tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28967581722359149172024-03-13T09:11:00.295-04:00MANTA Contemporary Art GalleryWe are a contemporary art gallery located at 51 King William Street in downtown Hamilton, Ontario. Join us 7-11 the second Friday of every month for our opening receptions.We are open 1-7pm Tuesday-Saturday, drop by to see our current exhibition.Manta Contemporaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099141479344758031noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2896758172235914917.post-18628050914776814882013-02-20T22:26:00.001-05:002013-02-21T20:58:44.746-05:00Stocking Up For ChristmasThis Christmas, we had the pleasant arrival of a couple of really ginger little men who stole the spotlight in our storefront to compete in the 2012 Downtown BIA Christmas Window Display Competition.<br />
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Literally. They stole it, along with a bunch of other things from Santa's warehouse.<br />
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Christmas is such a cheery time full of vibrant characters. Take the elves for example, they must the be the most nimble and hardest working little workers around, just imagine how hard it must be to manufacture Nintendo games and iPhones by hand all year round in a chilly old workshop at the North Pole. Or those jolly snowmen, who put on a smile no matter how cold it is and they hold their ground to bitter end, through the worst of sunburns. Think of all the hard workers that bring the Christmas spectacle together every year. Reindeer that can fly and haul millions of presents around the world. The Abominable Snowman who runs a top notch security perimeter for Santa's village, who to this day has still prevented anyone from penetrating the secret compound. Even Santa himself, that fat old man runs a scheduled delivery still unsurpassed by the best and most modern in the courier industry today. But then there's one other group... those sweet little gingerbread men. The ones that jump from your baking sheet as you pull them from your oven and make a break for the door. Nobody really seems to know what greater Christmas purpose these guys serve. In fact, from time to time their devilish acts seem to be against Christmas belief. Some are beginning to wonder if it was the gingerbread men who put the 'x' in X-mas, creating a new generation of greedy kids who aren't even illegible for coal delivery to pressure their parents to shop for their gifts. What a crazy concept! Ya I know it sounds far fetched, but after what we've seen around here this year, I wouldn't be surprised if those gingerbread men weren't behind it all.<br />
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Well, in case you were wondering, I have the results for the display competition right here.<br />
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This year's 1st place prize was given to Downtown Dental for their retro-festive.ca lamp display.</div>
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The second place went to <span class="st">Laurenzo’s School of Hair Design arrangement of Christmas stockings. </span></div>
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And in 3rd place, slightly saddened by our hard efforts to win peoples' Christmas spirit, our ginger little gallery sparkled with hope.<br />
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As for the other contenders, in alphabetical order, these were the remaining displays.</div>
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Allegra</div>
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Crazy Bill's</div>
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Downtown Bike Hounds</div>
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E. Fusaro's</div>
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Leather's</div>
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Nathaniel Hughson Gallery</div>
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Sonic Unyon </div>
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TriOS College</div>
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YMCA Careerworx</div>
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Also, HECFI was listed as a contender but we couldn't find any of their Christmas decorations or display windows to photograph.</div>
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Although BIA polls are closed we still encourage our viewers to let us know their favourites. Send us an email and tell us what you think. If you have ideas for next year send em this way too!</div>
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Partially cooked gingerbread men on the loose.</div>
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<br />Manta Contemporaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099141479344758031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2896758172235914917.post-72108905812677469432013-02-20T21:09:00.000-05:002013-02-21T21:00:07.998-05:00TREE WOLF & OTHER STORIES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U5Ixbum0L9U/USV2RWu55iI/AAAAAAAAAU4/D-eGzpHIz7M/s1600/The+Meeting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U5Ixbum0L9U/USV2RWu55iI/AAAAAAAAAU4/D-eGzpHIz7M/s640/The+Meeting.jpg" width="475" /></a></div>
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Have you ever wondered what it would look like if you were trapped in imaginative storybook world constructed of your wildest childhood dreams?<br />
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A brief look at Tara Krebs new collection of paintings will submerse the viewer in a creative fantasy world like stepping inside pages taken from your favourite childhood story. However, upon looking a little closer you will find yourself in the company of several bizarre hybrid animal characters in a variety of eerie settings. Witnessing these paintings are like observing another dimension through a keyhole. You will likely have no idea who or what you are looking at, but will certainly wonder what is going on.<br />
