Rounding out my last days at the Feminist Art Gallery. It's been so great to be here in Parkdale. I love living around the corner from lesbians. I love running into lesbians when I'm taking out the trash in my nightgown or running to the corner store for a can of beans.
As one does.
Lesbians always wave hello. Sometimes they ask you over for cake.
Awesome.
One of my fav benefits of living at FAG is being surrounded by incredible art. Here's a taste of what I get to look at every day.
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I've also been back to the island a few times since I last posted. Yesterday we visited the Kids Can Press Little Sprouts Garden. Which I would highly recommend. Most especially if you are, as I am, a fan of statues of bunnies.
Who isn't a fan of statues of bunnies, by the way?
A few weeks ago I spent a week teaching at the University of Toronto Continuing Studies Summer Writing School. I had the opportunity to teach Creating Graphic Novels with the amazing Willow Dawson. We had 9 very funny, very eager students. I had a blast. Every year I learn a little bit more and we change the course a little bit. This year we had students writing eulogies and create comics that documented their protagonists last moments of life. Definitely an interesting exercise and one I'll use again.
Sans cable, I'm all about the movies these days.
Last week we saw
I was pretty much sold on this from the moment I saw the preview. I like documentaries. I like documentaries about art. I like documentaries that profile women in the arts (see also: Public Speaking re Fran Lebowitz).
The artist is present is about Marina's three month performance/showcase at the MOMA, during which, for every second that the gallery was open, she sat in a chair accross from anyone who would sit with her, and shared eye contact.
Really an interesting movie about what art is about, message and concept outside of aesthetic. Also an interesting portrait of art as something you give into as an artist, art as a life and a lifestyle. As a way of being and a way of being present.
Made me think a little bit about Every Little Step - a documentary about the reproduction of A Chorus Line in NYC. I liked the way the documentary wove together the inspiration behind A Chorus Line, constructed from interviews with performers about their lives, with the lives of a next generation of auditioning performers.
I like that weaving sort of story-telling.
Again, who doesn't?
On the other side of things, yesterday, because it seems pretty much requisite, we saw the latest Batman movie.
I couldn't tell you exactly what this movie was about, aside from punching.
Lots and lots of punching.
I mean, you know, I get it. Punching is way more interesting to film than shooting when it comes to conflict between two people. Punching is body blows and a visceral experience you get to feel with the character.
That said. I think these movies create a startlingly inaccurate vision of what it means to get punched. Especially in the face.
One thing I find kind of fascinating is how much of these movies is about putting their protagonists in the very worst place possible, in order to orchestrate a heroic rise. Batman, especially, has to go through some major shit in order to save the day. And it's always mental/emotional + physical shit.
I think in the next movie they'll have to cut off both his legs, remove his lungs, and... have him get dumped by his prom date.
THEN he'll have to rally and save Gotham.
From the bottom of a giant hampster cage.
Where he's being held captive by... bunnies!
But enough about Batman.
Next month I'll be all over the place promoting my new book (you) set me on fire. I'll be at Word on the Street and the Eden Mills Writers Festival.
Hope to see you there.
In the meantime, remember.
Life is a Ferris wheel. Ferris wheels are awesome.
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| Photo effects thanks to Popsicolor |