Gallery 1313 has been supporting emerging artists for twelve years. As part of Gallery 1313’s programme, curator Phil Anderson has put together a sex show that has been running for six years. The show went from being titled “High Libido” to “The Sex Show”. Coincidentally, February (2010) is also the month when the second Cadmium edition celebrates a similar subject. So here is a short interview with Phil Anderson from Gallery 1313 where we chat about some relevant issues (for the most part) that “The Sex Show” looks to embody.

EDISON OSORIO: Phil, the premise of the show suggests that you guys are having  fun with the theme of ‘sex’, which makes it sound naughty. How explicit does the show get?

PHIL ANDERSON: Pretty explicit, we have a warning on the door because we do have families that come to the gallery, and we don’t want them to bring the kids in and subject them to material that’s very adult-oriented, and it’s pretty broad-based.

EO: What are some of the most common media artist have submitted to address this subject?

PA: This year we have some sculptural pieces by Christian Waldo. He’s made these sculptural human figure buildings with little people walking around them, fairly explicit. With the little people walking around them, they seem like a McDonald’s. So there’s a bit of humour involved in that.

There’s also a female artist who employs dark eroticism. She did an image of a woman in a hot tub with a squid, a bizarre kind of approach. There’s also an OCAD artist who takes pornographic magazines and cuts out the images, and then she applies paint to them so they become very layered and textured.

Surprisingly, we haven’t gotten a lot of works in the way of video. I used to curate screenings, and sex-related videos are usually explorations of the human body, as opposed to the work of artists like Bruce Labruce, which is more explicit in content. Many people think of his work as being pornographic. I think the different kinds of attitudes towards artworks are interesting too. Some guy came into the gallery and was talking about ‘the dirty show’ as in “The Sex Show”, like sex is dirty. Sometimes those attitudes have a lot to do with gender.

EO: How does the meaning of a sex-related artworks change when it’s brought into a gallery?

PA: It’s particularly interesting to see a group show around the theme of sex because you see so many different approaches to it. It’s all very diverse. It’s almost like food. People have different tastes and attitudes towards food, and it’s almost the same with sex. They have different appetites and things that they like. So when you bring that all together in a space with so many different artists who have different approaches you get a variety of responses.

And there were some submissions that didn’t really fit the bill. Perhaps it has to do with where I’m coming from. A naked body doesn’t necessarily have a sexual connotation to it, for me. Perhaps somebody else finds that erotic, to him or her.

One time I had a submission by an artist, in which she had a group of faces of some guys. I tried to find where the sexual significance in that was. But there wasn’t really a statement that went with it to explain how she found them erotic or sexual.
There’s another artist, Paul P. who’s done work with faces. There’s a sort of obvious sensuality in their faces, so it’s interesting to see people’s take on what they find sexual or erotic.

EO: How does the audience interact with the works?

PA: It varies on the people. Some approach the work with a little bit of caution. Others find themselves intrigued. But for the most part, how they react to the show becomes more important than the work itself.

EO: Do they ever feel offended?

PA: I never get complaints. One time I had a guy complain that it wasn’t offensive enough. But I don’t know what he was expecting. When you put out that sign, you’re letting the audience know what they’re up against. These days, we see so many images in the media that have sexual connotations to them, and the boundaries are being pushed further and further, and so people come in expecting to see who knows what.

Years ago, Mercer Union was closed because some drawings by Eli Langer were deemed by the public as child pornography. “In 1993… 35 drawings and five paintings were removed from the gallery by the Morality Bureau of Toronto Police”. It was unfortunate too, because it’s hard to wash off this reputation that the artist gained.

“The Sex Show” runs from the 3rd to the 14th of February at 1313 Queen Street West.