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Each piece is never unaccompanied, and the characters always have a striking resemblance to various opposing but recognizable animals. Furthermore, you will notice reoccurring little girl who restlessly continues to explore and take part in the events unfolding in various pieces. Inevitably, you will be left alone to put together each piece of a larger narrative. Think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure novel.<br />
Every viewer will find themselves in a different world.<br />
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To see more of Tara Kreb's Tree Wolf & Other Stories collection, visit her <a href="http://mantacontemporary.com/Shows/TreeWolf/treewolf.html" target="_blank">exhibition page on our website</a>.<br />
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<br />Manta Contemporaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099141479344758031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2896758172235914917.post-6945666202224661802013-01-30T17:58:00.002-05:002013-02-07T12:00:58.412-05:00Addiction Is The New Steel<br />
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The road to success! </div>
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Ya you heard it right, a group of smart little cronies high up in city hall have found a foolproof market in Hamilton they can tap into for a little cash flow. <br />
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Addicts!<br />
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Yes, addicts, the easiest damn group of people to cater to. They will literally pay whatever it takes to get their hands on what you're selling. Ask you local drug dealer if he/she ever has a problem trying to get return customers.<br />
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Well, anyways those thoughtful ol' folks figured a department store sized bingo just doesn't cut it anymore for our growing city and came up with a whole new game plan. A flashy new casino. As long as it is carefully placed near the racetrack or better yet, downtown by the bingo hall, they will have torn a brand new hole in the already saturated addiction market to stick their shiny little heads through and snag some bucks. Bucks that could have left town for Niagara, or even worse... to Toronto's new gambling hole! Ugh.<br />
Imagine another city taking our hard earned gamblers' cash. It's ours!<br />
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But with such a brilliant plan creating millions of new jobs that will make us all well-off, why stop at gambling addicts??? Perhaps, the city of Hamilton should consider a municipal brand of cigarettes or a nice whisky aged in the finest Hamilton steel drums for a unique metallic aftertaste. Or better yet, the most loyal customers will always respond best to a heroine fix. Think of how sustainable this industry could be, think of the jobs. Think of the children!<br />
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<a href="http://mantacontemporary.tumblr.com/post/41888084203/addiction-is-the-new-steel" target="_blank">Peep the full proposal here and pass it on to your local councillor for some immediate approval</a>. <br />
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What d'ya say?Manta Contemporaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099141479344758031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2896758172235914917.post-36379517789695158072013-01-25T15:05:00.001-05:002013-01-27T13:53:36.820-05:00Halloween: The Saga Continues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you happened to spot a human sized squirrel, raccoon, skunk, giant pumpkinhead, bobble-head George W, a humungous skull, Bill Lumbergh look-alike, or a crazy cardboard box robot on Halloween night in Hamilton, then there is a good chance you caught the remnants of a MANTA celebration. Celebrations at MANTA often cascade into the streets late at night in search of warm and exciting new retreats to eat, drink, and eventually expand onto a dance floor. Although scary in costume, this parade is harmless and full of candy, like pi<span class="st"><i></i></span>ñatas. In fact, if you ever get close enough, you will likely be greeted with a whole box of candy.<br />
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Sugar taking its toll.</div>
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On October 31, 2012 the Raise the Dead exhibit came to a close with a gathering of friends and costume makers to celebrate Halloween for Halloween's sake! Initially meeting at MANTA, everyone then decided the best route to wander and the parade begun. Packed with candy and loot, no one with a good costume was passed without a reward.<br />
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Packing loot boxes for costumers and lucky Halloweeners.</div>
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Thanks to all who got involved and submitted costumes.<br />
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Free sugar!</div>
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Join us October 2013 in costume and we'll do it all over again!<br />
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<br />Manta Contemporaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099141479344758031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2896758172235914917.post-35597658769664924102013-01-16T19:05:00.002-05:002013-01-17T17:52:00.805-05:00RAISE THE DEAD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJYOgPRDOUM/UNdgC-qff_I/AAAAAAAAAP0/JWTPwWIUETE/s1600/HalloweenGirls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJYOgPRDOUM/UNdgC-qff_I/AAAAAAAAAP0/JWTPwWIUETE/s400/HalloweenGirls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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What the #$@! happened to Halloween?!?</div>
