Aatooq means “full of blood” in Kalaallisut, Laakkuluk’s Greenlandic mother tongue. In this film, we explore the spirit of blood – how we ingest it, create it and emit it. We honour blood as our life force.
Ikumagialiit ᐃᑯᒪᒋᐊᓖᑦ (those that need fire) is a performance art band with Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory, Cris Derksen, Jamie Griffiths and Christine Tootoo. The Ikumagialiit quartet is egalitarian, bringing together four strong women from different disciplines, across generations. Ikumagialiit’s premiere show was a part of Abadakone at the National Gallery of Canada and also played at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto before the pandemic. Aatooq is the quartet’s newest work, where the four women pushed themselves to be creative and collaborative despite living in lockdown in three different communities.
Iqaluit, Kangiqlliniq (Rankin Inlet) and Tkaronto (text from National Gallery of Canada)
Work time with group
Arboretum maps/tips/references and advice
Book equipment, demos from Nathan, development of production schedules.
Artist examples – relevant to research interests.
WEDNESDAY
Work time on site in Arboretum together during class time – meet in the classroom for equipment etc.
For this project, I decided to visit the library since I don’t have many books with me in Guelph. It had been years since I last went there, and this experience gave me a chance to reconnect with physical books. Instead of just using the library as a place to study, I spent time exploring the books, which reminded me of life before everything became digital. Holding the books brought back memories of that time.
The stacks I created are “Kon-Tiki and I… Born to Trouble”, “The Ape That Spoke…Life Is Tough…On Becoming Human”, and “The Voyages And Travels Of The Life Of Ferdinand Magellan…Been Places And Seen Things”. I arranged them in a way that tells a new story, as if the books are part of a bigger adventure. Through this process, I wanted to give them a new purpose, almost like a second life, by connecting the titles to suggest a shared journey.
This experiment allowed me to explore how books, when put together in unexpected ways, can go beyond their original meanings and become part of something more.
EXPERIMENTAL FIELD TRIP
Toronto Biennial of Art, Kensington market, and MOCA
Raven Chacon: Three Songs
A brief introduction to the work:
Three Songs (2021) is a three-channel video installation that delves into the history of Native resistance, challenging the myth of an empty, uninhabited American West. The accompanying visuals are paired with For Zitkála-Šá (2017–2020), a series of graphic scores dedicated to First Nations, Native American, and Mestiza composers and sound artists: Ange Loft, Autumn Chacon, Barbara Croall, Candice Hopkins, Carmina Escobar, Cheryl L’Hirondelle, Heidi Senungetuk, Jacqueline Wilson, Joy Harjo, Laura Ortman, Olivia Shortt, and Suzanne Kite.
In a dark room, we watched as videos were projected onto the walls around us. The visuals and music filled the space, and three women, each at different ages, sang as if they were telling stories from the past. The drumbeats, without any background music, felt like warnings, deep and resonant. What drew me in most about Three Songs by Raven Chacon were the visuals. The silent notes seemed to tell distant stories, but they became so vivid and real right before my eyes.
The Quiet Perch is a video project that focuses on the calm and simple beauty of a bird yawning while sitting on benches in the arboretum. Yawning in this context is not meant to be disrespectful. It is a natural and peaceful act that shows relaxation and comfort, which symbolizes a moment of rest. It fits with the quiet and reflective theme of the project.
We will film at different times of the day—morning, afternoon, and sunset—to capture the different moods and lighting that nature offers, adding to the peaceful atmosphere.
Inspirations:
Corpus Dance Projects: A performance where the artists dress up like sheep and imitate the routine activities such as shearing, feeding, milking
Costume ideas
(ignore the head part)
The costume is inspired by the Black-capped Chickadee, a common bird in the arboretum. We will use different fabrics and materials to recreate the bird’s wings, making them look textured and full of movement while still feeling natural and grounded
Bench locations
“The Arboretum’s bench program is a charitable giving program which aims to commemorate loved ones or special milestones, beautify our gardens and collections, and provide both places for rest in the gardens and funds to sustain the Arboretum over time.
The $7,500 is a tax deductible gift, made through the University of Guelph, and the whole amount comes to the Arboretum. The funds support the bench, preparation, footings/pad, plaque design and creation, installation, and sealing, as well as a portion to our endowment for sustainability. The benches have a ten year term, after which family members are invited to renew. (This process arose as a significant need to ensure safety and sustainability).”
We will film on benches that are part of The Arboretum’s Bench Program, which allows people to honor loved ones or special events by placing benches in the gardens. These benches represent rest and reflection, which fits with the theme of our project. The bird yawning while perched on these benches will remind viewers of the importance of taking peaceful moments in life.
This project also acknowledges the University of Guelph’s Arboretum Bench Program, which supports the upkeep and care of these meaningful benches.
Shooting ideas:
Background sounds: collecting different sounds from the arboretum
Some clip could be one and another could be two of us perching on the bench at the same time
Video Idea #2: Dining in the Arboretum (✅)
Concept
In this video, we imagine a fine dining restaurant set up in the middle of nature, with the chef preparing meals for animals who are invited to dine. Through this scenario, we explore how wildlife interacts with a human-made environment like a restaurant. The video captures the intersection between the natural world and human creations, raising questions about coexistence and the influence of humans on animal habitats.
Class Discussion Inspiration
Our project is inspired by a class discussion on Lesbian National Parks and Services: A Force of Nature, where artists created new ways of thinking about nature and invented playful, creative interventions. In a similar way, our video turns the arboretum into a dining venue for animals, playfully blending nature with human elements to make viewers think differently about how we share space with wildlife.
Second Source of Inspiration
We also draw from The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store, a series where a department store adapts its services to animal customers, some from extinct species. This blending of hospitality with wildlife interactions, catering to the animals’ needs, serves as a model for our experiment. In this restaurant, we adapt our service to the animals, without imposing typical human expectations or orders, instead allowing their behavior to guide the experience.
Shooting Plan
The video will be filmed in a tranquil arboretum, where we, as chefs, create a miniature dining experience for the forest’s inhabitants. A small, elegantly set table will be arranged with vintage plates, cutlery, and an assortment of food designed to attract birds and other creatures. The focus is on non-verbal communication—there are no spoken interactions or orders between the chef and the guests. Instead, we observe the animals’ natural behavior, responding to their presence as they explore the environment.
The interactions between the animals and the human-made dining setup will dictate the pace and direction of the video. The idea is not to force a narrative but to capture an organic experience where the animals’ curiosity, hesitation, or engagement shapes the story. Through this process, we highlight the subtle dynamics of coexistence, demonstrating how humans and animals can share space while maintaining the integrity of their respective worlds.
Final Video Project: The Wild Table
The Wild Table is a 5-minute video that sets up a fine dining experience for animals in the arboretum. The camera focuses on a plate of food placed in different spots in nature, to see how the animals interact. In one scene, a squirrel and a blue jay even get into a little fight over food, showing the lively and unpredictable nature of wildlife.
The goal of this project is to see how animals react to something very human, like a fancy dinner table. By watching them, we can reflect on the differences between how animals and humans experience something as simple as eating, but also notice some surprising similarities.
The Wild Table experiment brings together the human and natural worlds, revealing how animals interact with the environments we form. It invites viewers to appreciate the nature and the unique ways of how species interact the world.
In Progress Photos
ARTIST BOOK PROJECT: A BOOK ABOUT A BOOK
Idea:
In my project, I want to explore the fun and surprising idea of cookie tins being used as sewing kits, a shared experience that many people around the world can relate to. When you open a tin expecting delicious cookies and find organized sewing supplies instead, it creates a moment of nostalgia and curiosity. The project looks at how simple objects can change in meaning and use over time.
Inspired by the children’s book This Is Not A Book by Jean Jullien, which encourages creativity through everyday items, I want to capture the same energy. The book will be designed to be flipped vertically and will feature photographs of everyday containers and spaces. This interactive design invites viewers to engage with the work and reflect on their own experiences with familiar items. I aim to develop the excitement of flipping through the pages, similar to the thrill of opening a cookie tin. By experiencing the book, I hope to highlight the connections we have to our everyday life and the hidden value in ordinary objects.
In my work, I want to explore the subtle care expressed through the simple act of sharing chewing gum. Each necklace in this series is crafted from an empty gum packet “pill,” filled with UV gel and colours to represent customized gum flavours such as environments and moods. Each flavour symbolizes a unique space of comfort. For example, like gum itself, a calm or joyful mood can ease tension and bring a sense of healing. Wearing this necklace allows you to carry this small act of care wherever you go, a reminder of connection that can be shared or enjoyed on your own.
The artist discovered that the pills in their drawer were more than just medicine but showed symbols of care. Each one represented a gesture of love, whether from family, friends, or healthcare providers, wishing for health and wellness. Inspired by this, the artist created a series of crystal “pills,” carved from healing stones. The series is a small, meaningful gift, meant to carry a sense of care and connection to those who wear it.
Materials:
UV Lamp Cured Gel (nail glue)
Glitter and paints or nail polish
Necklace chains
Empty gum packets
Idea #2: A secret path (✅)
Concept:
For this project, I want to create a magnet that looks like a secret path, inspired by Doraemon’s Anywhere Door. The design uses optical illusions to make it seem like the path leads to another world or goes on forever. The image is based on a familiar place, the third floor of Zavitz Hall.
