Ghost station/Transmutations: Night -For-Day

The line ups were amazing Laura, I was especially fascinated by the fact that the ghost station and the secular confession events were stationed in a "rich" area and around some of the popular clubs downtown. It was interesting to see the older people in there Mercedes Benz trying to get past a swarm of "art students". But I must agree with Laura that Nuit Blanche was not about reaching all the events but finding artists and there work that made you think about your life and the world and how some of society’s social norms can be changed. It was really the people that made the artwork. As for going to the ghost station I agree that once we finally got into the subway it was not that spectacular at all to see. Sure the surroundings created for the event were appropriate, dark subway no lights, trains standing still on the tracks and sounds coming from all directions, but there was nothing that really stood out as mysterious or scary. Actually the best part of each exhibit I found was when the audience became involved with the artwork. for instance at the Ghost Station students wanted to further investigate the exhibition but trying to open the doors of the trains...since this was Nuit Blanche many people especially students thought allot of the events were suppose to be interactive. Although on some level it was stupid of them to try to go on a train that was not in use. On another level I was happy that they tried to push the limits of the artwork and try to explore the boundaries of the Ghost Station. The guards that were positioned a few feet were not happy and pulled them off the train .They were actually able to get inside the trains which I thought was hilarious. Trying to break the boundaries or rules to the artwork I believe made the art piece more interesting rather then just walking through a dark subway hall.

One of the first artworks we explored around the downtown UofT campus was "Transmutations: Night - For- Day " where they were inviting the audience to dance and come onto the stage...I have to say I was impressed at how open this event was although Nuit Blanche was suppose to be an interactive event with many things to see I was a little disappointed that some of the events we explored seem to have allot of restrictions. Unlike some of the other events the actors in “Transmutations” really thrived on the audience’s interaction. From my perspective I believe “Transmutations” frictional plays were making a commentary on today’s media, particularly TV talk shows and celebrities. For example one of the skits portrayed a talk show host and a female celebrity talking about charity and her career and how she was donating to her favorite charities. I guess the actors in this play were trying to portray how celebrities today use charities to exploit and gain attention and to show there generous side to the public. To show they care about others in society other than there career. But by showing up on a talk show it’s a double standard because you are getting more publicity for yourself as an actor or singer. I believe the actors of the play were trying to portray how the powerful in our society could exploit the medium of television for there own personal gain.

Adrian

The Ghost Station 2007

The Ghost station was an interesting stop on our list of things to see that night. I think the best part about Nuit Blanche is not necessarily the artwork itself, but rather the people you are with and how you interact with others around you. The reason why I say this is because on our way to see the Ghost Station Adrian and I met two couples who were headed for the same exhibit. We heard there was a huge lineup for this exhibit and quickly realized that the rumors were true when we finally arrived to the line which was approximately an hour wait to get in. We were definitely not pleased about this so we made our first attempt to sneak our way into the front of the line. Unfortunately the security guard caught us and told us to go to the back of the line. We weren't going to give up though. The two couples, whom we just met merely seconds earlier insisted we make a second attempt to sneak into the line. This time we were successful. Maybe it was because we re-arranged our clothing and altered our hair to make us look different. I don't know but the process was fun anyhow. I was also quite surprised that no one said anything about us cutting in front of the line (they were probably too stoned or drunk to realize what was happening). We were very excited to enter into the ghost station, hoping to be spooked out or maybe even spot a few ghosts. We had no such luck. The whole exhibit was based on weird sound effects that were supposed to freak everyone out. In the end it was quite disappointing to not have been frightened in the least bit as I was walking through the station. The fact that we were able to see this unused station was interesting and the sound effects were pretty cool, but the intent of the project was supposed to be about paranormal activity and there was nothing paranormal about it. I do have to admit though, I did enjoy this exhibit firstly because we didn't have to wait in line for an hour (in which case I would have been pissed) and secondly because of the cool people we met in out attempt to cut in front of the line. In this case The Ghost Station was definitely worth the (5 minute) wait.

~Laura

Royal Ontario Museum-Ground Loop Alibi (Laura & Adrian Photos)

This stop was a really fun part of the night as well. It was very interactive because the audience was a direct participant. The idea of this exhibit was to "mix international sounds, and images to explore geographic, cultural and personal differences". I thought this idea was a load of crap, and that this description was only used as an excuse to make this outdoor party "artsy" and "intellectual". I don't think this exhibit explored anything about geographical cultural or personal differences. The only differences it explored, was how different people dance. The exhibit was successful in a sense that it encouraged individuals to be active participants and to interact with one another on the dance floor (or in this case the sidewalk). It gave a whole new meaning to the song "Dancing in the Streets" because people were quite literally dancing in the streets! Although I don't buy into the description or the purpose of this exhibit, I thought it was enjoyable and successful in other ways. It explored more about people’s reactions to music then their geographical and cultural differences. I think that music and dancing is a way to bring people together in the act of dancing and having a good time rather then pointing out differences.

~Laura

Diaspora Dialogues & The Word On The Street (Laura & Adrian Photos)

I have to admit I did not understand what this project was all about so it is hard for me to analyze its purpose. The whole project was unclear to me and I didn't enjoy it at all, so that is the precise reason we didn't stay here that long. Adrian did you enjoy or understand what this project was all about?