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There is something to be said about Halloween these days, but I won't say it, somehow I think you know what I am talking about.</div>
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It's all too easy to go with the flow. People are basically told what is new and cool and how to be hip. Is anyone ever questioning who is calling the shots though? Who is determining what colours are going to be 'in' this year? Do you fear your reputation is at risk if you dare to be different? Do you think the people dictating the latest fads are afraid? I think we can all easily classify two types of people here: there are those who ride the waves and those who make them. If the latter group appeals to you, I might just have something to whet your appetite.<br />
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I want to propose something. I want to try and bring something back this Halloween. Actually, make that every Halloween. Lets try to revive this quasi-holiday spectacle that was once a single day of the year devoted to the creative pursuit of scaring people and getting loot. I have listed a few points I would like to change.</div>
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NEW HALLOWEEN RULES:</div>
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ANYONE CAN PARTICIPATE:</div>
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No more prejudice against 'overage' trick-or-treaters!<br />
Despite the greater culture of fear telling us stories of older trick-or-treaters attacking homeowners, a larger presence of responsible parents and young adults taking part in the festivities will only strengthen and help self-govern unsafe behaviour in our neighbourhoods. <br />
News and media sources have scared people stiff in the US where some states have made it illegal for children over the age of 12 to take part and limit looting hours from 3-6pm during daylight. </div>
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HALLOWEEN STARTS AT SUNDOWN:</div>
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Nothing is scary about a bunch of rugrats dressed as princesses and superheroes sprinting through your gardens after school to get their grubby hands on some candy. Halloween can be the one day of the year you can truly turn the corner on a dark street and run into the grim reaper (hopefully). Regardless of how scary the costumes may be though, Halloween in the daylight is out of context and should at least start at sundown.</div>
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LET THE CANDY BE THE JUDGE:</div>
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No more handfuls of generic bite-size candy for everyone.</div>
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Next year, try this:</div>
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1. Reach for the unpopular hard little sugar candies (preferably licorice) but also buy some nice big juicy chocolate bars.</div>
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2. Lay them out on a table in your front hall and have a seat.</div>
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3. Rehearse your favourite reality talent show host's lines and then welcome in your costumed neighbours.</div>
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4. Look each costume up and down and deliver treats accordingly.</div>
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Good candy = Great, original costume, lots of character, scary yet polite, and maybe sparks a little jealousy.</div>
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Crappy candy = Mediocre attempt at buying/wearing something, impatient, with grubby/scratchy hands.</div>
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No candy = No costume, bad attitude, complains about not getting the good candy.</div>
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If we all institute a little operant conditioning, we will receive a much better Halloween experience.</div>
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A store bought Spiderman or Cinderella surely don't deserve as much candy as anything homemade. </div>
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And a scary homemade costume definitely deserves a bonus!<br />
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If people get great rewards for making their own costumes, I am sure better and better costumes will be made every year. And for the ones who don't ante up and make something, well they won't have much candy to look forward to. It's like survival of the fittest.</div>
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With all due respect though, many working people don't always have the time and money to put something together and might as well just grab a cheap costume on the run. Now before you had over to the 'Made in China' isle, let me propose a more creative idea... <br />
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SHOP FOR A CREATIVE COSTUME OR MAKE IT YOURSELF:<br />
Try your best at creating something that will make people scared, or even just laugh at you.<br />
If creating something isn't your thing, or you just don't have the time, try heading downtown to see what is 'Made in Hamilton' and you might be in for a surprise.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-39-iNzh8xAA/UPc4eHTJiqI/AAAAAAAAASA/I0jYC7ODWvA/s1600/Display+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-39-iNzh8xAA/UPc4eHTJiqI/AAAAAAAAASA/I0jYC7ODWvA/s400/Display+Day.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Raise the Dead by day</div>
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...and night </div>
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Each year for the month of October MANTA Contemporary will host a costume sale at the gallery right up until Halloween. You won't find any flimsy plastic molds here. Every costume and/or mask is made by hand by local artists and professional costume designers and they are all completely unique. It's like buying a clever piece of art... that you can wear.<br />