Since it is a magnet, it can be attached on a wall (somewhere magnetic), and as part of an artist multiple, the idea can be expanded to include other locations on campus. It could even become a fun souvenir or merch item tied to specific places. The magnets will be designed using 3D modeling so they can be easily made in larger quantities.
I wanted to explore how to make books stand out and create the most striking images. I experimented with various layouts and book arrangements to find the composition that resulted in the most eye-catching photographs.
Power of Light
In this book stack, I wanted to focus on the middle book, Iron Flame, as when looking at all the books of choice the bright tones of yellow stood out to me more. I wanted to find a way to highlight the vibrancy of the book cover. I decided the two dark coloured books would help create a contrast and fortunately, I was able to find titles which correlated to the Iron Flame book.
La Vie en Rose
This book stack was an experiment on composition rather than the titles having a link or connection. I wanted to play with the colours and the layout of the books to see if I could create an interesting photograph. I worked with different shades of pink book covers to see how well they matched with each other.
12 Rules
For the last stack, I wanted to focus on one book and I liked the way I could organise the books to make the white cover stand out. Instantly your eyes are drawn to the book title as this is the only text you can see. The book chosen also creates an interesting composition as it has many arrows pointing to the other books which cannot be seen. As the other books cannot be seen, I feel like it draws the audience in, as the photograph almost ‘hides’ the 12 rules for life as the titles for the other books cannot be seen.
Field Trip
I enjoyed our field trip to the art galleries as I was able to learn a lot about other artists that I had not heard of before. I found it interesting as a lot of art work was based on different topics e.g. culture, historical events and politics that I have not seen in the UK galleries.
Karen Tam- Scent of Thunderbolts, 2024
One of the first Artworks at the Toronto Biennial was the installation by Karen Tam. I really appreciated the scale of her work and the immersive experience she created. Tam’s work explored the themes of culture and experience, by gaining inspiration from Cantonese opera. The use of elaborate staging and spatial arrangement helps to mimic a theatrical stage set.
The next gallery was the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). Many pieces here focused on heritage and culture but I especially liked one in particular. As I am also from an immigrant background, I found this installation heavily relatable and thought-provoking. I am unsure of the artist’s name but I learned during the tour that the work was inspired by the artist’s family’s migration journey. The use of ethically sourced, handmade fabrics to construct the piece added a layer of authenticity and meaning to the narrative. I love the large scale of the work as it shows the emotional and psychological weight of migration. To me, I see the work as a storybook or movie stills as each image is a snapshot of a scene, that conveys a story. Each picture is inviting the audience to reflect on the often-overlooked trauma and challenges that accompany the experience. This piece highlights the difficulty of migration, showing the impact it has on individuals and communities.
Assignment 2- Video Project
The Wild Table
For our video project, we wanted to set fine dining for nature animals. As humans, we overcomplicate many things, little things, such as eating. We focus on table manners and food presentation when in reality we only need the food in order to survive. Wild animals do not focus on these elements and instead, just find food and then eat it. For our project, we wanted to serve the animals their food but in a romantic dinner, setting to see how they react to us handing them their food and not having to hunt for it.
Artist Multiples- Idea 1
I have ideas about making a few types of “mood” stickers, which people can wear depending on how they feel so others know how to interact with them. Eg ‘Do not Disturb’ or ‘I’m in a chatty mood’. You change your sticker throughout the day depending on your goal for the day or how you feel. Even things that you want people to know without having to verbally tell them. For example when people have ” baby on board” or “beware of dog inside”.
Final Idea Assignment 4
My final idea for the artist’s multiple is to make daily reminders. People have many reminders and questions they ask themselves daily, I wanted to make these reminders into stickers and place them in public places so when people walk by they think about these questions. Some are as simple as ‘Did I turn the oven off’ but some I wanted to make have deeper meanings to make people think such as ‘ What was your good deed for the day?’ Or ‘Did you call your mum?’. So as people see these stickers they stop, look and think about these questions.
Final Book
My book is based on my multicultural background. I wanted to focus on patterns and fabrics from India and England. I wanted to see correlations and differences between the two, especially since textiles have been important for both countries for centuries. The book goes through the patterns and fashion to bring to light relations are influences. While researching I learnt some interesting things such as, that the Scottish tartan pattern actually originated in India.
The contrast of interests between an Uncle and a niece
1. Mastering the trade, the potty book for girls
2. How to be a quick turn real estate millionaire baby shark
3. Getting past your breakup, no more pacifier, duck
Each image has a book from my boyfriends at home library and one book from his nieces at home library.
My boyfriend Gavin, is a 23 year old electrician whose goal in life is to make as much money as he can. He is very interested in reading about economics, learning new trades and learning about word history. On the other hand, his two year old niece Octavia is interested in dancing to the baby shark song and is being potty trained at the current moment.
They both live in the same house so I thought it would be a fun experiment to try to make funny statements using a book from each of their libraries.
I wasn’t expecting anything out of the ordinary when going through Octavias books, however I found some funny books while looking through Gavins collection like : getting past your break up.
These stacks are a play on the “real-life” and the soft reality you live in as a child.
Field Trip Reflection: Toronto Biennial
Hanging Shoes:
This piece was was particularly captivating to me because I loved that this artist chose to repurpose something that probably would’ve ended up in a landfill, into art.
When I first observed this, I only looked up at all the hanging shoes and I thought that the way that the shoes were cut up, were meant to look like abstracted birds. It was only after that I noticed that the shadows that were cast from the shoes also looked like a flock of birds in the sky. This is such an interesting concept of repurposing materials and also using a natural resource to create such a cool installation.
From our guild at the gallary space, I learnt a little more about this artist and I came to know that this artist is interested in the topic of immigration/migration. If I remember correctly, the artist themselves is an immigrant and connected the topic of immigration to the migration of birds. A connection that I saw with shoes and birds is that we use shoes to get from place to place and birds use their wings.
Cardboard Drawings:
These drawings are from the same artist and are drawing of many different species of birds on cardboard that was used to import food from other countries. Depending on the season, birds migrate from place to place, and certain fruits and vegetables are only in season in certain months. Again, the artist used repurposed materials, but also has a very well thought out concept by using materials that were perviously used to transport goods from different countries.
Assignment 2: Short Video
Ideas and Chicken Scratch:
My brother does videography for skateboarding, BMX and snowboarding. For this type of videography, the fish eye lens is very popular to use because it gives a cool look to the clip and showcases what trick is being preformed very well. This lens is also used for underwater photo/video, intentional distortion and wide panoramic or hemispherical image. I have the idea to use this lens to create a short video for this assignment and to make the video as weird as possible. Also I want to maybe use this lense for not its intended purpose. Here are my possible ideas:
Licking whipped cream off on my face; or someone else doing this action.
I had this random idea pop into my brain, it has nothing to do with the arboretum. I just thought that the combination of someone trying to lick whipped cream off of their face and struggling because their tounge is too short to reach would be extra funny because the fisheye would distort their face.
Someone doing gymnastics in a prom dress.
I thought that filming someone tumbling barefoot on the grass in the arboretum, in clothes that one would normally not do gymnastics in would make for an interesting video. Combined with some dancing, I think it would look both goofy and mysterious to see someone in a prom dress doing back flips in the arboretum.
A slow performance
Another idea is a slow performance; trying to move as slow as possible when doing a specific action. I did a slow performance in a group a few months ago, and I enjoyed it a lot, but now I would like to see what it would be like to do a slow performance solo. The goal would be to walk as slow as possible for point A to point B (not sure what that would be yet), and try to connect with the rich nature surrounding me. Observing surroundings and listening to all the animal noises.
I have decided to go with the slow performance idea. I am going to set my camera on a tripod and walk towards it from a certain distance (maybe 100-200m away). I don’t want to be too far away that you cannot see me at the start of the video but I also want to be far away enough that the video is decently long (aiming for around 20 mins I think, maybe longer depending). I will chose a point A to start my walk from and point B will be my camera. I would like to do it on a specific path because the trees drape over the path very beautifully, however I don’t want to be in the way of any vehicles that may want to pass through. I am going to wear a vintage dress, and the idea is to connect the idea that when this dress was made and worn, the trees in the arboretum were growing into the beautiful trees they are today. Connecting old with old in a way.
This video is a documentation of a slow performance in the Guelph Arboretum. This is a purely unclipped and barely edited video, your experience is my experience. When you hear the crackling in the mic, I felt the cold wind on my cheeks.
As busy students, we are constantly running from class to class, running for the bus, fitting in time to eat and trying to get enough sleep for the next day to just do it all over again; we miss the beauty of the land we live on. This video is a documentation of slowing down and appreciating my surroundings. While walking this slow I was able to look at the patterns created from the bark on the trees, I heard the pine needles and twigs snap from underneath my feet, and I heard the birds chirp from all around me in the distance.
While this video was only an experience for me and not necessarily engaging to the audience, it is meant to serve as a piece that plays on loop in the background; a meditative sound/visual that provokes thought and slows your brain down. If it were ever installed into a gallery, I would like to have a bench in front of the projection where people can sit to watch or just come and go as they please (only watching certain portions of the video).