Seedy hotel rooms, lipstick on collars, fishnets strewn across anonymous lampshades. Oh the secrets of a cheating heart. My name is Alex and I am a cheater. But seedy hotel rooms? Not quite my style. Most people might be lured by a come hither glance, a sexy unshaven jaw line attached to that tall dark stranger in the corner. Yawn. I have bigger problems. Like those that come in the form of soft buttery leather, tinkling chains, glittering sequins, and fanciful ruffles…pure sex. Its not that what I have isn’t satisfying. Its how the minute I walk into Holt Renfrew, every lustful fantasy I’ve ever had, every craving for adventure, glamour and notoriety is thrust in my face. My practical dreams for the perfect, professional and sophisticated (read: black, grey and black) wardrobe have been tied up and gagged in the closet. Out of my treacherous longings steps a fearless glamazon, turning heads as she passes, while flitting from one society event to the next and peering back at me in the reflection of that stunning solid sequined skirt. One skintight tie-dyed minidress and I’m whirling through discos with my entourage, dancing till dawn. Is it such an awful temptation to step out of oneself just for a moment? As the sales girl discreetly folds away my dreams in tissue paper, I anticipate the experience of our first outing together. Complete with flocks of admirers and smoldering flirtation all encompassed by my new dazzling charisma, I would be untouchable! As with most epic love affairs though, the passion is short lived. By the time I get my treasures home, I realize that I don’t know where to find a disco, let alone my own entourage. Those sequins that promised endless nights of epic revelry? They don’t match a thing in my closet, unless I’m planning on starting a new ultra-minidress fad. And so I brew a strong cup of tea, slip back into my trusty headband and black wool tights and settle down to medit ate on my sins. Until next time.

Aries
Look at a Map
We love it when you call us up at three in the morning for drinks and pad thai but lets limit it to once a week this month okay? Although your enthusiasm may limit you from getting more than a few hours of sleep at a time not all of us are in the same canoe. Actually, none of us are. We are asleep in a huge checkered house boat and we are unplugging our phones. Stop skipping class. Inspiration for January: Children. Frolicking. In lava.

Taurus
Find A New Way Home
Try writing your definition of ‘emotional security’ on a t-shirt and wear it to every party you go to this month.  This will help you with your marriage. Yes, thats right, your marriage! Congratulations. Another way to assist with said marriage is to stop being so sulky. Try to be as sensual as possible, just not around sculpture students. Your Next Project: It will all go as planned. If it is not going as planned with fifteen minutes to go, cut it in half and then weld it back together.

Gemini
Try Something Twice
Stop making out in Butterfield Park because everyone is getting jealous. If you are not making out in Butterfield Park, hang out there more. Buy a print from a fellow OCAD student. One day it will make you very rich. That is, if you go into business. If you are not going into business, forgo all printmaking purchases. You will need the extra cash. It may be the best of times, your papa shouldn’t preach. But, just to make it clear, you are keeping the baby? Inspiration for next month: White things in snowstorms.

Cancer
Pick Up The Phone!
Most of what you say is interrupting someone else. Racing old and pregnant women to the last seat is not funny, no matter how many stops you laugh for. About that thing you saw…You were never supposed to see that. The girl sitting near you had a better idea first. It’s best not to let on to the fact that you’re hoarding all the goods. Stay silent this month until your ingenuity and luck passes. Inspiration for January: That thing on your head.

Leo
Seek Alternative Perspectives
Your love life has never been interesting. It’s very bad taste to make fun of other people just because they are hotter than you. You’re not fooling anyone. It’s time you stopped that. Sugary-sweetness is messing with your future and its not going to last. But you already knew that, Anastasia.  This month you will be tempted to copy and paste blogs. Please refrain from posting any more photos and take down the ones from four years ago. Trust me, his next relationship will go MUCH smoother if you do. The best bet for January: Smug and discreet.

Virgo
Use a $5 Word
Move to Australia and have some babies. It will make us all feel better. Pretty hair will carry you as Columbus was carried by doves; not at all.  It is very difficult to have such smooth hair in all that heat. When you start carrying kids around it will get even harder. Although you may be sad to leave your friends and family you are going to love the kangaroos. You will look deep into their eyes and hop along side them. They will even put you in their pocket! No one will miss you THAT much, so don’t feel bad. You are really going to love it. You will! I swear! The sooner the better! Inspiration for January: The feeling of a pocket.