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It will make you so much more popular!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JGbRVllqyy4/UPc4ZxmI_1I/AAAAAAAAARQ/TC5ikkvqCug/s1600/2012+10+12+-+Costumes+on+Art+Crawl+night+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JGbRVllqyy4/UPc4ZxmI_1I/AAAAAAAAARQ/TC5ikkvqCug/s400/2012+10+12+-+Costumes+on+Art+Crawl+night+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Don't you wish you could be this cool?</div>
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If you already have a costume, come on over and try ours on anyways, it's fun. Get your photo taken, and score some candy too!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lcgW_GG1syU/UPc4dkycZjI/AAAAAAAAAR4/4IOZyysT6Rk/s1600/2012+10+14+-+Happy+face+in+the+street.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lcgW_GG1syU/UPc4dkycZjI/AAAAAAAAAR4/4IOZyysT6Rk/s400/2012+10+14+-+Happy+face+in+the+street.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Don't you want to be this happy? </div>
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Look out on Halloween 2013, we will Raise the Dead again!<br />
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Manta Contemporaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099141479344758031noreply@blogger.com051 King William Street, Hamilton, ON L8R 1H1, Canada43.2570684 -79.86693170000000943.2570234 -79.867010700000009 43.2571134 -79.86685270000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2896758172235914917.post-60142470461639495112012-12-21T23:25:00.001-05:002013-01-23T17:25:25.613-05:00There Goes The Neighbourhood!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-49ZioxU8TLo/UNUBgJnYQFI/AAAAAAAAAM0/mg_uj2fNKnc/s1600/IMG_9069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-49ZioxU8TLo/UNUBgJnYQFI/AAAAAAAAAM0/mg_uj2fNKnc/s400/IMG_9069.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Things got a little too hot on King last week.</div>
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If there is any city in Canada that is heating up its real estate market
right now it is Hamilton! All happy thoughts aside though, Hamilton's
councillors better double check that things don't start catching on
fire.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-11s4xjDe7U8/UNUCI-zS5fI/AAAAAAAAAM8/tQtGV9fSBhY/s1600/IMG_9119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-11s4xjDe7U8/UNUCI-zS5fI/AAAAAAAAAM8/tQtGV9fSBhY/s400/IMG_9119.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Mo' rubble, mo' problems. </div>
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There is no questioning, one of Hamilton's most vital yet delicate features it has to offer are its beautiful feats of architecture. As anyone from the GTA with the bad taste of faulty glass towers in their mouth will gladly agree that this city is refreshing. Almost everywhere you look are the storefronts, towers and homes built by masterful masons and bricklayers nearly a century ago. Most of the architecture is much older and in better shape than anything else in Ontario. Buildings in the city's core are comparable in age and stature to those in Quebec and the Maritimes and for a fraction of the price too! Hamilton is dead centre in the middle of Canada's Golden Horseshoe and there is no doubt things are starting to pick up. People are flocking to the city for the urban feel they only wished they could afford, until now.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JHrrEJa5EBI/UNUZ0SyIBzI/AAAAAAAAANc/UB_lMRsxjE0/s1600/CNRStation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JHrrEJa5EBI/UNUZ0SyIBzI/AAAAAAAAANc/UB_lMRsxjE0/s400/CNRStation.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The original CNR Station (built in 1931), now LIUNA Station banquet hall.</div>
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Many officials may read the growing statistics and simple numbers that equate to more highways and cookie-cutters in the burbs. And when a striking 72% of the Hamilton population lives at a higher altitude than the downtown core, things don't always turn out in favour of the lower half. An ongoing problem in short term Canadian politics has been just that, everything now functions on a short term basis. If Hamilton is to succeed in the future, everyone needs to plan ahead. This is coming from the city that sold its train station only to sluggishly come back to it as a flourishing new banquet hall they can't have. Now the city will attempt to build a train platform and kiosk across the street on a likely miniscule budget.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PwrgY4boBJc/UNUaGXztNLI/AAAAAAAAANs/3wOeOu8EbMU/s1600/GoPlatform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PwrgY4boBJc/UNUaGXztNLI/AAAAAAAAANs/3wOeOu8EbMU/s400/GoPlatform.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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GO's new generation of stations: a simple platform, shelter, kiosk and vast parking lot. </div>
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In the depths of municipal politics there is ongoing debates over land use and development in Hamilton, and many of the ideas seem to contradict the overall growth of the city and nobody seems to be stepping in. Where's the ref?<br />
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It's becoming evermore evident that large numbers of historic buildings in the city are being demolished and turned into parking or gravel lots. The common safety card is pulled to excuse the large number of losses, and Hamiltonians are told 'we can't save 'em all' from almost every angle of city hall. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrRc0npwWKA/UNUY4lPrlwI/AAAAAAAAANQ/yrRpJ_IV8As/s1600/SanfordSchool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrRc0npwWKA/UNUY4lPrlwI/AAAAAAAAANQ/yrRpJ_IV8As/s640/SanfordSchool.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sanford Avenue School to be demolished for green space.</div>