Assignment 3, Artist Books: I Photocopied My Boyfriend
The plan is to use a photocopier to document my boyfriends many tattoos. I love the concept of using a printer to document low quality images to then scanning those prints to produce high quality prints, while still capturing the details that show that these images were taken from a photocopier.
This documentation is very intimate, the viewer gets a very up close and personal view of my boyfriends skin. The magazine is very fleshly, and maybe sexual?
Photocopies of myself: Practice
Photocopies of my boyfriend: Practice
These two sets of photocopies were scanned and printed on an HP printer that is probably 15 years old thats been sitting in my house. It is very clear that these printed are VERY low quality, and the colours are very inaccurate. When I did these proof prints, I initially loved these prints because they felt very candid to me and thought provoking because you can tell what the scan is of but at the same time it is ambiguous. My printer went on to break after these scans so I had to re route my plan.
Final Photocopies:
Theses photocopies were taken on a Canon printer that is a fairly newer model printer. As you can see the quality of the scans has much improved in terms of local colour, form and realism. There however is still some factors that make it a low quality scan though through the lines printed onto the scans. I like how these turned out because I managed to capture a fairly good quality scan using a photocopier while still capturing the the low quality details that comes from using a photocopier and printer as a form of documentation.
Final Published Book:
I chose to create a magazine to really emphasize the details from the printed photocopies. To achieve the best quality images for my printed magazine, I took all of my prints and scanned them using the printer in the experimental classroom. This ensured me that my low quality documentation would be presented to you with the best resolution; this way the viewer can really feel like they are holding my boyfriends skin while seeing all the imperfections of the printer.
This magazine, “I Photocopied My Boyfriend”, is a documentation of most of my boyfriends tattoos. It is very intimate and fleshy in the sense that only a select few people have seen all of his tattoos together, but with this magazine the viewer gets to experience all of his tattoos as-well without physically seeing his full body.
I also think this series of images showcasing his tattoos gives the viewer an insider perspective of him, who he is as a person, his interests and maybe the viewer would also be able to make a few assumptions about him: for example, he has two swallows on his hands and, those tattoos are associated with people who have served in the navy, however my boyfriend has never enlisted and is actually an electrician. Thus through that tattoo, the viewer could have assumed that he served in the navy but only I know that he actually got those tattoos with me while he was visiting me in Halifax.
Although this magazine is really intimate, is isn’t at the same time because I know him in a sense that any viewer never will, and I thinks its beautiful that I got to capture that is such a perfect way.
Assignment 4, Artist Multiples: DO MY NIPPLES BOTHER YOU
Brainstorming:
Are My Nipples Bothering you?
Printing the phrase “Are my nipples bothering you”
Onto a t-shirt or hoodie
See through shirt, nipples are easily seen
Creating a necklace stack that read the phrase “Are my nipples bothering you?”
Charm necklace that forces you to read the phrase and look at ones chest
Printing the phrase onto bras, then photographing them to print posters (series of 3)
#1 T-shirt photo
#2 bra photo
#3 topless/ transparent tanktop photo
Comparing and contrasting a male chest and female chest
“Do my nipples bother you” Male chest photograph
“What about now?” Female chest photograph
Printing the phrase onto a t-shirt with a photo of female breasts on a shape of a bra
Forcing engagement
Series T-shirts
“Are my nipples bothering you?”
“Sorry, am I distracting you?”
“I am sexualized by simply existing”
Documentation:
I have created this artist multiple as a response to the invisible but evident dress women’s dress code to not show/expose one’s nipples. Although it is never explicitly written or disclosed that a woman should cover the contour of her nipples, it is widely implied and implemented in society that women should be ashamed and embarrassed when that part of their body is visible in public. As a woman, I think that it is absurd that women’s bodies are sexualized to the point where we start to hide ourselves to help men “contain” themselves; it’s a reverse system.
I created a simple design, a black and white sticker and t-shirt that has the phrase “Do My Nipples Bother You”. It is not a question nor a statement, this phrase just exists, and the viewer can take it as they please. Do my nipples bother me, do they bother you? Whose you? Whose nipples are bothering me? These are the types of questions I assume that people are going to ask themselves when they see this phrase.
This phrase does not disrupt the place it is in, or where it is read, or worn, but rather just co-exist with its surroundings. I want to make people think, think about why women’s bodies are sexualized to the extent that they are, and why such a simple part of their anatomy (that note: all humans no matter the sex have) bother them so much.
I decided to place one of my stickers at the bus stop that I go to every morning, after a day or two someone had partially ripped it off. I am assuming that this person was offended by the phrase or something of that manner but I thought that it would be hilarious to fight back against this person and place a brand new sticker right under the ripped one.
Through this activation of my artist multiple in public I achieved exactly what I wanted from my intentions of this project. Someone saw it, pondered it, disliked it, tried to rip it off, probably thought about the phrase for a while while commuting on the bus, forgot about it, and then got slapped in the face with it again, and will probably repeat that cycle again.
As stated above, this phase is just meant to exist in the space that it is in, whether its worn, hung or stuck to something, its sole purpose is just to provoke thought in the viewer, and maybe eventually change the ideologies and taboo of women’s nipples being exposed in public.
I have chosen to make 3 separate book stacks with different, unconnected themes and concepts. It is my hope that by exploring three separate approaches I may learn the most about which approaches are best suited to the up-and -coming projects we will explore and expand upon in this course. E N J O Y
JAWS Fanart(Ana Platanos, 2024)
For my first book stack I’ve chosen to create a book scape reminiscent of a beach with rolling waves. Formalistically speaking this is my best work out of the three book stacks presented because of its dynamic and creative composition. In terms of concept the book “The Old Man and the Sea” Being positioned like it’s about to be swallowed by the waves (so-to-speak) is a cheeky twist that I hope reminds you the viewer of when that sad old man died in JAWS.
The Maiden, The Mother, and The Crone. (Ana Platanos, 2024)
For this bookscape the phenomenon of viewing woman as either The Maiden, The Mother, or The Crone (as per the title! Haha) found throughout literary history, religious practices and feminist theory is represented. The arrangement of the books arranged both in order of how the three figures are often referred to also serves the conceptual purpose of creating a sort of hierarchy for the trope. Both the Maiden and the Mother lean on the crone for example, however the crone peers through the shadows tucked away and unnoticed. As I battle with myself and my place in the world both in career, family and spirituality as a young woman the history of these tropes and their place in my life and every woman and non man’s life is significant and worth contemplation.
Pretentious (Ana Platanos, 2024)
To be pretentious is to act or behave in a way that expresses you think you’re important, usually more than you really are. I am a super pretentious person and actually I believe that’s the only way to be especially as an artist. I have no idea if what I make is good or why people should like it. At the same time I wholeheartedly believe they should! I like myself, I like my art and I will never apologize for thinking that what I have to share with the world is worth sharing. In order to create both art and connections within art I believe you have to do what every artist in my bookshelf of artist biographies has done, place worth on yourself, your art and the artists of previous and contemporary. In this piece I have created both a book stack and an altar dedicated to these individuals, my own principles and my own goals
S P E E D B U M P
In this piece, I juxtapose natural spaces with the industrial motif and soundscapes. For example, I dressed someone up as a speed bump, placed them in the arboretum, and overlayed them with traffic sounds. What interested me about this relationship between traffic and nature was the way both scenarios tend to call one to slow down: in the case of nature for reflection and tranquility, in the case of traffic to get to work, your baby cousin won’t stop kicking your seat, and you need to pee.
The performer in this work sits on the ground, vulnerable to the elements (except not really safety precautions were taken) much like those who live between the bounds of the natural and industrial world: unhoused individuals. Growing up experiencing bouts of homelessness and coming out of poverty in my hometown of London Ontario the natural world was a fairly foreign landscape to me, strangely we never had the luxury to camp yet we spent a lot of time in tents eating beans. in some ways this is also an exploration of city materials in natural spaces much like the reverse that many unhoused individuals experience.
I really enjoyed my time at the Toronto Art Biannual! It seemed that the general themes of sound, migration and solace led to a strong relationship with indigenous artists globally. Work of this realm particularly intrigued me. Works such as Raven Chacon’s 3 video sound work, Elina Waage’s sound rocks coupled with string and especially Maria Hupfield’s sound suit work all particularly spoke to me. Whether it be the joyful tinkle of a Jingle Dress, the warm and soothing inhales of throat singing or the appreciation indigenous individuals place on the sounds of the natural world and our local environments, these works have the ability to capture universal experiences of the natural world, family and human connection with the specific experiences of indigenous ceremony, practices and celebration. Although pieces such as Neryeda Lopez’s work encapsulating the torture of colonization are important and relevant to todays socio-political climate, works centering Indigenous joy are something I find as a woman of Indigenous Latina Descent to be lacking appreciation and attention in the conversation of decolonization and Indigenous power and so it was nice to see an emphasis on varying narratives surrounding these experiences. By far my favourite piece that I found reminiscent of both of these themes was Angelica Serech’s large woven piece. The maps narrative migration from Guatemala across Central America to the US and Canada included both themes of the denigrative view privileged individuals may have of immigrants and the Latine Joy the artist found in their community. Stories of colonization told through unwoven lines, places of geography interpreted through flags of both literal and figurative placement, and the story of a resilient community with figures holding hands as a central focus illuminate a complex and nuanced narrative of immigrant migration in a way that is both heart wrenching, uplifting and honest.
