SUMMER 2010 IN VAN CITY | The Cheaper Show No. 9

Just in time for fall, our perfectly logical posting strategy has had us step back into our supa’stylin extremely home crafted time machine, to bring you Skewed’s visit at the surreal Cheaper Show No.9.

Cheaper took place this past June (25th to be exact) and tore Vancouver a new one. Two hundred artists exhibited over four hundred pieces of work, every single one sold for two hundred bucks a pop. Since the show is only six hours long, hungry hungry art collectors, young things and other human looking types lined up and down the streets of G-town central to ensure having a go at purchasing that piece they’ve been dreaming about. Beside our flickr coverage of the show and its preview day, which the organizers were so lovely to let us be a part of, here are some wise words from the brain and the brawn responsible for masterminding this giant effort, alongside their small army of volunteers. Their names: (the) Graeme Berglund and Steve Rio.  If you are uninspired after reading this, we can no longer help, nor prescribe electroshock therapy on polka-dotted post-its. Word up, word out.

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VANCOUVER FILM RACING | All Night, Everyday

What do you get when you have 14 UBC Film undergrads, one UBC Film grad student, one UBC Film alum and two actors participating in Vancouver’s 24-hour Film Racing Tour?

Well, you get a three minute and nine second short called All Night, Everyday. When first approached (through a Facebook group invite, yes, that’s how Hollywood’s casting their blockbusters now) to participate in this competition, I was a little hesitant.  I’ve heard stories about the race from working professionals in the industry who have done it in the past, and they all say it’s crazy and chaotic.  But when do I ever listen to what other people say?

After all was said and done, I was happy to do it and I learned a lot.  I ended up bonding with a great (and gigantic 16-person) crew.  Despite being tired and probably being sick of me after spending 24-hours in a confined space*, a few of the crew members answered some questions to give people a better idea of what goes on behind the scenes during this madness.

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INTERVIEW | Takashi Hara

ARTAK1 – ‘Sneakerart’ is Takashi Hara’s first solo exhibit. Currently living in Regina, Saskatchewan, Hara is working under the mentorship of Victor Cicansky. His first exhibit is a culmination of his passion for street life, influenced by graffiti and calligraphy. Check out the photos and interview below…

M: I know you love sneakers, so it only makes sense that you start creating sneaker art, but what finally pushed you to go into making ceramic sneakers?
Tak: At first, some people asked me why I buy shoes for display. They would say that it was wrong to buy shoes and not wear them.  Actually, I wear most of my shoes even if I display them. I felt this was ironic because I know many people who buy pottery just for display. There are many expensive pieces, but nobody wonders why they buy them. People see beauty from different things.

Also, I believe sneakers are very realistic objects for me and many people. I know there are tons of people who love shoes.  We check news about sneaker almost everyday and buy magazines about sneakers. We see personalities through shoes too. As artists used to make paintings about religion or landscape, this is an object I see very often in my daily life. Actually, I was reading art theory books at that time, and it encouraged me to make ceramic sneakers.

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INTERVIEW | PUMP TROLLEY COMEDY

PUMP TROLLEY: Ruth x Thirteen. An INTERROGATION.

For comedians, these guys sure lack a sense of humour and it doesn’t help that they’ve gotten their entire collective beyond botoxed, in an attempt to become ‘mature’ performers. Read along anyway. Pump Trolley is bound to get you in the mood, for something.

“Basically we use multidisciplinary ‘stuff’ to entertain.”