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Take the Sherman School at 149 Sherman Ave. N. for example, coming close to heritage status on the city's <a href="http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/EF552907-8E90-4941-85A9-10B9EED35644/0/HamiltonsHeritageVolume2.pdf" target="_blank">Inventory of Buildings of Architectural and/or Historical Interest</a> on page 94 and now it is being ripped down to build a park. Now don't get me wrong, parks are great, but there are developers who want to revitalize the space and turn it into a community and cultural centre. If public centres of this sort are being denied in order for more park land, we won't have any spaces left for cultural development. This neighbourhood is already home to a vast assortment of empty lots that could be used for park space. See <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2012/12/17/hamilton-sanford-school.html" target="_blank">CBC</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLJIKhwojCM/UNUbhffN3HI/AAAAAAAAAOA/0OA5VLehiwA/s1600/DesolateLot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLJIKhwojCM/UNUbhffN3HI/AAAAAAAAAOA/0OA5VLehiwA/s640/DesolateLot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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An easier venue for green space that is practically building itself.</div>
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In the heart of Hamilton's Gore Park four large historical buildings in a row are going to be demolished with no future developments planned. These buildings are just subject to destruction so the property owners will not have to face any restoration challenges when they're deemed historically significant. The Gore Park will not only lose several historic buildings, it will also gain another gaping void if the city council doesn't act by January 9th. How can a city function properly when its landlords are allowed to vacate residents and successful businesses to avoid gaining heritage status turning the most vital parts of the city into wasteland?<br />
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And how does the city figure a casino downtown is going to help matters at all?<br />
That will be a whole new can of worms. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GEFxMWFosEA/UNUmyptqx1I/AAAAAAAAAOU/BqZkhaEwIm4/s1600/GoreProperties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="457" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GEFxMWFosEA/UNUmyptqx1I/AAAAAAAAAOU/BqZkhaEwIm4/s640/GoreProperties.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Everything you see here is to be vacated and demolished before it can reach historical status.</div>
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Hamilton has been given a second chance at reinventing itself and this time it wasn't the steel industry that broke its back for the city, it was creative arts and cultural sectors that pulled the weight. With the 'new steel' in town, assets of the arts and culture should be embraced and shared to investors and most importantly this includes the historical real estate the city has to offer. Drive-thrus, big box centres and commercial parks can be built anywhere and there is plenty of questionable open spaces to develop parkland. Let the prime retail locations foster new pedestrian friendly neighbourhoods and retain the large vacant schools and warehouses for more ambitious cultural developments.<br />
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<img border="0" height="152" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aWs6KjUB04A/UNUr0hcw5EI/AAAAAAAAAOo/H2Yi4hUwA-k/s200/Liberty+Village.jpg" width="200" /> <span style="color: white;">...</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wcgHWwtirb4/UNUsBHWLi_I/AAAAAAAAAOw/8DJw9ZZn2cg/s1600/Distillert+District.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wcgHWwtirb4/UNUsBHWLi_I/AAAAAAAAAOw/8DJw9ZZn2cg/s200/Distillert+District.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Liberty Village and The Distillery District in Toronto</div>
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The success of Toronto's restored Distillery District and Liberty Village neighbourhoods can been seen as great examples of reinventing large industrial spaces that might otherwise be demolished. Try poking around the north end of Hamilton and you'll discover massive districts of abandoned facilities much larger and older than Toronto's. Just imagine the opportunities available to create flourishing new cultural micro cities. Imagine what they could offer back to the community! <br />
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<img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_ciWRRjHGQ/UNUubqfj3zI/AAAAAAAAAPE/Zn9MUKcjrug/s200/Beasley.jpg" width="200" /> <img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sBcrirmwN84/UNUuexVU-cI/AAAAAAAAAPM/HT1_-TxSkWA/s200/ShermanBiggar.jpg" width="200" /> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AhoQ0L-Xv3E/UNUulhW6ABI/AAAAAAAAAPc/rNFioKP8E3g/s1600/WestinghouseMyler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AhoQ0L-Xv3E/UNUulhW6ABI/AAAAAAAAAPc/rNFioKP8E3g/s200/WestinghouseMyler.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Some of the many spaces just begging for development.</div>
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Not demolition.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sq_QjdLMQtE/UNUuiAmc0II/AAAAAAAAAPU/ZHZNTZa7B2g/s1600/VictoriaFerrie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sq_QjdLMQtE/UNUuiAmc0II/AAAAAAAAAPU/ZHZNTZa7B2g/s640/VictoriaFerrie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Let's hope the next time the hammer is raised it will fix something, cause these places aren't coming back.<br />
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Congratulations, to those who fought and worked hard to bring life back to the Lister Block! <br />