M A I R A K A L M A N
Listening to the Maira Kalman podcast and flipping through the pages of her books I am filled with that great-art-I-wish-I-made-this feeling. Maira Kalman is an artist whose focus is so tender, so seeping with love for elements of the mundane every day while simultaneously being so rich and full of life’s many miracles. I am constantly stressed about school, the kind of career I’m going to have, and ultimately my art practice. Where art will take me and what it means to be an artist at this point in my career is a scary confusing thing. Every two weeks I convince myself it isn’t enough and that I’ll need a business degree or a master’s or to be reborn as a Kennedy or I won’t be happy. Maria Kalman is living my dream; as she puts it, it’s a lot more boring than I’d imagine! I guess what I mean to say is even as a renowned artist who spends her days at a studio doing something as glamorous as making art it is amazing and comforting to me that Kalman describes small rituals like going on daily walks with friends as her purpose in life. Listening to this podcast leaves me with the conclusion that I should start looking at trees more often! I don’t know what I’m doing with my life but there will always be trees, coffee, friends, newspapers, the little things. Trees don’t care if you’re a doctor or an artist and I just feel more secure knowing Maria Kalman probably wouldn’t either.
Calling back to this great purpose I chose this page in Woman Holding Things as my page to focus on:
we are all destined to fail, to be faced with betrayal, pain, and misery. For women and marginalized genders, this is almost a certainty. In this book women hold mundane objects, they also hold great feelings in many complex lights. This page encapsulates much of Kalman’s artistic aspiration as she puts it herself in the aforementioned podcast “I’m always looking for things that make people feel less sad.” Gratefulness as a theme is so important but when the world feels bleak sometimes you have to rely on other senses. In this image these two women are surrounded by exactly the kind of beauty Kalman describes. There are lush trees, turning mountains, and a beautiful sunny glow, yet the women are not looking but feeling the calming aura of one another’s embrace. In a beautiful world full of many wonderful and innumerable joys the greatest gift we take for granted every day is one another.
M U L T I P L E S I D E A S
-art gallery maps with plans to steal artworks written on it.
-The words “Use it or lose it” or maybe “Art is free” written beneath?????
-calling individuals to participate and/or consider the value of the art world. (Don’t know what you’ve got til’ its gone????)
-display in gallery???? On side of gallery??? Art spaces???
L O B S T E R L I V I N G R O O M
When thumbing through the pages of the vintage Architectural Digest copies I acquired for this project, I found myself struck with a range of nuanced feelings. On one hand, as an artist and general lover of beauty, I found myself taken with the fine fabrics, detailed patterns, inscriptions, and of course the beautiful colour stories of the magazine, on the other hand, I found myself kind of depressed. in our current political climate, it is hard to imagine owning a home nevertheless owning a home as oppulent as an Architectural Digest magazine home.
To some it might seem a stretch but to me I think lobsters are a great metaphor for humanity under capitalism. When David Foster Wallace wrote the popular essay “Consider the Lobster” his commentary on the consumption of lobsters wasn’t necessarily a call towards vegetarianism. It simply questioned the torture of living creatures. In this work I am trying to look at humanity and the way we our treated by our government and I guess I’m asking the same thing. In other words if the government is going to, like lobsters, slowly torture and punish us, why not just do it in a way that’s less painful? Why not let us suffer the blunders of capitalism and fascism in beautiful colour coordinated homes? (I’m joking to be clear but I’m sure you can read between the lines.)
A G G H E I S T
It is a popular belief that Vincenzo Peruggia’s initial intentions in stealing the Mona Lisa were to demonstrate his commitment to his home country of Italy. He intended to return the artwork to their shared birthplace as a protest of the Louvre’s Parisian ownership, even though it was purchased through ethical means. (“Crime Stories in the Historical Urban Landscape: Narrating the Theft of the ‘Mona Lisa.”) Although some believe he may have also completed the act in hopes of monetary gain, this would be a hard conclusion to come to today. When attempting an art heist in our contemporary economic landscape, the intentions of the criminals performing said heist are often not purely, if at all, motivated by money. This is largely because art pieces attempting to be sold on the black market today are said to only make about 10% of the original work’s value back, and this number only grows smaller compared to the piece’s level of fame. (“Arts and Craftiness: An Economic Analysis of Art Heists.” Journal of Cultural Economics) I similarly decided to plan a heist for this assignment not with the intention of monetary gain but to raise awareness of a portrait work I believe to be very spectacular in a similar vein to the Mona Lisa. Portrait of a Lady Holding Orange Blossoms (Jeremias Schultz, c. 1770, Art Gallery of Ontario.) is a singular portrait of a woman of color in regal clothing holding an orange blossom, as the title suggests. Due to the rarity of such subject matter during the times of Trans-Atlantic slavery, curators at The Art Gallery of Ontario have invested a generous amount of time into uncovering and analyzing the piece. Due to my admiration of the work and my belief that more people should know about and appreciate its history, in this work, I am threatening to steal the painting as a political and promotional stunt.
I chose to display this work in the Bathroom of Ed Video Media Arts Centre as well as in a gallery setting as portrayed in the documentation above. The work may be displayed in galleries standalone as the subversion of artwork calling to steal other artworks is humorous and meaningful enough on its own however I also like the idea of posting them in bathroom stalls it lends to a more approachable amusing reading of the work. (The bathroom is a funny place to think about art crime.)
It was wayyyyyyyyyyyyy too hard in add all the images individually. this has been so confusing. here are all the pages of my sketchbook that are relevant^^^ they apply to all assignments.
As someone who struggles with reading, I don’t own many books. As a matter of fact the only books I have in my room are notebooks, textbooks, and an encyclopedia of every character from Doctor Who. To create these bookstacks, I went home to where I grew up and used the large collection of books I bought but never read as a kid.
This is evident in the young adult and children’s titles and reflected in the light funny stories they tell when put together.
Text: HOW TO FEED YOURSELF / AMONG THEIVES
In my bookstacks, I wanted to create short funny stories or poems. I have always enjoyed short stories, especially absurd comedic ones.
When I stumbled across a cookbook titled How To Feed Yourself I knew I had to pair it with something unexpected. I had already paired Among Thieves with some other books, but I couldn’t pass up how perfectly it worked with the cookbook.
I really enjoy this book stack because it just sparks the imagination. I imagine traveling with a band of thieves like Robin Hood and his merry men and having to fight them off to eat.
Tezt: I SURVIVED / FOUR / Sisters
This bookstack pokes fun at what its like growing up with siblings. While I did not have four sisters, I had two and we all shared a room our entire lives. As much as it was fun sometimes and I loved my sisters, my story with them often felt more like one of survival. When creating this stack the colors worked out perfectly, with I Survived and Sisters being very similar shades of blue, bordering Four making a very balanced image. It was also very satisfying to see that all 3 books had whitish-grey lettering for the titles.
Text: THERE WAS AN OLD LADY / On the Moon
This book stack was the last one I created. I thought it’d be a fun challenge to create something using only young children’s books and their very direct titles. On The Moon was the first one I chose to use. The contrasting black and white caught my eye because all the other story books were bright colors. I also liked the possibilities of the title. I looked for the most absurd title that could be on the moon and landed on There was an old Lady.
The Image that comes to mind when reading this book stack is quite entertaining. I can just see the round old lady, Standing on the moon – I don’t know why, perhaps she’ll die!
Toronto Biennial of Art Field Trip
Passing (2022) Maria Ezcurra
Made with recovered and deconstructed shoes
Immersive space filled with bird silhouettes
The bright sky and clear shadows expanded the work beyond the suspended shoes
Symbolizes the resilience and vulnerability of migrants
I really enjoyed this work. Walking under all the shoes felt like I was under a sky filled with birds. The way they swayed and moved in the breeze brought life to them, and it almost seemed as though they were flying. Having the display outdoors was a great choice as a lot of the immersiveness would have been lost inside. The unknowns of weather and environment surrounding the work contribute to the idea of vulnerability and resilience. It was also just a gorgeous work to look at and explore.
Flatbread Library – Sameer Farooq
Library of flatbreads from various bakeries
Symbolizes Toronto’s diverse cultural landscape
Explores the relationship between the tandoor and community identity
The varieties of bread represent the diverse migration histories and experiences
First of all, This artwork made me so hungry. It is an amazing unity of diversity – combining so many different kinds of bread into one sculpture. Not only does it highlight the artistry of making bread, but it also explores how food can embody cultural narratives.
Ear Worm – Alex Da Corte
Reinterprets familiar symbols and elements from pop culture
Challenges the narratives surrounding iconic characters like Mister Rogers and Sleeping Beauty
Encourages viewers to reassess their cultural significance
Draws on themes of sexuality, violence, and childhood
Stepping off the elevator and into the dreamlike environment created by the artist was… indescribable. It was almost creepy with the warm lighting, dark walls, and slow music in the background. The large scale projections on giant cubes were very much like the nonsensical and strange narratives in dreams. The twists on the iconic scenes and stories led to a deep reflection of the stories that shaped our understanding of culture and self. It was a truly immersive and intimate exhibit that felt entirely surreal. I could have spent hours just sitting on the wonky bench watching all the projections on repeat – but not alone that would have been terrifying.
