Friday, September 16, 2011

How Fabricate Came to Be

A few months back, I caught the last discussion of Ontario Craft Council's CraftTalks series: Shifting Directions. Sitting on the panel were Melanie Egan (Head of Craft Department at Harbourfront Centre), Dorie Millerson (Chair of the OCADU Material Art & Design program), and Koen Vanderstukken (Head of Glass Studio at Sheridan). Jen Anisef of Toronto Craft Alert was moderating, who was really the reason I came.

Among many other topics pertinent to the contemporary craft practice, the panel discussed the blurring lines between art, craft and design.* This part resonated with me - people are always asking what Freedom is: a store? A gallery? An event space? A collective? A cooperative? What's the difference? Not to mention that most of our consignors wear other hats too. They dabble in so many interesting things which we believe contribute greatly to the variety of original items they create. I felt like this needed to be explored some more.

Sitting next to me at the lecture was printmaker Jen Kneulman of Freshly Printed. Right afterwards, I had a meeting with designer Caterina Mazzotta of Kali Clothing. Both became collaborators in this exhibition.

I had a series of "eureka" moments that night and the project organically came to be. I have to say, the excitement has not stopped since! It's been such a pleasure, an adventure full of surprises. I am very excited to celebrate this journey with Meredith Keith, the artists, and the rest of the Freedom crew at the opening reception tonight at Meredith Keith Gallery. Please join us! We would love to share this moment and hear what you think.

Marsya

Caterina Mazzotta installing the piece she collaborated on with Amanda Schoppel

FABRICATE
Sept 8th - Oct 1st
Opening Reception:
   Friday, September 16th at 6 - 10 pm
   Meredith Keith Gallery
   1695 Dundas Street West


* The discussion is available on iTunes (itunesu.ocad.ca), select Guest Users Login and select the category Visiting Experts. Also check out Jen's report on the emerging modes of craft practice for the Ontario Arts Council.