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Pearl Company, Staircase Theatre, 270 Sherman, Gallery on the Bay, and the WAHC just to shout out a few more!Manta Contemporaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099141479344758031noreply@blogger.com0405 King Street East, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Y3, Canada43.2532352 -79.85731470000001843.2531902 -79.857393700000017 43.2532802 -79.857235700000018tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2896758172235914917.post-52934367829384015532012-12-21T17:36:00.002-05:002013-01-23T17:08:02.916-05:00FROM CARDBOARDAlmost two years ago I started working a really interesting position creating professional mascots for large sports teams and TV characters. At first thought, the job was a far fetch from the regular due service in the food industry that many artists dread. Located in the Lakeshore neighbourhood of Etobicoke between large empty rubble lots, social housing complexes and Ontario's newest super prison were five of us hired to construct a gnarly array of bizarre and ridiculous costumes. If you can think of a mascot, there is a good chance one of us made it.<br />
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At first, the work was energizing and full of very informative and innovative construction techniques and materials. However, as a result of the increasingly repetitive and monotonous work, it all began to take its toll on us. The sweatshop feeling was becoming evermore present as we were pushed to work harder and harder. We no longer found it amusing to wear the costumes for fittings and developed more intense exercises amongst ourselves to increase the level of excitement among us. It is hard to explain the thrill you get watching your nodding coworker jump when you slap his desk as you walk by. You know it is going to come back at you. It really keeps you on your toes. In an environment with high powered saws and precision blades, the old boss giving you the run down on your performance and justifying your financial shortcomings just wasn't quite lifting our spirits enough to keep us awake anymore.<br />
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A couple of slingshots and a crossbow. </div>
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That year, all of the mascot builders developed a close bond as a group, sticking together, yet withholding a subtle resentments cowardly expecting each other to stand up against the company. Gradually, it wasn't that uncommon to have an 8 foot block of foam barricade you into the washroom, or returning to your desk to find everything you own glued in place. As the bar rose and little antics escalated, it became a necessity to have a slingshot and a pocket full of chopped glue sticks at all times. Slingshots turned into cannons, and eventually it just wasn't fun anymore unless you trapped your coworker in a giant box or something.<br />
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One day, I was at my desk assorting large bins of mascot parts when I was unexpectedly trapped in a cardboard box. This day changed the prank game for good. It was way more humiliating having a box hammered down on your head then collecting small welt wounds from glue bits being shot at you. The key was to construct a box trap that would stay on someones head. After a week or so the razor box head trap had evolved, equipped half inch thick rubber shoe treads cut in triangles facing upwards inside the box which would lock around a person's neck when pushed down far enough. Same idea as the razor box from Saw II, but with rubber. On the outside it was decorated with spare mascot eyes, a propeller hat and a couple of floppy arms that would flail about as one of us struggled for a good 10-15 minutes to get it off our head. It was the utmost humiliating thing and it was worn with discontent at least twice a day. You can imagine the paranoia of working in a sweatshop in constant fear of getting trapped, tied up and shot at with glue pellets.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-88NWzzPCA/UNFBelsJ2JI/AAAAAAAAAKs/Ig9BZp3gNlM/s1600/Boxhead2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-88NWzzPCA/UNFBelsJ2JI/AAAAAAAAAKs/Ig9BZp3gNlM/s320/Boxhead2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The real deal: don't get this guy stuck on your head!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lVH6TpGeyhg/UNFP1ZzirRI/AAAAAAAAAME/VUJF3CI22y8/s1600/SawIIRazorBox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lVH6TpGeyhg/UNFP1ZzirRI/AAAAAAAAAME/VUJF3CI22y8/s320/SawIIRazorBox.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The razor box trap from Saw II.</div>
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As our cabin fever-like state raged on, particular rivalries formed. For proximity reasons, the target of my choice was the coworker that sat the furthest from me, Eugene. Our relationship was both calm and tense at times. Eugene was the oldest employee having worked there for 7 years and considerably more experienced. He often touted about his time in the trade, but nevertheless he had the expertise to back it up. Despite our frequent assaults on one another, the space between us gave good grounds for cooling off when things went too far. When it came down to business, we could always call a truce and brainstorm new ideas. During downtime, we put our workplace differences aside and went out to one of the nearby derelict properties or to the lake where Eugene would often meditate.<br />
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If you are still reading by now, I will keep a long story short. Later that year, the five of us all found our jobs to be a meager waste of time and quit one after another to go our own ways.<br />