~Laura

Emergency Room Recruitment Centre (Laura & Adrian Photos)

I have to say that this exhibit was quite interesting and effective. What I liked most about many of the sites we visited was the fact that many of them were interactive with the audience. This show in particular encouraged individuals to speak their mind. The format was interesting as well. Ripped up canvas was made to look like bandages where individuals could write down an emergency in the world, which they thought was important. Each person who wrote something down on the torn canvas was told to wrap the "bandage" around their head or body and was told to speak about the issue and why it was important. It was a fun and interactive way to get people to speak about pressing issues that were on their minds. I definitely thought this show was very effective. Adrian how did you feel when you were told to speak about the issue of our environment?

~Laura

Transmutations: Night-for-Day (Laura & Adrian Photos)

Photo of Secular Confession

Here is a photo of the Secular Confession exhibit. It was located in an old church in Yorkville, which I believe is now an art gallery. Only one person at a time could go into the booth to make their confession. The booth was also lit on the inside so that people sitting outside could see the silhouette of the person sitting inside the booth.

~Laura

I agree with you Laura, Secular confessions was one of my favorite performance art pieces of the night. I was eager to let go of all my inhibitions and confess my deepest darkest secrets to this man behind a curtain. I'm guessing this is because of the atmosphere ... when we entered the old Gothic looking church it was dark and quiet, two women sat at a desk placed in front of us. It was designed as a waiting area while we sat and faced them on an old wooden bench. The confession booth was at the other end of the church ....because of the dim lighting and the serious mood of the artists watching us we waited quietly within this temple like setting. I didn't feel nervous to confess anything to them, because it felt private.Theses actions and the orientation of the room seemed to make the entire guest nervous and quiet. As you can probably recall Laura I was afraid to talk while I was within the church or temple. Because of the dark setting, candles and silence it felt Sacred. My actions felt controlled by the artificial settings put in place for this event. I was controlled by the surroundings the artist had created. Even though I knew this event was artificial I felt as if it was a religious setting because of the architecture and objects within the structure. While the confession booth was in private I felt free to confess anything to this stranger I was about to meet without the public looking down on me or judging me. I was thinking to myself after the event why did I feel so this way ....and I am sure you were wondering why I was so happy to see this event Laura. Well Perhaps it was because I felt free from being judged or being judged by a member of society that had a higher authority within our society such as a priest or counselor.Truthfully as a Roman Catholic I am usually afraid of confessing my sins to the priest in fear persecution or exclusion from the church. Also within my religion the priest usually knows the people within the church community very closely and gets to know his congregation on a personal level. Therefore meeting one of my priests in the church to confess my deepest sins would be a difficult process to overcome because of the relationship we have built in my churches community over the years. When I didn’t know the strange man behind the curtain I felt relieved. The lack of association to the church or government actually set me free from guilt also not only was me and this stranger disconnected in the sense authoritative power, relationship wise we were disconnected as well. He was free to tell me what he really thought of my "sins" without holding back so in stead of fearing the confession booth I was actually excited to confess my issues. Although Laura I did love your approach to the secular confession event, breaking the serious tension within the old church and making the artist laugh within the confession booth was pretty interesting I can’t wait to see the photos within the booth. As for me the man in the confession booth was very serious and tried to comfort me.

Adrian

Secular Confession Exhibit

I would have to say that my favourite event of the night had to be the exhibit called Secular Confessions. I was a little skeptical at first because the whole purpose of the exhibit was to confess something that was on your mind. It didn't necessarily have to be a sin or something you did that was morally wrong but i felt a little weird talking to someone i didn't even know, or couldn't even see for that matter. Even so the person behind the drape in the confession stand was not actually a priest, it felt even more weird and awkward to have to talk to him. You would think that because it wasn't a religious confession that you wouldn't feel weird about it or feel any guilt about what you were confessing, but the effect on me was actually opposite. I felt weird and a bit hesitant at first about confessing something to someone other then a priest. In the end I decided to participate in the event because i realized that i did have something to confess. My confession was about how I was always cutting in front of long lineups. The funny thing was that i actually cut in line for this very exhibit, so i felt that it was appropriate to use that as my confession. I thought it was interesting though, that when i told my confession, the person behind the curtain started laughing ( when he clearly wasn't supposed to because it was a confession). He did end up apologizing for laughing but i thought it was funny that i could break the tension and the seriousness of the whole project, although what i did to get to the confession wasn't very nice of me and I also forced Adrian into cutting in line as well, lol.

Following is a description of the Secular Confession Booth exhibit as listed in the Scotiabank booklet for Nuit Blanche: "Do you have a troubled conscience? Introducing the Secular Confession Booth - it's cheaper than a shrink with no possibility of damnation. Mature personnel will hear your confession, judgment free. Of course, what's said in the booth stays in the booth."

I found this description to be quite interesting after experiencing the Confession Booth because although the description promises no possibility of damnation, mature personnel and a confession that is judgment free, I still felt as though I was being judged because the minute I told my confession the person behind the booth gave a little giggle. That was the precise reason why I was hesitant to go into the booth in the first place for fear of being judged or laughed at. I find it amusing that my confession was able to make the person behind the curtain crack.

~Laura

what was your favorite event at nuit Blanche Laura ?

So Nuit Blanche was a blast and im glad i went this year

~Laura