Environmental Video
Video Work in Progress / Ideas
Final Video
Speed Bump Video
This video was a social experiment, or performance piece meant to draw attention to nature and our surroundings. In everyday life, nature is so largely overlooked, that many people walk through the Arboretum without giving it much thought. The concept of this piece was to grab the attention of passerbyers, and kind of wake them up to their surroundings. A speed Bump itself is a symbol of slowing down and becoming more aware of your surroundings. Placing a speed bump (or a person dressed up as a speed bump) In the middle of major pathways of the Arboretum forces people to stop and think about where they are and what they are doing.
Artist Book
Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast…
If you’ve ever been sick, you have probably been told to follow the brat rule, where you are supposed to eat only bananas, rice, applesauce, or toast. That’s because these foods are easy to digest and keep down, and are high in fiber.
As someone with Crohn’s disease, I have lots of experience with the brat diet, and I wanted to share that in my artist book. Now the thing about my experience is that I get sick for long periods of time. I’ve been ill for the last 3 months, and because of that there’s not much I can eat that doesn’t put me in pain. bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast however are some things I can eat, but they’re so bland an repetitive, and I really miss all my favorite meals.
I wanted to create a book that conveys my personal experience with Crohn’s disease and the brat diet. Using my 19 favourite dinners I created a recipe book… but the twist is that every ingredient is replaced with what I CAN eat, bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. These recipes are horrifying and unappealing, but it show just how repetitive and almost gross it is to be stuck eating the same four things for 3 months straight.
*I will note that brat is not all you can eat, it’s just your best option, in fact, if you only eat these things you will get very sick from a lack of nutrients, which is why it’s more of a short-term thing. In my case, I just try to eat very simple foods like mashed potatoes or turkey, more focussing on avoiding the foods that are really bad rather than what is good.
Maira Kalman podcast from On Being with Krista Tippet.
One of the things Kalman says in the On Being pidcast with Krista Tippet that strikes me is when she says, “paying attention to the small details of life—like the way sunlight hits a coffee cup—is a way of appreciating the world.” This idea resonates with me because I find that focusing on the seemingly mundane opens a door to beauty and connection. As someone who enjoys creating art inspired by nature and daily life, this reminds me to slow down and appreciate the process, rather than rushing to complete a piece. Kalman’s perspective validates the act of noticing, which feels like a quiet form of rebellion against the chaos of modern life.Another quote that caught my attention was when she mentions how “walking is an essential part of her creative process—giving her the space to think, observe, and connect with her environment.” This struck me because walking has always felt like a creative reset for me. Whether it’s noticing the shapes of shadows or the colors of the evening sky, walking grounds me in the present. It’s also a reminder that creativity doesn’t only happen at the desk or in the studio—it can emerge from the rhythm of daily movement. Her process inspires me to incorporate more of this wandering approach into my creative practice, blending observation and spontaneity.
The Principles of Uncertainty (2007)
This image first caught my eye because of the Dodo Bird. I really like the message that is written on it. It starts by describing the inability to share all the thoughts in one’s head, and then tells a little story of the Dodo bird and how it went extinct. Thematically, the image explores ideas of impermanence or curiosity. Her work frequently conveys a sense of wonder and nostalgia, encouraging viewers to reflect on the beauty and fragility of life, this is done so with imagery of an extinct animal which really dies show just how fragile life can be.
Artist Multiple
StarGlasses
Understanding blindness can be very hard to do… and quite frankly, that sucks. It sucks for the people who are blind, and it sucks for the people around them.
In my experience, no matter how hard I try to explain what seeing is like for me, nobody can seem to understand. So much so that I wasnt diagnosed with a visual impairment until I was 18 years old. Even with a diagnosis, its still hard to explain – and I fully get that because I cant even wrap my head around it.
I tthought it’d be neat to create some artist multiples that could act as a window into my world. Not only do the glasses have blind and blurry spots, similar to my vision, but they also come with an Informational pamphlet about my condition. Im calling these glasses StarGlasses, which stems from the name of my condition, Stargardt’s Disease, but it also sounds cool.
Intro: “Are you someone who has a hard time thinking about the after life? Have people have asked you/ have had the thought about death in the back of your mind on what to do after the event comes?. Well look no further for I have some advertising posters/stickers (I’m making them, not done yet) that has a sense of dark humour to take away from the serious topic on which is being advertised! Now you can relax a bit and think of these instead!”
Statement: I Had the idea to do posters to begin with, just because of my time and how I thought these would be easier and yet still get my point across. I am happy to say that it worked out beautifully, and if I had to do this over again I don’t think I would change the advertising medium. I would however add more posters that have more options, this was a very fun project.
Why choose this specific way of showing my thoughts? I thought it would be funny to make posters that showed/informed people in a simple way about their other options for once they have passed. Showing them that you don’t just have to pick being buried at a graveyard, being cremated and or sending your body off to science. For the designs I didn’t want them to be so realistic eg. images photoshopped together to make a professional advertisement, the whole point was to inform people through a humorous way to prevent any upsetting thoughts. In the bottom left corner there is a recycling symbol to indicate that we recycle and how we could also be recycling ourselves. I also made it intentional that Death has a fun and mischievous, persona within the posters to give a sense of fun, peace and consistency. I, myself, have a hard time thinking about the after and what happens, and to prevent me from spiralling in this moment I won’t go into too much detail. However I love watching movies/shows that portray this topic, especially anything Tim Burton and his mind to the weird and concerning, in the end he was one of my inspirations when drawing these out. To cope with these thoughts I have, I find dark humour eases my mind, and wondered if that could be used to inform people about their options that have the same issue, or to just have a fun conversation.
Where would these go? Placing these posters outside was my main thought, they could be plastered up unto walls that have other advertisements, they could be stickers stuck onto poles that line the streets, they could also be made into postcards. If we’re looking for a very specific location/for a profit, all of these could be sold/shown at a crematorium or they could go in cafe’s with other posters on a cork board.
Overall, I like my final product.
NOTE: I am hoping that over the winter break I am able to get images of my posters and stickers out in the real world for the blog.
UPDATE: I forgot my posters in guelph. The post for the posters might be much later then what I intended…
Time Lapsed video of my process to making the posters:
app, Procreate
Total time, 10 Hours
My idea is to create dark humoured posters informing people about the many different options they have for after they are gone. I’ll be executing this through posters and having short but sweet text to go with the simple and cute drawn characters and scenery.
Book About A Book: Right To Left
Title: Right To Left
For this assignment I didn’t know what to do at first, I was never a great reader and would rarely pick up a novel. However manga was something I got into and became obsessed with, it was my way of reading without my brain’s constant interruption which made reading a novel very infuriating. With that I made my artist book about my reading problems throughout my childhood to now. In my book you will see at least half of my collection using the first volume on each page along side that you can see my personal stats/notes for each manga. On every other page I put a few sentences stringing together my childhood reading.
Another thing to add is my choice for the books structure and how it reads right to left. In a manga reading right to left is usually how you would read one so I thought to make my artist book translate a similar structure for mine. The barcode being on the front cover however was not planned but I couldn’t do anything to change it. The trade book layout was the most similar to a manga so I wanted to keep to that and not change to a photo book which wouldn’t have had the barcode at all. My design for the cover was to show myself from when I was 11 to now picking out another book. In the middle of the book I had the idea to line up my books to look as if they were on a shelf, another thing to point out for the shelved books is that I lined them in the same order I set for within my book.
Lastly the way I photographed my book was intentional, I wanted the quality to be ok and not top notch due to the time I started collecting manga. I was 11 and at that time I would take not great quality photos, plus I would have been taking photos with my phone and not a camera. I tried my best to get the best of both worlds but this is what I was left with. Now if I had my book display holder still, I would have used that to hold my book to take the photos with, in many of my old photographs of manga they would often be sitting in that display holder on my not so great shelf.
To sum up my artist statement, I made my book about my reading problems from when I was younger that turned to be undiagnosed ADHD. Reading manga was easier than a novel because of the images and the broken up text, plus I loved the art within the manga I collected. I soon started collecting more and more and with each punches my taste in stories change, you can see the timeline within my book with each page reading right to left and having a manga at every turn along with my own stats. Finally the way I photographed my book was intentional because of the time I started to collect manga. I enjoyed this assignment, it was fun going through my old manga and at one point I ended up reading some within my free time.