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Eugene and I have kept in touch and occasionally share a laugh about the past, but for the most part, the boxhead days are over. Eugene is still consistently creating costumes and masks of his own, inspired by easily accessible materials and with little bits and pieces from the mascot making world.<br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-voScoNVseYY/UNFLPHnjlfI/AAAAAAAAALg/y8tiAHT7zB4/s320/Corp+Bot.jpg" width="284" /> </div>
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Corp Bot </div>
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When I found out that Melody and I would be opening a gallery, Eugene's masks came to mind. Recently, Eugene had contributed large cardboard creations to Manifesto shows at both the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Regent Park Arts and Culture Centre. <br />
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As part of plan to include various other ex-mascot creators we created our first annual mask and costume Halloween show at the gallery. Experienced artists can showcase their talent by creating completely unique costumes never seen before, for sale too! Just in time for Halloween. Anyways, that's a whole other story, I will get into that later. In the meantime, we needed a poster boy.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6GyXGKypfk/UNFLPwuiT9I/AAAAAAAAALo/Ejy1QUjFpvw/s1600/Tri+Top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6GyXGKypfk/UNFLPwuiT9I/AAAAAAAAALo/Ejy1QUjFpvw/s400/Tri+Top.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Tri-Top </div>
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Eugene Paunil was raised in Markham and lives in Toronto. He is currently working as a freelance mascot maker and artist. Having studied industrial design at OCADU, Eugene has learned how to carefully render objects in 3D and has a strong passion for furniture design. In recent years, Eugene has primarily been working with cardboard, creating full head masks reminiscent of various recognizable animals and other creatures. The cardboard in each mask is left bare, creating a unique skeletal effect exposing the materials and process to the viewer.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EEw1TZjmp28/UNFLOkcjw3I/AAAAAAAAALY/5XaKbdGBeX0/s1600/2012+10+11+-+From+Cardboard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EEw1TZjmp28/UNFLOkcjw3I/AAAAAAAAALY/5XaKbdGBeX0/s640/2012+10+11+-+From+Cardboard.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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From Cardboard at MANTA Contemporary in October 2012. </div>
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Eugene included a collection of five large cardboard fabricated masks both wearable and decorative for our October exhibit titled, "From Cardboard" due to the lengthy history of the material in Eugene's trade and the importance it plays in his work today.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-biUXrWRo8Bc/UNFLMFRM8NI/AAAAAAAAALA/xDiLuj8ZmBI/s1600/2012+10+11+-+Crazy+From+Cardboard+-+Cockatoo+and+Ramasaurus+Rex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-biUXrWRo8Bc/UNFLMFRM8NI/AAAAAAAAALA/xDiLuj8ZmBI/s400/2012+10+11+-+Crazy+From+Cardboard+-+Cockatoo+and+Ramasaurus+Rex.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Crazy Cockatoo and Ramasaurus Rex </div>
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For more of Eugene's work go to <a href="http://www.eugenepaunil.com/">www.eugenepaunil.com</a>. Manta Contemporaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099141479344758031noreply@blogger.com0Manta Contemporary, 51 King William Street, Hamilton, ON L8R 1H1, Canada43.2570684 -79.86693170000000943.2570684 -79.866931700000009 43.2570684 -79.866931700000009tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2896758172235914917.post-26482391789346465242012-11-18T20:32:00.004-05:002013-01-23T17:20:14.807-05:00Free Hamilton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qclrTWpXBLU/UKlw_mOb77I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/GSe7hQ5jtqY/s1600/2012+10+03+-+Free+Detroit+Wall+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qclrTWpXBLU/UKlw_mOb77I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/GSe7hQ5jtqY/s200/2012+10+03+-+Free+Detroit+Wall+1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VgvCtOawIGQ/UKlxBR9dq4I/AAAAAAAAAJY/zJFcu2HgtVE/s1600/2012+10+03+-+Free+Detroit+Wall+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VgvCtOawIGQ/UKlxBR9dq4I/AAAAAAAAAJY/zJFcu2HgtVE/s200/2012+10+03+-+Free+Detroit+Wall+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Did anybody else this notice this?</div>
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I don't think it existed for any longer than couple of days. </div>
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Designed and painted to further enrich the corner of Colbourne and James with the grit of Detroit for a RoboCop setting. The mural was more than just a backdrop for a movie set, it proved to be an interesting addition as an authentic looking vandalized wall created of fictional tags and bombing foreign to Hamilton's street art community. It goes to say that regardless of taste, if you have the money and permission for a mural, anything goes. Even if it looks like it was peeled off the dilapidated backside of a distant city. The mural's lifespan was short, as it was blasted from its surface only days after it was painted. Like any other artistic contribution to the city, this mural required a great deal of time and expertise, which made me wonder... what would it take for the community to embrace this?</div>
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I assume a collaboration of the city's broken window paranoia syndrome and the community's patriotic displeasure of having a piece of Motown on their favourite part of James Street could have only resulted in a quick ending. However, picturing a circumstance in the which the mural might have been allowed to stay wouldn't be that hard, but it would have had to adhere to a lot of demands. I can just imagine the higher echelons high-fiving over an agreement to cover the word Detroit with Hamilton and coordinating the local schools to contribute their anti-bullying awareness campaigns as a series of brightly painted silhouettes of children holding hands or painted plywood scraps cut out in the shapes of fish.</div>
