2010 in Review
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The year passed quickly, but in retrospect I achieved a lot more than I thought I had. I'll skip by the first few months, but the year started with my first series of Helpmeat drawings receiving a great response, including a write up in the summer issue of NY Arts Mag, featuring a collaborative text between Sarah Gonek and myself.
Next up in late July/early August, Nik Sheehan invited me to be his guest at the 10th Era New Horizons Film Festival in Wrocław, Poland. Two weeks of basically just watching great films, partying, and meeting lots of amazing new people! Thank you so much to Nik for making this wonderful experience possible! Photo below by Serge Bidon, taken on the rooftop of the Monopol Hotel.
While I was away Katherine held down the fort and put up the Sketchy Retro art show at the Gladstone Hotel. Presented in conjunction with the 2010 Toronto Burlesque Festival. Thank you so much to Katherine for getting it put up, and special thanks to Brynne, J Bone, Kimberley, Luca & Carrie for helping with the hanging & delivery!
The next major project was Derek Mainella's 'Bitch Slap' curatorial show. My involvement here was simply to help with the hanging and sit the gallery when needed, and takedown. The show itself featured works by 28 female artists and was only up for a weekend, but still saw a huge crowd. Don't know what the numbers were, but I'd guess that over 1000 people came through the doors over the few days. Aside from the numbers, it was just a really solid show. (photo below taken from here).
In December Katherine and I made a road trip to Montreal, Hawkesbury and Ottawa with our good friends Bogdan Luca and Amanda Nedham. It was magical. We got snowed in and had to spend the night in Hawkesbury. This is the view behind my parents' place, where I spent my youth.
Finally, Katherine, Brynne and I decided to end Dr Sketchy's Toronto. Katherine and I started the project in the fall of 2006, right before our trip to Europe, during which we married in Belgrade. Sketchy's Toronto was possible thanks to some money left to me by my grandmother - I think she would have definitely found the whole venture entertaining, and would have recognized its value. It has been incredibly valuable to me. Through our 4 years and over 80 events we managed to create a vibrant and diverse community, but the time came to either dedicate myself further to it, or move on. We ended it on a high note creatively, but also on a very sad note - One of our biggest supporters, and co-founder & former co-owner of the Cameron House Paul Sannella passed away suddenly on Sunday, December 12, 2010. Our final session was scheduled for the day that his service was held, and the party was of course hosted by the Cameron House.
It was a very difficult night, to say the least.
Ashes to ashes.
In conclusion for Sketchy's, I would like to sincerely thank everyone who came out to make the event as great as it was. I would like to thank Molly Crabapple for starting this world-wide phenomena, and for all of her support. I would like to thank Brynne Kennedy for always picking up any slack, and for the thousands and thousands of great photos she took. I would like to thank everyone who ever helped creatively with any sessions, and those who volunteered their time and resources to drive props or art across the city. And of course, I'd like to thank Katherine Piro, without whom this wouldn't have even happened. There were times when the amount of work that went in to a session could never be recovered financially, but that was never the point of it. Our sessions were always profitable, and I am proud of every success and mistake we had. It's scary going out and starting something from scratch, but I followed my instinct and I feel, now that all is said and done, that it was absolutely worth it.
It was a very difficult night, to say the least.
Ashes to ashes.
In conclusion for Sketchy's, I would like to sincerely thank everyone who came out to make the event as great as it was. I would like to thank Molly Crabapple for starting this world-wide phenomena, and for all of her support. I would like to thank Brynne Kennedy for always picking up any slack, and for the thousands and thousands of great photos she took. I would like to thank everyone who ever helped creatively with any sessions, and those who volunteered their time and resources to drive props or art across the city. And of course, I'd like to thank Katherine Piro, without whom this wouldn't have even happened. There were times when the amount of work that went in to a session could never be recovered financially, but that was never the point of it. Our sessions were always profitable, and I am proud of every success and mistake we had. It's scary going out and starting something from scratch, but I followed my instinct and I feel, now that all is said and done, that it was absolutely worth it.
above: Paul Sannella & Katherine on our Twin Peaks session.
Below: Katherine and I in New York for SketchyCon
Below: Katherine and I in New York for SketchyCon
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Goodbye, MMX.
Hello, MMXI.
1 comments:
You guys were seriously one of the most legendary branches ever. Gonna miss you!
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