matthew Barney, Taiyo Matsumoto, Chiho Aoshima.

*****

For more on Fiona, check out her website.

Zine Dream 1

I will have a table at the Zine Dream 1 multiples and small press fair this weekend at the TRANZAC. The Toronto Zine Library will also be open upstairs for exploration and lounging purposes. Be sure to come out and check out all the incredible stuff!!!

ZINE DREAM 1
small press art fair, featuring over 40 local artists and zinesters!
+ All 3 rooms of the rooms of the Tranzac, with music and
performances all day! + Toronto Zine Library Open House,
come hang out and read zines! + there will be a bake sale!!

SUN AUG 24 08 - TRANZAC, 292 Brunswick Ave. 12 to 6 pm

+ with music by
-Peace Loving (from Jamaica Plain, MA - http://www.myspace.com/peachloving)
-Doctor Matthew Dunn
-$100 lite (Ian & Simone - http://www.myspace.com/1hundreddollars)

-DJS Longhorn Grille + Orenda

+ performances by
-Lou Calabro
-Stephanie Wilkie
-Chris Locke

PWYC

contact laura (lauramclaura at gmail) or jesjit (jesjit at gmail) for more info

Toronto Zine Library Upcoming Events

From the TZL Website:

Erick Lyle (aka Iggy Scam), long-time creator of seminal San Francisco zine SCAM will be reading from his new book On the Lower Frequencies: A Secret History of the City. Also reading will be Jeff Miller, creator of Montreal's Ghost Pine zine, and locals Joey Comeau and Cathy Crowe. This event will be hosted by This Ain't the Rosedale Library, and will be co-sponsored by the Toronto Zine Library. An exciting appearance by two accomplished zine-makers...don't miss this!

Tuesday, August 19th. 6pm
This Ain't the Rosedale Library
86 Nassau Street, west of Augusta Avenue
Kensington Market, Toronto

AND Please join us for Zine Dream 1, an enormous zine fair which will fill the entire TRANZAC Club! The fair will feature tablers, workshops, DJs and surprises galore! The Toronto Zine Library will be taking part, opening our doors as a lounge/reading room where collective members will be present to answer questions, sell memberships, and show you around the collection!

Sunday, August 24th. 12-6pm
at the TRANZAC Club
292 Brunswick Avenue, south of Bloor
Toronto

The Portable Library Project

The Portable Library Project is a project involving the creation of small works exploring ideas surrounding archiving, journaling, libraries, ephemera, and incorporating an art practice into everyday life.

Invited artists will be sent/delivered an empty cigar box, roughly the size of a hardcover book. Over the course of a week, individuals will be asked to create a 'book' (loose interpretations of 'book' welcome) a day reflective of each person's day-to-day activities and artistic process. Books are ideally made (mostly) while on the go; boxes are intended to be carried with the participant, where books will be added and collected each day for seven days.

This project will culminate in a web-based archive, an exhibition, as well as the inclusion of each Portable Library into a local alternative library for viewing and circulation.

Send all expressions of interest (with a bit about yourself and 1-2 jpgs of recent work) and questions to Tara at cleanteen@hotmail.com

Luke You at the Toronto Zine Library

Please join us for a talk with special guest Luke You of Melbourne, Australia, brought to you by the Toronto Zine Library Collective.

Luke You makes a free weekly paper zine called 'You'. He has published a copy every week since November 2001. The zine usually takes the form of an anonymous hand written letter sealed with staples in a paper bag. The zine is produced in the city Luke You lives in - Melbourne, Australia. Luke has been publishing zines anonymously in Melbourne since 1994.

Luke is also one of the coordinators and one of the founding members of the Melbourne zine store Sticky. Sticky is dedicated to promoting and distributing zines and artist-books and has been getting the zines to the kids since April 2001. His talk will cover his involvement in the Australian zine scene, his own zine 'You" as well as his involvement in the Melbourne zine store Sticky. This is the final gig in his zine world tour which took in Melbourne, Chicago, Bloomington and Toronto.

Sunday, July 6th, 2008.
1:30pm

Toronto Zine Library at the TRANZAC
292 Brunswick Avenue
2nd Floor Rehersal Hall
Toronto, Canada

For more information, contact:
torontozinelibrary@hotmail.com

WWS Coverage in MONDOmagazine

Here's an online article I found about the World Washi Summit that featured little write-ups of both events I participated in. The forth-mentioned origami shoes at TSA and crocheted washi scarf at the OCC are both mine. And congrats to my friend Yoko for getting a really nice mention in the piece...

