In honour of International Women’s Day yesterday, I wanted to write a post on a few of the women designers that have impacted my practice. I remember during my final year of undergrad (in 2000) being asked by my professor to name some female designers that we admired and, very ashamedly, drawing an almost complete blank (not that I was that aware of design culture or history in general at the time).

I asked my portfolio class this same question last night and was happy to see them fare better than me, but not by very much… So as always, there’s work to be done, and I’ll start with a (very) select list of women who’s works have directly guided my own.

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Though it might at times seem like a difficult position to take, I’m very proud to be a signatory of this declaration. The support and successes of the call from Palestinian civil society for a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement are growing, and its time now to not mince our words and actions, regardless of what Ontario MPs might think. In solidarity…

Hello, hello!

We’re very pleased to announce that Four Minutes to Midnight will be part of next weekend’s Nuit Blanche festivities in Montréal. As part of a jam packed night/morning curated by Yan Basque at le Cagibi, I’ll be co-performing issue ten’s fugue with Hillary Rexe (more on this sassy/classy lady and her recent contributions to 2356 later) backed by John Stuart and Vincent Tinguely (aka Fingerdog) on guitarzzz, with inky projections by Hoda Adra.

We’ll be performing at 1:45 AM with an encore performance at 3:35 AM. But the whole night/morning promises to be entertaining and enlightening, with a slew of local and international talent, so please come by, grab a drink or two, and share with us a while.

Link to the facebook event page >>

An angel, hardly in disguise, has left us. The beautiful video above by friends Ralph Dfouni and Brigitte Henry. Rest in peace Lhasa, you will be greatly missed…

Lhasa interviewed by Stefan Christoff back in August.

The last month has been hectic to say the very least. Work, life and love have conspired against me to throw most of my preconceptions into the wind. Let’s see if I land on my feet. Out of that maelstrom, a little beleaguered news:

First off, I’ve moved yet again. This time into a nice little apartment/studio in my favourite hood in Montreal. The studio shots I promised way back when will have to wait… My new address is:

5380 ave. du Parc, #3
Montréal, Québec
H2V 4G7

Please send all love letters here…

Before getting into what I’ve been working on over the last little while, I wanted to announce that John and I will be tabling yet again at Expozine THIS WEEKEND (November 14-15). This year’s edition seems to be shaping up great, with a bunch of ancillary events and an opening party tomorrow night! Though we don’t have a new issue out, we’ll be selling copies of issues eight, nine and ten at reduced prices alongside a series of fresh posters and prints. We’ll have some information and previews for the eagerly anticipated next issue. John will also have a couple of other projects he’s been working on with his collaborators in the music scene. I haven’t seen ‘em yet, but I’m sure the’ll be great!

I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone there, please stop by and say hello!

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The 4th edition of Artivistic: TURN *ON is right around the corner. Artivistic is a collective working on issues at the intersection of art, information and activism that I’ve been involved with for the last couple of years. This year’s gathering, taking place from Thursday, Oct 15th through to Saturday the 17th, brings together over 40 international artists and activists dealing with (and playing upon) the myriad questions raised by themes of sexuality and eroticism.

It promises to be three intense days and nights filled with performances, workshops, installations and dialogues that will challenge stereotypes and our own constructed sexual limitations. Check out the website for more details and RSVP to the event on facebook to stay abreast of all the various happenings.

More to cum…

This weekend, my long-time friend and partner in crime, John W. Stuart will be married to Lindsay Foran. I’ve known John since 2000, and he’s always been a bit of a grumpy, cynical, curmudgeon. Since he’s been with Lindsay though, I’d say he’s lost the grumpy and cynical bits and is now just a plain ol’ curmudgeon. Good job Lindsay! Congratulations to you both and can’t wait to celebrate in Calabogie!

I recently completed an extensive interview, this time for the inimitable Ziggy Nixon. Its a rollicking ride of an interview from a ‘design outsider’, injected by Ziggy’s unique sense of humour and passion for the field. Hopefully, it provides an interesting and slightly different perspective on what I’ve been working on all these years. He’s even ‘written’ an annotated biography at the end gathered from all the bits and bobs about me floating around on the interweb! Who knew?

You can read the full interview here (in two parts), and please leave a comment to let us know what you think.

In the previous two issues of Four Minutes to Midnight we’ve featured work by an American poet named FA Nettelbeck. I discovered Nettelbeck on the old vispoets forum, ranting at the powerlessness of the “visual poetry” on display and discussion there. I contacted him, showed him my shit, and asked if he would be interested in submitting something to issue 9 of Four Minutes. He did, and I was blown away. As I read up on his story I was floored…

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