Also, shoutout to my younger brother for holding my book while I took photos.
video assignment: Overtaken
Title: Overtaken
When coming up with ideas for the assignment, we thought about growth and how within the arboretum you can find areas where nature has taken back what was once theirs. Bridging off that thought, we discussed about Italian statues and or historical garden decor, leading us to talk about dressing in grey as if we were statues and staying as still as we possibly could in different locations. When starting the filming process we thought about switching throughout each location until the end when we would both be in frame “under” one of the bridges with the camera shooting on the other side of the fence, representing that nature has been chosen by humanity as to where it can be and where it can’t be. With each new scene you can see the vines slowly growing more and more, on myself and Carys. This is to show how nature is slowly covering what has been built/placed in the area. Out in the world you can find small complexes that has vines growing up the side, abandoned houses that have begun to fall apart accompanied by the overgrown lawn and other plants/weeds etc…
Personally I love historical statues and garden decor, especially Italian. I don’t completely understand why but I just have a fixation on it. I find them beautiful and so highly detailed to the point where they really do look like someone that has just been painted. To add to that with the overgrowth of nature just brings a whole new perspective. One can look at it as someone that hasn’t taken care on their property. However, someone else can view this as a figure becoming one with its surroundings, becoming one with nature.
When it comes down to it, our video assignment is about nature and overgrowth on man made structures and how it can be beautiful and or a lesson. Showing different areas is intentional, it is to help broaden the idea in locations and how it is not just within your garden. Showing a person (us) being wrapped in vines was to indicate the statues/man made building’s/structures being taken by nature. Having us sit behind the fence in a ditch below a bridge was to show the most growth that we found and that the fence could act as a cage.
Final note (personally): I find that people should start to incorporate nature into the building process when under construction in the future to help with the all the damage humanity has done to this planet and to its other living creatures. We are not the only living beings here, and I find that many people in many life changing industries don’t remember that. It’s like being in the Barbie: Thumbelina 2009 movie that I watched way too many times as a kid. People need to start listening and actually hearing what the planet itself is trying to tell us, we are already on the edge. (Sorry for the rant)
When trying to think up the first stack, I knew I wanted it to have something involving mystery and relations to detective casefiles. I very much enjoy watching mystery themed content and thought it would be fun to start the assignment there. With this, I interpret this bookstack as: We are looking at art pieces and the colour’s, the beauty and emotions they contain. The piece then becomes lost and the trail runs cold, there is nothing anyone can do but close the file for now and list the art piece as a lost masterpiece. However you can also interpret this as an art piece being destroyed and no one can figure out who would do such a thing, what happened? This then lead me to edit the photo to give a basic colour tint and nothing to sever.
Stack #2: To find yourself/ accepting who you are
With the second stack I had to dive mainly into my roommates/close friends books, so I took a different approach to the theme and thought to base it off of her. This stack is trying to show someone on the path to find who they are and that they can accept themselves for what they look like and what their personality is to begin with. Taking someone that comes from a dark place and finally being able to put all the pieces in the right spot so they don’t have to second guess every last decision, that they are now in the light and can hold their head up high without worry. They are a Goddess. When editing the image I wanted a very warm feeling coming from it, so I added a warm layer over the other modifications.
Stack #3: The story of their end
When completing the last 2 bookstacks I knew I wanted this last one to be the classic “with you until the end” I thought to start this story as if it was a person reading a letter that they have just been handed after opening the door. As they have read through the letter and realize whatever point the other person/lover/friend, ect. They went to meet up and have one last day together before ending their story before anyone else could get hurt seeing as the letter was implying that they were something the world would be better without. This bookstack would have to be my favorite, however I’m not completely sure as to why. I wanted the image to give off a dull get still life like feeling, as if it came from a movie with the plot being some non realistic documentary. So instead of giving a sad vibe and putting a cool tone over the image, I set out to try and keep the colour, but just have it muted in some way.
For this assignment, I first began by pulling out every single book I own from my bookshelf. I carefully considered each book title and began to create stacks that might work together. I cringed at the variety of titles and series in my collection, because many of these are from when I was younger. Still, it was a fascinating way to reflect on the novels I enjoyed in the past compared to the books I’m reading today.
Stack 1 – “Bibliophile”
I got the inspiration to arrange all of my books with just the term “Bibliophilia” visible for my first book stack after I noticed it on one of my sticker books. A bibliophile means someone who loves books, and being a book lover myself, I am showcasing my passion with this ridiculously huge stack from my collection.
Stack 2 – “Catastrophe Unleashed”
I wanted to attempt to use the book titles to tell a story for the following two stacks. This one has the plot of “Ungifted” “Magicians” who unintentionally cause a fire, which results in a “City of Ashes.” If there was a book that came between “The Magicians” and “Catching Fire” that suggested something went wrong, I believe the message would be conveyed more effectively.
Stack 3 – “A Peaceful Life”
I particularly liked the title “Gardening in the Tropics” and wanted to use it in the story for my last stack. The narrative revolves around Emma, who leads a tranquil, picture-perfect existence just tending to her tropical garden and braiding sweetgrass. Although sweetgrass is unrelated to the tropics, just thinking about it evokes a calming feeling within me, which is the vibe I wanted this piece to portray.
TORONTO TRIP
Raven Chacon, For Zitkála-Šá, 2017-2020.
This is one of the artworks that stood out the most to me during our trip to 32 Lisgar St and Park. Although it’s simple in its presentation, the creativity of each piece of music draws you in. I don’t know much about music, but I felt a longing to play each score and hear the sounds they would create. I also enjoyed reading about how this artwork was dedicated to First Nations, Native American, and Mestiza composers and sound artists.
This is another work that caught my eye while at Lisgar Park. It is made from deconstructed shoes that, at first glance, resemble the silhouette of a bird. I felt at peace standing there and watching the “birds” hang calmly. I think the beautiful blue sky that day also added to the piece.
Maria Ezcurra, Passing, 2022.
This was the last installation I saw on our trip. Unfortunately, I didn’t get as much time to explore each video playing as I would have liked, but I was entranced by the short bit that I did see. The dark red light throughout the room added an eerie feeling to the strange performances happening on each screen.
Arboretum Video
Unseen Movements, 2024.
For this assignment, Ashleigh and I wanted to turn our attention to the small and typically unseen movements of insects and animals. We began by collecting various clips in the Arboretum and then sorting through each one. Once we had our selected videos, we studied each one and found different clothing and props that we could use to emulate the insects/animals. We tried our best to time our movements to the clips, which was probably our biggest struggle. This video can almost be seen as a love letter to the beauty of the lives of these little creatures. While most people will walk right by a bug without so much as a glance, we instead watched and studied each minuscule movement they made at that moment. For a short period of time, each animal and insect was appreciated.
The Process of Making a Book
For our book assignment, it took me a while to decide on a final idea. After rummaging through my book at home, I saw a “Future Diary” that I bought from a Scholastics Book Fair when I was 9 years old. Reading through it for the first time after almost 10 years was a wild experience that involved a lot of cringing.
For the book that I made, I decided to take the original diary and add comments on my past writing and new answers to the prompts from my 20-year-old perspective. The final book would be a look into me from the past and the present (or “future”).
During the process of making the book, I wrote on the actual diary using a pink pen, which I then scanned each page and uploaded to the editing software. After that, I printed out test pages to see what my spreads would look like. To make it more accurate, I then cut out the test pages and folded them to look more like my final book.
After a discussion with Diane, we decided it would be better to add more text to fill some of the pages with my present voice. To do this, I transferred my files to an iPad and wrote extra text on top. You can see the difference in text when reading through the book. All in all, I’m happy with the final book that was produced. If I want to show someone what I was like as a 9-year-old in comparison to the 20-year-old me, this is the perfect book to do so. In the future, perhaps I’ll add even more notes in the gaps to expand this portrait.
BRAINSTORMING FOR ARTIST MULTIPLES
I’ve had two ideas so far for this assignment. One of them is to use clear cases and add a sticker that says “Break Glass In Case of Emergency.” In each case, there will be a crumpled snack that one would typically find at the bottom of a school bag, such as a granola bar or some crushed goldfish crackers. I personally only eat these long-forgotten snacks when I am desperately hungry or in an emergency.
My other idea was to create stickers based on these “Avalanche the Architect” stickers placed all around the GTA.
ARTIST MULTIPLES
I decided to create stickers for my artist multiple based on the mysterious “Avalanche the Architect” posters that are spread all over the GTA. I decided to use the concept of obnoxious self-promotion that is seen with the Avalanche stickers to instead support Canadian Indigenous women artists. Christi Belcourt, Rebecca Belmore, KC Adams, and Daphne Odjig are the artists I selected. I chose these artists because I find their work to be especially inspiring.
Here are the posters that I based my stickers off of:
These stickers/posters are pasted in the most random places across different cities. Oftentimes, they will catch your attention and perhaps make you curious enough to look up what “Avalanche the Architect” is. Then you’ll probably roll your eyes when you see it’s just an unknown rapper from Mississauga. My hope is that people will see my new and improved stickers then look up the names of these artists and see the beautiful work they produce. I’ve included some of my favourite artworks from each artist, just in case this blog is what pops up if anyone were to search for the meaning of these stickers.
The three book stacks I created are titled Migrations, Possessive Desires, and Into Being. Through experimenting with different combinations of book titles, I created three distinct poems, each reflecting a unique theme.
Migrations:
The first stack, Migrations, is composed of Migrations and All the Birds in the Sky. The word “migrations” refers to movement and transition from one place to another. Paired with All the Birds in the Sky, the stack can be read literally, evoking the seasonal migrations of birds flying through the sky, or metaphorically, suggesting freedom, change, and new possibilities. Together, these titles express the idea of freedom in movement and future potential.