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INTERVIEW | The Lab Magazine

They Can Turn Left: The Lab Magazine

Two guys just having a good time, having a good time. Guy #1 Tyler Close Justin. Guy #2 Power Mcdade Regimbal Jeremy. Stemmed out of their successful collaboration as The Studio Movement, the newest love child of this epic bromance, The Lab Magazine, has been going strong for a few months now, with another issue on the verge of being released. An Andy Warhol vibe fuels the fire, and diverse interview subjects, such as Chin Injeti and Frank W.Ockenfels, have already brought it to the attention of some legendary figures such as Christopher Plummer. They inspire us, they inspire the art scene and they might do it for you too, esp if you drink ‘the wine’. But first…

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INTERVIEW | Curtis Santiago

Getting to know Curtis Santiago in almost 21 questions…

Three out of six. Our third interview is a view from a window in a room devoid of time and space, and revolves around a performer with the last name Santiago, first name Curtis, middle name Ass Kickin Susan (or ‘Jaques’, in order to appeal to the heterosexual French fan base which would better identify with this ‘name’). Painter, Singer, Writer, Lover… of many things, Curtis granted us an interview while visiting Vancouver for the Red Bull Thre3 Style Tour, a few months back.

We even tried stealing one (or more) of his wonderfully detailed ring boxes, inspired by artists such as Matisse, Dali, and Magritte, but hotel security decided on a different fate for these awesome creations. Nonetheless, here is what transpired between one jet lagged dude and a writer who forgets how to spell her own name on an irregular basis.

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INTERVIEW | Lord Loxley

I met this dope cat in ‘Nam. We killed a couple of commies and then ate their bodies prior to eating their friends and their friends’ friends and then their dads and their moms and a bunch of pigeons.

A conspiracy… it was later said. And yet, it all felt so real that we did not know.

Ok. I did not meet this man in Vietnam, nor have I ever killed another being, pigeons included, but I think this might have been a dream that someone once had about things like that. However, I did meet this man. I took his photo, listened to his words, and clumsily attempted to choose some meaningful morsels of insight, from a continually expanding block of life experience. He was kind enough to share all this with myself in three hours+ of interviews, via deep and meaningful grunts while collaborating to get Skewed 09 happening and during just plain old chillins.

Meet Lord Loxley. Another one of the most fascinating humans currently in existence. And this is only our second interview. Four more to come. Each one as unique as their ‘beholders’. Here we go.

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INTERVIEW | Randi Oh

In case her profile in issue #9 wasn’t enough, venture further into the world of  Randi Oh, the talented designer and owner of Ora Bags. This girl’s  briliant approach to art, creation and life is bound to inspire you in an instant. Check out her customized masterpieces Ora Bags, along with many more snippets of her photoshoot with featured artist Lord Loxley and that pesky Lexa Naicu on our Flickr page. If you like this interview, make sure to come back for more. We are releasing one each week for the next six weeks, so don’t miss the chance to find out more about your favourite creative.

Do you consider yourself a multidisciplinary artist? How so? Can you elaborate on how ‘your people’s’ mind works and how you are able to switch between interests, inspirations, and processes? Do you feel that you successfully combine them on a regular basis?
Am I a multi disciplinary artist? By answering yes do I have to set up to the plate to defend myself in the fashion, art, craft, design argument? My educational route is quite unconventional in terms of seeking validity as an artist through the traditional recognition of awarded documentation. I have education and training in fine art, fashion design, textile arts, and a skilled trade. I value my education and experiences highly. As a result of my diverse schooling and experience I draw from a diverse range of skills and mediums. I never hesitate in my process; I use whatever skills are necessary to create, to bring my ideas to fruition. Some of my creations live in closets when they aren’t being worn, does this void my validity as an artist?

Why does anyone need to check out a Randi Oh design? What do you care the most about when designing? How does that translate into a finished piece?
I am very concerned with quality. I truly enjoy the process of everything I create. I release what I need to and drawn new energy from the process and the finished product. I take pride in my craftsmanship and attention to detail. I want to create things that I love and that are in turn truly loved and appreciated by others.

When simply walking your fine self under that red umbrella of yours, what do you think about?
I think a lot about colour. I am constantly admiring articles of clothing on people around me, when I see something I really like I think through the entire process of the fabric type, the fit, the construction – why that garment is beautiful. I think a lot about trees in this city, how we have left gaps in the pavement for them to poke through; I often visualize their roots reaching down into the ground.

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