Libra
Practice Fake Crying
Make circles and a five year plan. Because you’re worth it, blonde blonde blonde. Duck! Dive! Into lake Ontario and retrieve the coral necklace and her wild horses. The milk will make you more attractive so splash around in it. The Mule is very wise and although you are young at heart you have no impulses. Your life is like a box of daggers and marshmallows, you’ll never know which will kill you faster. Inspiration for January: Bookbinding.

Scorpio
Stand to the right, literally.
Old habits die hard so don’t you dare try to wear that one in the back of your closet.  Never lend Rochester a book, he will only give you alcohol. This month promises to be sew much more than a fabric store. Jessica from high school is no longer interested, but don’t let that dictate who you eat lunch with, its never to late to stage a revolution! Your next project: Made out of the hair that is on your jacket.

Sagittarius
Watch For Gum!
This month everything will go right for you. When you hand in your projects your teachers will say in hushed tones “My word, I have never been in the presence of such talent”. A new scholarship will be set up in your name and suddenly everything will be free! Love will surround you, friends will call everyday and your family will gain a new sense of your worth and capability. You will shine with beauty and glory among the masses. Inspiration for January: The wildlife and mystical creatures that spring from your footprints.

On Monday, November 9, 2009, the OCAD faculty of design presented TyPOLOGY, it’s first ever exhibit featuring selected typography works from it’s second, third and fourth year graphic design and advertising students. Projects at the exhibition proved that the function of typography is much more than being simply reader-friendly, with projects varying from arranging text into an expressive self-portrait to interpreting lyrics to a song. Highlights include a more-than-cool lyrical interpretation of John Lennon’s song Instant Karma! by third-year graphic designer Michelle Cortese and fourth-year graphic designer Justin Morris’ politically charged poster, which by imitating a Snellen chart, commands a closer look with the size of the letters on each row growing progressively smaller. It goes without saying that the competition in the graphic design industry is immense. But the designers of OCAD have a lot to say (and type) and their talent, as displayed, makes it that much harder to ignore.

Spring is here ladies and gentlemen! Um, what? For us Canadian fashionistas, the launch of the spring collections traditionally marks a disconnect between how we’d like to showcase our personal style, and the frigid, snowy weather outside. Sheer, fluttery confections and dainty strappy sandals? I don’t think so. Try long underwear, wool socks and down coats twice the size of a regular person. While flipping through this month’s latest crop of fashion magazines for inspiration, this fashionista was pleased to discover a plethora of utilitarian, comfort oriented, and potentially affordable pieces perfect to compliment any style, or below zero temperature forecast. Working on an equally frigid student budget, this seasons variety of must have wardrobe staples meant to last a lifetime ranged anywhere from tough-chic military jackets to a rainbow of “nouveau prints” in enough color palettes and patterns to inspire the most discerning art student. But nouveau prints? Of course not. The beauty of the season’s best pieces is not only the wide range of choices to fit your own personal style, but the return of real, wearable and oh-so-affordable clothes. These are the pieces that make up the bones of your wardrobe, the blank canvas for your constantly evolving personal style. They’re also the styles that, like much of the fashion world, have already been done. They’re already old hat. But as we all know, old hat is affordable, tried and tested. The only question that remains is where to find the best selection, best quality, and best price to add that trendy key piece to your collection? Take a cue from the ever-revolving fashion industry and step back into the past for quality, buildable basics with budget friendly price tags at Kensington Market. Vintage is always in, and so is the wide selection of mix and match basics available at Exile Vintage Clothing. For those of you coveting spring’s gorgeous palette of prints, one step into Ego reveals a dazzling array of textures, colors and patterns sure to satisfy your color cravings and just in time to remedy the dark winter blues.

Exile
20 & 60 Kensington Ave.  Toronto, ON
(416) 596 0827  (416) 5957199
www.exilevintage.com

Ego
9 Kensington Ave. Toronto, ON
(416) 596 8282