ART... a focus on a few of our friends of CONNECTING THREADS

While the world recently was doing backflips over the American election results — Koko was in agreement

…and things were happening at 851. A very interesting writer came by for a tour with Harley and Lindsey from Ma&Hg architects; what an interesting fellow he was. It looks like our project will be featured in the sequel of Westcoast Modern House which will/would be amazing. I’m going to have to look at getting the original book which featured architecture of the 1940’s to 60’s here on the Westcoast. Really an honour it is to be included.

While all that has taken place our busy beavers of Connecting Threads have continued to make “piece flags” and I’ve decided I’m going to continue until there are better conditions for people in this country. I have a feeling I’m going to be stitching flags for a long time — my challenge is to all levels of gov’t to make me stop!!

all are welcome to join me in the ongoing resistance movement.

I’d also like to lend an eye to a recent show in Gibsons, where one of our Connecting Threads artist Connie Sabo exhibited her amazing work.

check it out…

What a talent!! Connie has nailed the art of the stitch as well and I always learn something from her when we do our Connecting Thread sessions working on those “piece'“ flags — a big thank you to a generous person Connie Sabo.

PEOPLE...who's the luckiest?

Bab’s is gonna tell us…

I’m trying to feel lucky but not so sure so will say I do love the video and the coloration effect. As I try to channel Barbra Streisand’s words of luck and love and squash the feeling of the lack of love for the most unfortunate people living in parks, streets and alleys I keep the focus on CONNECTING THREADS.

This Friday is the official beginning of Phase 2 CONNECTING THREADS where we discuss how to proceed with the art installation on the fence at Strathcona Park. Sadly, some of the “piece flags” have disappeared be it taken or stolen, bottom line they’re are gone. I like to think they are decorating some tent or appreciated by some passerby that needed some material? The game plan is to keep the fence alive with “piece flags” so the mission continues.

So what’s the difference with Phase 2? Here are some ideas we’ll be flushing out in CONNECTING THREADS. 1) let’s look at solution slogans — ie. safe supply or my favourite “there’s no I in Team but there’s a U and an R in F(^%$(*ing Wanker

2) invite others to create slogans and encourage them to keep /post the message in their home and/or add it too the fence

3) encourage others to come together to create their own community of solution slogans on” piece flags” for posting to a place of their choice and/or the fence.

If you have ideas we welcome hearing them as when the CAWM collective meets again we’ll have more to chat about.

Until then enjoy the images of things created (be they on the fence or gone):

…beginnings of phase 2…CONNECTING THREADS

COMMUNITY...thinking about an election?

CAWM Collective is soon rolling out phase 2 of abOUT Damn Spot — CONNECTING THREADS. Take a look at the site if you’re interested and in the Artist Statement you’ll see how it connects to this weeks title. As we each head out to vote this week we should be thinking of the people we want to represent us; who is the best candidate to represent what you believe. How can we (as in society) find it acceptable to leave people living in parks, alleys and streets? Why are we not looking at providing safe supply? Where are the clean beds and rooms? I’m asking the candidates those questions as they should have answers or why are they running? I’m looking for the candidate who is actually listening to the needs of the community?

So far 5 months into park encampment this gov’t has done nothing to show they care one iota about the people in Strathcona Park, Hastings St, Yaletown, Main St. etc… It is “our” problem to resolve and we can do it with our votes as well as protests and art projects.

Speaking of… CONNECTING THREADS will take on the shape of involving more people and continuing the connections we’ve built. A call has been put out through the SRA and we look forward to working with groups like Attira, Chinese seniors, small community groups and kids. Now that the website is up and running the possibilities of outreach have grown. Who knows where things can go!!

Here are some images of the installation at present: (note: The flags are flying and now it’s flowing onto the other side of the fence as well)

You may be wondering about the photoshoot set up in some of those images, well here’s the result (thank you WendyD photographer extraordinare)!!

PROGRESS... and thanksgiving plus plus

Wow how did I miss a week and how did so much happen in that time. We had a pig roast:

October will be the month of celebration no doubt!! We finally were able to pull some of the players together to celebrate the Project making it in the September issue of Canadian Architect! Yeah and pig roast to Marianne, MA&HG architects, and god love the amazing contracting team of Reece and Dino. Turns out Dino also has talents in the pig roasting department; the neighbours were very envious (smile). Two of the special little ones, born during the construction of the project, Freya who’ll be 3 in January and Bazil who just turned one. It brings joy to know so many wonderful moments happened during the transition of old to new.

I shared an interesting story with the group about a crazy discovery of Blog connections and family history. The e-mail connection began with someone who read the Blog sending me a message of “5 sentences in your blog gave me more insight into my family than I’ve had in 55 years”. Well that turned out to be an intriguing journey. I look forward to meeting with this interesting man and getting his permission to share the adventure of random honesty. If you ask me I’ll tell you — just not writing more details at this moment. What fun this journey of life is and we have to say it is an enjoyable adventure of intrigue.

As Thanksgiving day rolled around there was more celebration, not only of being born on this day, but that so many are thankful about it (or at least that’s how I’m looking at it):