Possessive Desires:
The second stack, Possessive Desires, is made up of Possession, A Certain Hunger, and Never Let Me Go. Possession conveys notions of ownership and control, while A certain Hunger hints at deep desire and longing. Never Let Me Go implies an intense need to hold on tightly. Combined, these titles create a powerful image of obsessive love and desire, reflecting the darker, possessive side of relationships.
Into Being:
The final stack, Into Being, includes A Breath of Life, Body, and You Are Here.A Breath of Life symbolizes the act of coming into existence, while Body refers to the physical nature of existing. You Are Here suggests presence in a specific space. Together, these titles explore the experience of being–focusing on the connection between the physical body and the immediate, present moment.
The composition of the photographed book stacks was also carefully considered. All three stacks were photographed against a blank background to ensure that the focus remained solely on the books. The stacks were placed on a wooden table, evoking a homely, familiar environment. In each image, the books are stacked alongside others with their spines turned inward, drawing attention to the outward-facing spines of the selected titles.
This arrangement was intentional, creating the impression of a bookshelf or a bedside table. The idea was to make it seem as though the books were left in this order waiting to be discovered in an intimate unknown space. This setting aligns with the fact that the books were taken from my personal collection, and the deliberate composition was meant to convey this intimate environment.
In the final photograph, the books are stacked vertically, allowing the titles to be read fluidly. This decision was necessary because the last book’s title, You Are Here, was printed vertically, while the others were printed horizontally. Stacking the books vertically ensured that the titles could be read seamlessly.
Environmental Video Ideas
Initial Ideas:
Honey attracts ants etc (mask? bear?) flip in nature (the insects are eating the predator) fast track to the cycle of life. GLOVES AND SHOES no need to get stung by wasp
Blending into nature (bury body parts)
Teaching trees (call and answer)- artist easel with chalk board, pointer
I am a tree (wearing a sign that says it (around the neck) and standing in different parts of the forest- wearing an outfit that has nothing to do w anythings) mimic sounds and movements
Further Brain Storm After Presented Ideas to Class:
In camera visual effects: shoot film then reverse it.
Cuts in video,
Transformative power of nature
Person appears and disappears
People walking into a space, crouch then jump, blank shot of woods in back, drop back down w changed clothes
Someone hides behind a tree with a pile of leaves, runs behind a tree, quick cut, someone gathers leaves and throws them. Two separate shots: one running. One holding and throwing leaves.
Concept: To evoke the classical elements of nature- earth, fire, water, and air- by exploring their connection to the “transformative power of nature.” This project will emphasize how these elements shape and change both the natural world and human experience.
after further discussion, decided on doing basic in camera editing to give video a “DIY” feel
building off of our first story board (Air) to make a couple more videos in the same manner as discussed further in class
SHOOTING:
the tree stump (as photographed)
a large tree
an open field
the bridge/ body of water
However, the voice of locations may need to be adjusted depending on how the video shoot unfolds or if challenges arise with a selected site. It is essential to remain flexible and responsive during filming, as only by being present in the moment can determine if a particular location is suitable or not.
MOCA/Biennial of Art Write Up
Although I could not attend the class trip on the scheduled date, I made a point to visit the Museum Of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and the Toronto Biennial of Art on my own time. Even though I live in Toronto, this was my first time visiting MOCA. The museum’s three levels were impressive, but I was especially fascinated by the third floor, which featured work of artist Tishan Hsu. His exhibit, Interface Remix, explores the intersection of technology– such as artificial intelligence– and the human body, creating art that feels unsettling to look at. One piece that particularly caught my attention was on the far left wall, centered in the space. The canvas appeared almost as though it was wrapped in skin, with strange, circular, two-dimensional mounds that seemed to protrude from the surface in uniform rows, resembling skin tags. Some areas of the image on the canvas were distorted, while others were replaced by features resembling human arms, mouths, and other mysterious orifices. The neutral and cohesive colour palette enhanced the eerie effect, while the distortions made the piece appear as though it were alive, adding to its dynamic and unsettling quality.
At the Toronto Biennial of Art on Lisgar Street, two pieces stood out to me. The first was a video work titled Filiacion abono (Dung kinship) by Naomi Rincon Gallardo. I was struck by the creative use of materials in the costumes, particularly a snake-like character whose headpiece was made from scraps of metal twisted into a coiled form. The DIY quality of the filming and editing reminded me of making videos as a child, adding a nostalgic charm to the piece. The second piece was Threatened (Birds in Canada) by Maria Ezcurra, a striking drawing and painting installation that took up all four walls of the room it was exhibited in. The walls were completely covered with images of Canadian bird species at risk of extinction. The beauty of the artist’s rendering of the birds, juxtaposed with their endangered status, made a powerful statement about the environmental threats they face due to human activity.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring both exhibitions, and I look forward to returning for future shows!
ENVIRONMENTAL VIDEO: ELEMENTS
The video art piece Elements explores the classical elements of nature– earth, fire, water, and air– through colour coordinated outfits: blue for water, red for fire, white for air, and black/grey for earth. This project delves into the “transformative power of nature” highlighting how these representations of these classical elements evoke their own individual essence and their influence on both the natural world and human experience.
Each video in the series corresponds to a specific element. For example, the first video represents fire, depicted through the repeated action of a kneeling figure (myself) attempting to ignite a tree stump by rubbing a stick between my hands to create friction. My ginger hair, resembling flames, is juxtaposed against the stark colours of the autumn background. I wear a red and orange gingham dress, further emphasizing the fire element, while my hair obscures my face, adding an element of mystery. The scene is framed in a medium shot, and the video loops continuously, reinforcing the persistence and intensity of the action. This repetition demonstrates the transformative power of nature, as it reflects the relentless and dynamic forces that fire symbolizes– its ability to both create and destroy. Through this, the video captures the cyclical, untamed essence of natural forces and their impact on the world.
The second video represents earth and is conveyed through the repeated action of two figures (myself and Kat) jumping out of the camera’s frame, only to transform into rocks as we “land.” The video is reversed and looped, creating a continuous cycle where we shift from rocks to humans and back again. Both of us wear black, symbolizing the dark, rich tones of soil, further connecting us to the element. The scene is framed as a close shot, focusing solely on our shins and feet, emphasizing the grounding nature of earth. Similar to the first video, the framing in this obscures the identities of the two figures, enhancing the sense of mystery around who they are. This deliberate choice adds to the enigmatic quality of the work, allowing the focus to remain on the transformation itself rather than on the individuals involved. This video demonstrates the transformative power of nature by illustrating the constant process of regeneration and decay that defines earth’s life cycle. It emphasizes the deep connection between living beings and the earth, showing how we emerge from it and eventually return to it in an endless, transformative loop.
The third video represents water and is depicted through the figure (myself) scooping water from a fountain and pouring it over my head, standing as if integrated with the fountain’s sprayers. This gesture plays on a continuous loop and is filmed in two long shots: one capturing the act of scooping and the other of pouring water on my head. The use of long shots ensures that the figure’s identity remains secondary, allowing the action to take center stage. This video demonstrates the transformative power of nature by symbolizing water’s constant flow and renewal– its ability to both cleanse and change, mirroring the cyclical and transformative processes of nature itself.
The final video represents air, depicted through a figure (myself) running behind a tree and transforming into a flurry of leaves. The leaves then reverse back behind the tree, and the figure reappears, walking away. This sequence is looped continuously, with the figure dressed in white to emphasize the connection to air. The scene is framed in a long shot, similar to the second video, which helps conceal the figure’s identity and enhances the ethereal quality of the transformation. This video demonstrates the transformative power of nature by capturing the elusive, ever-changing nature of air– its ability to shift forms and move freely.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this project. It was exciting to face challenges in the filming environment, as they pushed me and my group member (Kat) to think creatively and find effective solutions. We explored different filming locations and adapted our original concepts to enhance the final outcome. Working in a real outdoor setting provided a valuable experience, especially in navigating the unpredictability of weather and lighting. These conditions were great practice for adjusting lighting on the fly, helping me develop my skills further. This experience has sparked my enthusiasm for video art, and I would definitely love to pursue more video art projects in the future!
Book Project Ideas
Sex with out being pornographic (convey feelings of intimacy with out inherent)
Hand passing blunt to lips of another person (one full page)
Grapefruit cut in half and place in front of private area
Bare knees side by side
Rumpled bed covers and sheets
Peeling fruit
Feeding a person
A light in a window
A personal letter
Intimacy and loneliness
Personal notes and letters sent back and forth (redacted elements of letters, sent back and forth)
Art sent back and forth
Books bought
Poetry
Text messages
Photos
Tenderness and meat (ground beef acting as “LIFE STRING” then last page photo of meat and revealed note
Organisms (classification naming etc) in using photos in Bio class
Write a poem using different structures everyday (like a journal) – think of the journals of sylvia plath
Food and people
Personal notes and letters sent back and forth
Fairy books
Pussy (Pocket edition)
sexual/phallic looking images
play on the word “pocket pussy”
Small squares one image per page
Observation guideline
handeling instructions
participation study (Mailing address) through written observations
definition
Play with colour or black and white photographs
Maira Kalman:
After listening to the On Being podcast episode titled “Daily Things to Fall in Love With,” one of the points made by artist Maira Kalman that particularly resonated with me was her reflection on the human capacity to hold contradictory thoughts and emotions. Kalman highlights that these conflicting responses do not need to be isolated or resolved, but rather can exist as an inherent part of a person. This idea engaged me because it emphasizes that the human experience does not have to conform to the structured expectations of daily life. It is okay for our emotions and thoughts to be in conflict with one another; this is part of what makes us human. The acceptance of such contradictions, without the need to resolve them, is a powerful acknowledgement of the complexity of individual experience.