Craftflash: Awash in Washi

World Washi Summit
June 7-15, 2008
35 locations in and around Toronto

By Amy Borkwood

How many ways can you possibly manipulate Washi — through folding, gluing, dyeing, painting, cutting, printing, sewing, etc. — in order to create something absolutely new? This is what the World Washi Summit seemed to be asking of its artists throughout this one-week exhibition of Washi (the Japanese word for traditional papers, made by hand for over 1400 years, from renewable, indigenous plants). Galleries (and restaurants, retail stores, and more) all across the city dedicated their spaces to the exploration of this traditional paper, featuring new and experienced artists, all working within the medium of Washi.

The hand-making and traditional uses of Washi — and this is applicable to fine craft and handmade goods in general — have drastically reduced with the use of machines in traditionally handmade goods and materials. The purpose of the summit is to draw attention to the traditional roles of Washi, through showcasing the creative possibilities of this medium.

The potentials of Washi seem limitless: at the Toronto School of Art exhibition, there was an exact replica of a newspaper, intricately hand-lettered and hand-drawn, next to an installation of origami shoes, spread along the entire gallery floor, which ended at a podium full of shakeable folded boxes (seeds and bells sounding inside). My favourite piece at this gallery was Yoko Nomura’s “Yozakura (Cherry Blossom in the Night),” which was really a study of the Washi itself: loosely layered sheets of Washi, made with Washi-petals inside the paper as well as on the floor directly in front of the piece, as if the petals had been falling slowly from within the paper over the course of the exhibition.

My boyfriend and I subwayed and trammed down to Propeller gallery, just to find that the show didn’t officially open until the next day — only to be let in for an early showing by a (wonderful) woman working in the gallery. Though the gallery wasn’t completely ready to be viewed — there were papers and rulers along the floor, notes on the walls about the placement of each piece — the work that we saw was stunning. One piece by Teri Donovan stood out: black-ink prints of houses on off-white Washi, with hand-embroidered root systems trailing from each house.

After Propeller we headed to the Ontario Craft Council gallery, where 13 artists had been working over the June 7/8 weekend to create gorgeous, innovative Washi works. Within two days, the artists collaborated or worked individually to craft mobiles, “paper cups” (glass cups overflowing with torn Washi), jewellery (a necklace made of large, egg-like sculptured Washi), multiple collages, and even a scarf knit from Washi and shredded office paper. The OCC exhibition, all crafted within the two-day deadline, is now being auctioned off to the public. Go to the OCC show if only to see the knit-paper scarf. Honestly, how is that possible?

***

Original article can be found here.

Washi Lockdown and Auction at the OCC

So the Washi Lockdown is over and done with! It was pretty intense, but a really awesome experience. It was a real luxury being able to make work for 24 hours (almost) straight, with 12 (incredible) artists and craftspeople.

I didn't make it out to the auction, but I'm thrilled that two of my three pieces sold, and that the event was a great success for the OCC. My sincere thanks go out to Katherine McKellar, Janna Hiemstra, and the rest of the Ontario Crafts Council for organizing a really incredible event, as well as to all of my fellow participating artists.

For those of you interested in taking a look at the goings-on last weekend, check out the official OCC Washi Lockdown Blog, which lists the results of the auction, and features exclusive photographs of the two-day event: http://occwashilockdown2008.blogspot.com

AND...tomorrow is the last day of the World Washi Summit! Make use of the day and be sure to go out and see as may of the fine WWS exhibitions around the city as possible!

http://www.worldwashisummit.com

Pictured: Tara Bursey, Web, knotted washi and straight pins (2008)

Washi Lockdown and Auction at the OCC

Ontario Crafts Council Washi Lockdown & Auction
Washi Lockdown June 7th and 8th, 9am - 9 pm
Washi Auction Party June 11th, 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Ontario Crafts Council Gallery, 990 Queen Street West, Toronto

14 craftspeople + 1 gallery space x 2 days = infinite possibilities

Throw in all the washi paper they can handle and you get the Washi Lockdown & Auction in support of the Ontario Crafts Council In partnership with the World Washi Summit and the Japanese Paper Place, the Ontario Crafts Council is pleased to present the Washi Lockdown & Auction. Developed as a means to engage both our membership and the public in a new and exciting way, the Washi Lockdown was inspired by both the creative potential and beauty of washi paper and the pioneering efforts of the Emma Lake International Collaboration.

This weekend, June 7th and 8th, 14 craftspeople in all media from across Ontario will be locked into the Ontario Crafts Council Gallery together for 2 days. Pushing the boundaries of traditional craft practice they will create a series of one-of-a-kind collaborations incorporating washi paper that will be auctioned off the evening of June 11th. Stop by the gallery and peer through peep holes cut into washi paper covering the front window of the gallery.

