Anyways, here are my top 10 fun, awe-inspiring arty things from 2007 (in no particular order):
1. Liss Platt, Doug Paisley and Shary Boyle at Pleasure Dome
I loved all three of these artists, but it was my first time seeing Shary Boyle live so it's her mesmerizing projections that I think of first when I think back on all my art dates from last year. My favourite part was her traveling ghost figure that swept through the room.
2. Rightfully Yours, at the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery
Not only was the work fantastic, but the panel discussion blew my mind and inspired me to want to do more public programming for the first time in ages.
3. Dead! Dead! Dead! at The Ydessa Hendeles Art Foundation
I saw Predators and Prey for the first time this year and liked it even more than Dead! Dead! Dead! (especially the amazing mini catalogue that references Sex and the City, BDSM, Nazism and The Wizard of Oz all in one entry), but it technically opened in 2006 so I don't think it's eligible. The Punch and Judy Survivors were still incredible, as were Joan Crawford's charm bracelets and Marcel Dzama's beautiful but creepy pendants.
4. Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno's Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait and BGL's The Discourse of Elements at the National Gallery
I had to be physically removed from the Zidane screening room, I was so engrossed in the film and BGL's interactive garage installation at the NGC won me over more than their solo show at Diaz this year.
5. Projections at the Justina M. Barnicke gallery
Another example of an exhibition I liked with programming I liked even more. The Projections Performance Night/End of Year Party at the Hart House featuring Stephanie Comilang, Jeremy Bailey & Zeesy Powers was magical.
6. David Altmejd: Metamorphosis at Oakville Galleries
I'm sure it wasn't nearly as incredible as his Venice Biennale installation, but his messy, decadent, bejeweled werewolves saved my winter shifts out at Oakville. Plus, kids who came in to see his work loved it (though they had questions about those "black playdough shapes")
7. Fastwürms: DONKY/NINJA/WITCH at the agYU
This one seems obvious. I think I saw it at least four times and it sucked me in every time. I also loved the postcards and buttons with their cats on it that were available at the show. I'm interested to see how Vancouverites will react to it when it goes to the CAG later this month.
8. SAW's Video Arcade Fundraiser
Again, an event rather than an exhibition. I missed Nuit Blanche because I was in Ottawa visiting friends who were in town, but instead we got to go to the coolest arts fundraiser I've ever participated in. The gallery was taken over by video game systems of every kind - old arcade games, every version of Nintendo imaginable, Atari and Guitar Hero on a huge screen out in the courtyard out front. The most fun I had all fall.
9. Kristan Horton's Dr. Strangelove Dr. Strangelove at the Contemporary Art Gallery in Vancouver
I saw this show at the agYU first, but it somehow looked better and made more sense in the CAG space when I was home in the summer.
10. Steph Comilang and Jamie Shannon's video for Final Fantasy's "This Lamb Sells Condos"
Not an exhibition at all, but one of my favourite videos. I can't listen to this song without imagining the little floppy-legged lamb climbing the CN Tower.
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Hey Gabby,
ReplyDeleteGood choices overall. Like you, I thought Tej's show at the JMB was a total banger, but unlike you, I didn't get to see the panel talk. Sniff. I did, however, show up on the right day to get a doctor's note, which I am going to use any time anyone asks me about my MRP.
How come no worst of 2007? Was there too much to choose from? Hee hee. I guess we can just stick with artfag's eviscerating comments about the MOCCA's Love/Hate show.
Interesting about the CAG KH show being a better fit. I too am curious about the Worms show in Vancouver. Something tells me there's less of a Queer Punk support group for that kind of work in Van, but we'll see. Also interesting that Christina Ritchie et al. are so hot for the AGYU right now.
If I were to add to your selections, I'd probably include the Power Plant's Auto Emotion show, which was a summer blockbuster I could get behind. Staying with the Power Plant, I think we can squeeze Steven Shearer in there because it did open in December. Public programming-wise, I always feel like PP is quantity over quality, but they do get it right sometimes. The Heavy Metal panel discussion was nearly there, but too much dead weight on the panel.
I would like to just put it out there that my current favourite gallerist is John Goodwin (Goodwater). Since opening, he has had shows for Richard Prince, Nestor Kruger, Kim Adams, and recently Mark Dion, among others. On that subject, did you go to the Dion talk last night? May be a contender for best of 2008. Oh, and best artist-run was Centre for Culture and Leisure, if only because they were ONLY open during 2007.
Now, for a truly awesome 2008 I propose to get out of town as much as possible. Cheap airfares await!
Thanks, Nick. I hadn't thought of a worst of 2007 list but am now so tempted. Cait keeps threatening to write a piece about what it's like to date an art snob and recount every bad show or awkward encounter she's been privy to.
ReplyDeleteAuto Emotion was on the list, then off, then on, etc. I couldn't decide. I have really negative associations with one of the main artists in the show, but only because I know them as a person. (Un)fortunately, their work is great but they are a total asshole and for some reason I can't separate those two things. And I really liked Steven Shearer but didn't see it until 2008.
I missed the Dion talk and am now kicking myself. They were pushing it hard at work and I think that also lead to negative associations of a different sort. Maybe one day he'll be back.
I'm definitely into getting out of town this year. Hopefully that grant money will come through so I can spend some of the summer out of TO.