Another point that Kalman makes, which I found equally compelling, is her belief that museums– rather than libraries– offer one of the most profound spaces for meditation. She explains that in a museum, the experience is primarily visual, allowing for contemplation through observation rather than the active process of reading or sensory overload. A museum offers an environment where quiet reflection is possible, and where one can engage with art on a deeper level. I completely agree with this perspective, as it aligns with my own experiences. The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), for instance, is my favourite place for quiet reflection. There, I can fully immerse myself in the artwork without the pressure of conversation, allowing me to connect with the pieces on a deeper, more personal level.
The image above is part of artist Maira Kalman’s book Still Life With Remorse. The painting immediately caught my attention due to her use of vibrant, warm colours, particularly red, which is my fabourite colour. I also admire the simplicity of the still life and the sense that it was created quickly. However, it was the accompanying text, Cleopatra and Cicero, that truly deepened my appreciation for the piece. The text presents a simplified, yet exaggerated, story of Cicero’s interaction with Cleopatra, highlighting the absurdity of his death over a trivial matter— a borrowed book. I found this commentary on the destructive and cruel nature of historical events, especially those sparked by such minor conflicts, both compelling and thought-provoking.
Artist Multiple Ideas:
Hearing Aid Earplugs
doesn’t work
very odd objects not resembling hearing aid
blocks the noise
Rubik’s cube personalized in some way?
Underwear
pin/postcard
Funny sexual health tips/real sexual health tips
How to wear/ when to wear
ironic laundry instructions?: do not put in dryer
Intimate Packaging: small envelopes, mimics delicate care for personal items
New Take on Nutrition Facts tables:
discuss effects of malnutrition
includes photos of organs affected by malnutrition
ingredients= list that improve and support healthy function
List of sources used for research:
Bouquegneau, A., Dubois , B. E., Krzesinski, J.-M., & Delanaye, P. (2012). Anorexia Nervosa and the Kidney. American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 60(2), 299–307. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ajkd.2012.03.019
Cleary BS, Gaudiani JL, Mehler PS. Interpreting the complete blood count in anorexia nervosa. Eat Disord. 2010 Mar-Apr;18(2):132-9. doi: 10.1080/10640260903585540. PMID: 20390616.
James, Dotti C. PhD, RN. Eating Disorders, Fertility, and Pregnancy: Relationships and Complications. The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing 15(2):p 36-48, September 2001.
Misra, M., & Klibanski, A. (2014). Anorexia nervosa and Bone. Journal of Endocrinology, 221(3), 163–176. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1530/JOE-14-0039
Schocken DD, Holloway JD, Powers PS. Weight Loss and the Heart: Effects of Anorexia Nervosa and Starvation. Arch Intern Med. 1989;149(4):877–881. doi:10.1001/archinte.1989.00390040085017
Weterle- Smolińska, K., Banasiuk, M., Dziekiewicz, M., Ciastoń, M., Jagielska, G., & Banaszkiewicz, A. (2015). Gastrointestinal motility disorders in patients with anorexia nervosa – a review of the literature. Psychiatria Polska, 49(4), 721–729. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.12740/PP/35482
Zipfel, S., Giel, K. E., Bulik, C. M., Hay, P., & Schmidt, U. (2015). Anorexia nervosa: Aetiology, assessment, and treatment. The Lancet Psychiatry, 2(12), 1099–1111. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2215-0366(15)00356-9
Pins/postcards of pomegranates:
symbol of fertility
“I felt like a seed in a pomegranate. Some say that the pomegranate was the real apple of Eve, fruit of the womb, I would eat my way into perdition to taste you.”
“A symbol of resurrection and life everlasting in Christian art, the pomegranate is often found in devotional statues and paintings of the Virgin and Child. In medieval representations the pomegranate tree, a fertility symbol, is associated with the end of a unicorn hunt.”
” By eating a few pomegranate seeds, Persephone tied herself to Hades—the pomegranate being a symbol of the indissolubility of marriage.”
For my artist multiple I created a series of stickers that transform everyday nutrition facts labels into stark, visceral commentaries on the effects of malnutrition, specifically targeting the experience of anorexia. The project borrows the aesthetic of cigarette packaging warnings, adopting the visual language to highlight the severe consequences of neglecting essential nourishment. By featuring these visuals on everyday consumer goods, this piece seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of malnutrition and encourage conversations about the importance of balanced eating habits.
Each sicker reflects the familiar black-and-white layout of traditional nutrition labels but with a critical twist. Instead of listing standard categories, such as “Calories,” these labels focus on how malnutrition impacts specific organs and functions; heart, liver, bones, fertility, blood, and digestion. The “Daily Values” section is replaced with the specific consequences of malnutrition in these areas. Additionally, the “Ingredients” section is reimagined to list nutrients and foods that support the health of the targeted organ or function, offering a proactive guide to prevention. Each label also features a stark visual representation of the affected organ or function which parallels the shock tactic used in anti-smoking campaigns to reinforce the message.
This art piece was deeply inspired by my sister’s personal struggle with anorexia. The idea emerged after she shared how she often cuts out nutrition facts labels from food packaging to avoid stressing over calorie counts– a common behaviour among individuals with eating disorders. This conversation sparked the concept of creating an art piece that is not only practical but also creatively designed as an artist’s multiple. To develop the idea further, I consulted both my sister and my therapist to ensure the design and format of these “nutrition labels” would be impactful, respectful, and informative. They both suggested focusing on how malnutrition affects specific organs, as tangible, realistic imagery of the body would create a stronger connection with viewers. This approach provides a visual connection, as opposed to addressing less tangible aspects such as mental health, which can be harder to depict. To ground this project in accuracy, I conducted research on the organs and functions most affected by malnutrition, how these effects manifest, and which nutrients are essential to prevent or mitigate these consequences. This process allowed me to create work that is not only meaningful on a personal level but also informative and engaging for a broader audience.
List of sources used for research:
Bouquegneau, A., Dubois , B. E., Krzesinski, J.-M., & Delanaye, P. (2012). Anorexia Nervosa and the Kidney. American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 60(2), 299–307. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ajkd.2012.03.019
Cleary BS, Gaudiani JL, Mehler PS. Interpreting the complete blood count in anorexia nervosa. Eat Disord. 2010 Mar-Apr;18(2):132-9. doi: 10.1080/10640260903585540. PMID: 20390616.
James, Dotti C. PhD, RN. Eating Disorders, Fertility, and Pregnancy: Relationships and Complications. The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing 15(2):p 36-48, September 2001.
Misra, M., & Klibanski, A. (2014). Anorexia nervosa and Bone. Journal of Endocrinology, 221(3), 163–176. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1530/JOE-14-0039
Schocken DD, Holloway JD, Powers PS. Weight Loss and the Heart: Effects of Anorexia Nervosa and Starvation. Arch Intern Med. 1989;149(4):877–881. doi:10.1001/archinte.1989.00390040085017
Weterle- Smolińska, K., Banasiuk, M., Dziekiewicz, M., Ciastoń, M., Jagielska, G., & Banaszkiewicz, A. (2015). Gastrointestinal motility disorders in patients with anorexia nervosa – a review of the literature. Psychiatria Polska, 49(4), 721–729. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.12740/PP/35482
Zipfel, S., Giel, K. E., Bulik, C. M., Hay, P., & Schmidt, U. (2015). Anorexia nervosa: Aetiology, assessment, and treatment. The Lancet Psychiatry, 2(12), 1099–1111. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2215-0366(15)00356-9
Pussy (Pocket Edition) is an artist book that humorously mimics the format of a serious scientific study, with its focus on the botanical forms of the pussy willow. The title plays on the dual meanings of the word “pussy,” referencing both the pussy willow plant and alluding to a vagina, as well as a “pussy pocket,” a type of sex toy, creating a playful contrast between botanical study and sexual humor. The book features a series of small, square black-and-white images, each focusing on close-ups of a selected area of pussy willows, highlighting their soft, phallic-like shapes. The images and text invite the viewer to engage with the natural beauty of the plant while acknowledging its more humorous, sexual undertones. The book combines dry, scientific language with visual humor, creating an academic feel while also acknowledging the playful absurdity of its subject. The cover amplifies this theme with a large, partially obscured image of a pussy willow, which humorously resembles a magnified view of a vagina. Inside, the book mimics the tone of a scholarly manual, complete with guidelines and instructions that encourage readers to engage with the images not just through observation, but also through emotional response. Each page provides space for field notes, inviting reflection on the form, texture, and emotional reactions to the Salix species presented, further blurring the lines between serious botanical study and playful, intimate exploration.