Don't miss a rare opportunity to bid on truly unique collaboratively hand-made objects.

The Washi Lockdown brings together emerging, mid career and senior craftspeople, including Tanya Norman, Brad Copping, Marc Egan, Yusun Ha, Tiana Roebuck, Jess Riva Cooper, Tara Bursey, Andrew Curle, Emma Gerard, Joel Dunkley, Patrick Collins, Julie Laschuk, Kathleen Doody and Lubo Brezina. The live auction on June 11th, 6:30 - 9:00 pm, is your chance to get your hands on the one of a kind pieces of craft created during this unusual event. 100% of funds raised will go to support the Council’s programming and exhibitions schedule. All work created will be on display in advance of the auction at the OCC Gallery June 9th and10th.

For more information about the OCC and the Washi Lockdown & Auction contact Katherine McKellar at 416-925-4222 ext.222 or kmckellar@craft.on.ca. To learn more about the World Washi Summit and the vast creative potential and importance of washi paper please visit www.worldwashisummit.com.

Shary Boyle- Otherworld Uprising at DM Books

I will be excitedly attending the launch for Shary Boyle's long awaited monograph Otherworld Uprising this Sunday at David Mirvish Books. Shary will be signing books from 2-4 pm. The book will include a selection of Shary's more recent work, from her incredible Lace Figures series (see above) to her polymer clay sculpture, drawing and painting.

From Jessica Bradley Art + Projects website:

Shary Boyle’s extraordinary book Otherworld Uprising, arrives mid-April. Published by Conundrum Press, Montreal, in collaboration with the Southern Alberta Art Gallery, this full-colour volume includes over 100 illustrations, an introduction by Art Gallery of Ontario assistant curator Ben Portis and essays by National Gallery of Canada curator of contemporary art Josée Drouin Brisebois and award-winning fiction writer Sheila Heti. The artist will sign books at David Mirvish Books on Art, 596 Markham Street, Sunday May 25th.

For more of Shary's work, check out her website:
http://www.sharyboyle.com

Robert Rauschenberg R.I.P.

"A painter, photographer, printmaker, choreographer, onstage performer, set designer and, in later years, even a composer, Mr. Rauschenberg defied the traditional idea that an artist should stick to one medium or style. He pushed, prodded and sometimes reconceived all the mediums in which he worked."

Robert Rauschenberg, American Artist, Dies at 82:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/14/arts/design/14rauschenberg.html?_
r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Building on the legacies of Marcel Duchamp, Kurt Schwitters, Joseph Cornell and others, he helped obscure the lines between painting and sculpture, painting and photography, photography and printmaking, sculpture and photography, sculpture and dance, sculpture and technology, technology and performance art — not to mention between art and life.

World Washi Summit

I'll be participating in at least one of the scheduled events of the first ever World Washi Summit. Galleries across Toronto and vicinity will be showcasing the work of artists working with Japanese paper as a way of honouring and celebrating washi and it's makers. Galleries such as Edward Day, Loop, Lonsdale Gallery, *new* gallery and several others, and numerous artists will be participating in the festivities. Keep your eyes peeled for printed schedules in associated galleries and stores, or check out the official WWS website (at the bottom of this entry) for all the details...

World Washi Summit
Art comes alive on Japanese paper
June 7-15, 2008
Toronto & Vicinity

What is washi? Washi is the Japanese word that refers to the traditional papers, made by hand from indigenous renewable plant fibres, which have been continuously produced and refined in Japan for 1400 years. With modernization, the future of this craft is endangered.

Why the Summit? For centuries, washi has been indispensable to daily life in Japan and each of the hundreds of types and sizes of Japanese paper has had a very specific use. Pure white paper for sliding shoji doors, persimmon-dyed paper as floor mats, lustrous gampi for court calligraphy: the special qualities of washi have been continuously employed to make life both more convenient and more aesthetically pleasing for the citizens of Japan.

Over time, speeded up during the 20th century, most of the many traditional uses of washi have lost their relevance and the papermaking industry has been decimated. At the turn of the 19th century there were some 80,000 families making paper by hand. Today there are roughly 320 individuals who carry on the tradition.

Though the domestic use of many types of washi has been drastically reduced, the discovery of the papers and their potential by creative people around the world has given new hope for the continuance of the craft. This has inspired whole new genres of art. Because of its special qualities - great wet and dry strength, translucence, malleability and absorbency, washi is experiencing rebirth in the hands of open-minded artists everywhere who are interested in “new” materials that expand their creative expression.

