The Art Snob Archive

Gonorrhoea-ism - Jan 12 2007

My dear readers, it is not easy being in such high demand. Every morning I am rudely awakened by the postman, who scowls loudly as he lugs another bundle of fan mail to my door. Amongst all the love notes, invitations to speak at highly prestigious, super-important think tanks, and grateful letters from the Third World children I sponsor, there is undoubtedly a countless number of requests to attend various screenings, concerts, exhibits and plays. I am usually quite insistent on a monetary gift or at least some sort of material reward in return for my distinguished presence, but today I heard from an old friend and decided to “do him a solid” (although he is still welcome to send a monetary gift).

Kyle Lawler, local libertine, veteran provocateur, and sitar virtuoso, is a student at the University of Waterloo in the Independent Studies program (an interdisciplinary plan that encourages creative individuals to explore such fascinating topics as “the potential of community gardens to build neighbourhood solidarity.”). As one of the three minds behind the Waterloo-based “Apollo Ink” collective, Lawler has been working to forge a sense of community in a city with impressive but scattered talent.

Working from Apollo Ink HQ at 156 King St. (right beside UW’s own Artery Gallery), the boy-wonder is currently collaborating with local musician Brad Hartman (aka Milkbagbrother) to host “The Human Reproductive System”, an event bringing together art and music for the necessary public adoration and adulation.

Scheduled for Friday, January the 19^th, the exhibit/concert looks to combine the work of local artists and musicians (such as resurrected scene favourites Analog Wry, performing as “A Good Story”) in a celebration of the absurdity of everyday life. The show’s philosophy is reflected in the title, which, indeed, has no apparent significance. Hartman and Lawler (who will both be performing at the show) are respected local musicians renowned for their humorous and satiric lyrics, and this is no doubt a binding theme of the show. Apollo Ink co-founder Mike Neeb playfully describes the philosophy as “Andy Warhol after 9/11.”

The Art Snob sat down with Lawler to discuss what is shaping up to be an exciting evening of post-modernism, surrealism, and “gonorrhoea-ism”:

Art Snob: Tell me, dear friend, what has inspired you to throw this event?

Kyle Lawler: Do you think the mimes who roamed the streets of Paris got credibility through eating, let alone being able to afford food? I think not! In the art world, it's no pain, no gain. If you are having sex in a way which does not warrant some type of risk for gonorrhoea, you're clearly not in it for the art.

AS: Hmmm, indeed. Cryptic, perhaps, but certainly an interesting concept. How could we describe something like this to make us sound intellectual? Gonorrhoea-ism?

KL: The feeling could be described in one of many words ending in –ism, but they have all been previously used to describe failed political movements.

AS: Isn’t that always the unfortunate case, ah well.

Speaking to Mike Neeb, your inquisitive columnist asked how Apollo Ink felt about the city of Kitchener’s recent move to “de-artify” the space at 156 King by allowing commercial development. “By no means is this the last hurrah,” Neeb answered, “but it certainly is like dancing on thin ice and hoping for the best.”

How poetic! To be honest, these boys make me feel like Kerensky on the eve of the February Revolution! Please, my dear readers, go to 156 King on Friday the 19^th and dance on ice with these fine fellows. Doors are at 8, cost is $4 (with profits going to the Food Bank). Indulge in “The Human Reproductive System”, and come out with a better understanding of Lawler’s fantastic “Gonorrhoea-ism”. Godspeed to you!

posted by HLL @ Friday, January 12, 2007