No More Artist Statements

While this looks like text, it is actually an image, so fuck off

I'm being forced by the institutional overlord that is my professor and TA to produce a document that statements my art. This piece of travesty against all visual understanding is known as the artist statement. It is a document that is necessary to prove that one is not a slack ass, retarded artist like all those bums on the street. It's to prove your work is the product of a well trained and educated brain instead of just from some dood who accidentally splattered some paint on some wood. When you use the phrase "rejection of form and representation" you are worthy of money regardless of what your quotational piece of crap painting looks like.

I'm having an "artistic response towards negation" of this whole contemporary art business. If someone can't figure out what my drawing means, then too bad. I shouldn't have to write to defend my visuality, that merely expresses that visuality is subordinate to writing in expressing ideas. If I have to always write to justify, why don't I skip the whole "making art" bit and just write philosophy?

Now, the ultimate goal here is to channel all of this frustration and hatred into something visual that I can beat suckers over the head with. Fuck the gallery and those stupid white walls. Text is for suckers.

The Terra Nova Schoolyard Project presents Terra Nova Tea

The Terra Nova Schoolyard Project is a large community park in Richmond that strives connects elementary and high school students with the earth, the community around them and agriculture at large. Students learn to grow, monitor, harvest and eat nutritiously on a weekly basis. Students are involved in hands-on activities that integrate the complete food cycle – from seed to table, from table back to soil – (in the form of composting.) There are multiple learning outcomes and extensions that this project encompasses. Some key outcomes include social responsibility, science, math, wellness and cooperative learning.

This Fall, Terra Nova Schoolyard Society partnered up with T Room teas to create a custom Terra Nova blend. It is an organic Rooibos with orange and lemon notes. Money from tea sales will go to support the Terra Nova Schoolyard Project, which runs entirely on donation, municiple funding and with dedicated volunteers.

Each tin (~50 cup yield) sells for $15 and can be purchased directly from the Terra Nova Schoolyard Society. Orders placed before November 23 are guarenteed to arrive before the holiday season. All cheques should be payable to the Terra Nova Schoolyard Society.

For more information or to place an order, please contact Ian Lai at ianlai@telus.net

Anise & the Art

I've started a daily comic on artistic musings, ideas and conceptual problems. Boring you say? Nonsense. This is the future.

Sometimes it's nonsensical, other times I have the wit of a rabbit on cocaine. Today's update will probably be funny because I'm in that kind of mood. You can read Anise & the Art on the fabulous drunk duck comic server along with other treasures that comic artists have kept hidden!

On another note, I hate art! Okay, just today and only because my so called mentors aren't being very mentor-y. They're sucking actually, and making my life difficult at the same time. I just want to make comics of all sorts, what's wrong with that?