Goals of the Summit

• to draw attention to the vast creative potential of washi
• to underline its practicality and sustainability – for 1400 years - in a vulnerable world
• to encourage the perseverant papermakers in rural Japan, to show them how artists worldwide are inspired by their paper
• to honour artists from around the world who are discovering and using its unique characteristics in excepti

Overview

The World Washi Summit will be an international gathering of Japanese papermakers who make washi, those who distribute it, artists who produce art with it, curators who exhibit it and the art-buying public who are eager to learn more about it. Scheduled for June 7-15 2008 in Toronto, Canada, Summit events will honour quality craftsmanship, sustainability and artists’ creativity in Toronto and around the world.

For more specific information, please visit the official World Washi Summit website:

http://www.worldwashisummit.com/index.html

Pleasure-Purpose at the OCC Gallery

I will be participating in the following exhibition, Pleasure-Purpose, this month at the Ontario Crafts Council Gallery. Read on for more details...

Pleasure-Purpose
May 8-June 6, 2008.
Curated by Janna Hiemstra
at the Ontario Crafts Council Gallery
990 Queen Street West
Toronto
Opening Reception: May 8th, 5:30-8:30pm

Featuring contributing artists: Alain Belanger, Ann Mortimer, Anne Barros, Carolyn Scandiffio, Janna Burford, Keith Campbell, Kevin MacLean, Lily Yung, Maciej Dyszkiewicz, Michael Fortune, Peggy Mersereau, Roger Wood and Tara Bursey.

From Curatorial Statement:

"Craft is a slippery entity. Occupying multiple spaces, it is able to take full advantage of its flexible margins to play with materials, techniques and its creative rationale. Craft can delight, comfort, confront and satisfy in more ways than one.

At the same time, attempts to pin craft down often result in defined categories of materials, processes and uses. A common approach situates craft somewhere between art and industry - a place where craft objects are not quite required to accommodate the contemplative relation between form and content, but rather operate as either decorative or functional pieces.

Within this framework, craft is often associated with a creative skill developed in terms of specific materials like ceramic, fibre, glass, metal and wood. These skills and materials further include the notion of the ‘handmade’, which carries with it implications regarding craft processes and purposes such as originality and authenticity, locality as well as anti-industrialism. As an aesthetic discipline rooted in the arts and craft movement of 19^th century Europe, in turn influenced by the industrial revolution, these implications are not surprising.

However, along with many other things in creative culture, borders have been crossed, and lines blurred. Contemporary craft easily negotiates the territories between functional, ornamental, sculptural and conceptual genres. One indication of this is the capricious category of ‘mixed media’ where materials converge, new materials like plastic are used, and found objects make an appearance. Craft can also be found across the cultural map in museums, galleries, schools, magazines, and the fashion industry; and is made, used, displayed, contemplated and discussed by a large and diverse mix of people.

In response to this seemingly amorphous area of making, PLEASURE-PURPOSE is an attempt to navigate craft and question its contemporary role; leaving space for the work to speak for itself, and allowing contradictions between different approaches to surface. With an array of multidisciplinary work by both emerging and professional craftspeople, different objectives and uses are contrasted to challenge boundaries and create discussion concerning the pleasure we find in craft and what we perceive its purpose to be. For all intents and purposes, craft is a unique embodiment of creative expression that needs to be explored."

Shred Scarf

I am in the middle of crocheting a paper scarf (an odd project for spring...this past winter has scarred me, obviously...) made out of the same shredded documents as the Insecurity Blanket. Here are some details of it...more to come later.

TZL Spring Open House

Come on out for our first annual TZL Spring Open House! Learn more about our collective activities and our collection, take time to read some of our fantastic materials, and find out about becoming a member with borrowing privledges. At the Open House, TZL-ers will be present to give tours of the collection and the library's other special features as well as answer any questions about what we do. There will also be a surprise Musical Guest, we'll be screening episodes of Our Hero as well as a short film about the Anchor Archive zine library in Halifax, and there will be snacks and drinks galore! Come out and show your support!

With Love,
Suzanne, Patrick and Tara
TZL Collective

Toronto Zine Library
Spring Open House
Wednesday, April 30th, 6-9pm

TRANZAC Club
Second Floor Rehearsal Hall
292 Brunswick Avenue
South of Bloor Street

Insecurity Blanket

A few photos from the three hour-or-so performance that took place in the Insecurity Blanket installation, 12.04.08. The show is up until tomorrow morning, so if you haven't seen it yet, shake a leg and get over there today at some point...