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A shockingly realistic mural of illegal graffiti could help open the dialogue about aesthetics, boundaries and censorship in our culture. The majority of permitted graffiti murals are very carefully curated and never accurately represent the roots of the discipline. An approved mural of vandalism, could perhaps be the avant-garde pylon that Hamilton has been waiting for, smack dab in the centre of the art crawl too! </div>
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All artistic criticism aside, keeping a mural of this sort as a token of the film industry's hard work and growing precedence in our community can be thought of as a souvenir. The development of a city with the quirky odds and ends of Hollywood props scattered about could prove itself to be great treasure hunt for tourists.</div>
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When it all comes down to it, the fate of the Free Detroit mural would ultimately have been between the property owner and production company, and I imagine it would not be in the best interests of either to keep it, but I think it has allowed us the opportunity to see the versatility of our walls. As building owners shuffle and gentrification begins to set in, Hamilton will soon house an expansive array of mural venues, and the creditability of Hamilton's emerging art scene will likely rest on the first impressions of its art in the public view. </div>
<br />Manta Contemporaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099141479344758031noreply@blogger.com0275 James Street North, Hamilton, ON L8L 1H3, Canada43.2642384 -79.865638812.575604900000002 -121.1742328 73.9528719 -38.5570448tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2896758172235914917.post-43656843708741817422012-11-16T18:22:00.002-05:002013-01-23T17:28:41.142-05:00September Events<br />
As busy as we had been in September, there was more to come.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IvSyEjTVCJo/UKatEjEffCI/AAAAAAAAAIk/OmLJ1Ydy-mM/s1600/2012+09+23+-+Open+Streets+400ft+hopscotch+to+Hughson.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IvSyEjTVCJo/UKatEjEffCI/AAAAAAAAAIk/OmLJ1Ydy-mM/s400/2012+09+23+-+Open+Streets+400ft+hopscotch+to+Hughson.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Open Streets Hamilton</span><br />
Sunday, September 23rd <br />
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The day was off to a chilly start as people leisurely began appearing on the streets. James Street North was closed to regular traffic and being so close to the south end of the road closure, we were only able to witness the action from one end.<br />
The festival was intended to promote people to leave their cars behind for a day and actively walk or bike to reacquaint themselves with downtown Hamilton.<br />
Overall, after a bustling Super Crawl, Open Streets is a great idea and successful attempt at luring folks away from sluggish Sunday routines.<br />
With no time to coordinate with the organizers, we still made time to contribute. After an hour and a few boxes of sidewalk chalk we added a hopscotch from James to Hughson Street. The only thing more rewarding than watching an overly ambitious jumper hop eagerly for a block, is being that person and completing it flawlessly!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">King William Art Walk</span><br />
Saturday, September 29th<br />
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An exciting feature about moving to King William Street was surprisingly hearing about the Art Walk. The James Street Art Crawl has proven itself a great success for many years now and smart investment among those in control has been to help branch off of James' good fortune. King William being so close to the downtown is a great candidate to help move things east and strengthen the downtown core. The unfortunate use of King William as the 'back-alley parking lot' street should see its end nearing. Hopefully, we can encourage walks and crawls onto Barton and King too.<br />
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Although small, this year's Art Walk proved to be a success as a crowd gathered and moved about down the street jumping from installation to installation with exhibitors discussing their work. As soon as we learned about the Art Walk in August we excitedly requested to participate and gathered some artists together to take part. After never hearing back from organizers we continued to coordinate our own plans. Two days prior we had an installation artist restlessly awaiting response, two performance artists falling back on the gallery as a venue and a full exhibition of new artwork on the gallery walls ready. On the day of, the space directly in front of the gallery was issued to a participating artist and we still had heard no response leaving us with no jurisdiction to install or perform. In a matter of minutes, the walk was directed to the exhibit that was placed in front of the gallery and directed to proceed down the street to the next exhibit on their pamphlets. Fortunately, the curious ones didn't miss us, and surely came back. Despite having lost the presence of our three artists after the Art Walk, we welcomed anyone who wanted to check out our brand new art gallery on their route. We are always more than ready to take part in art events in our area, especially if they are scheduled to stop in front of our business. After trying to further explore the miscommunication we were greeted with shrugged shoulders and a circle of pointed fingers. Although disappointed, we were not really upset at anybody's decisions, but we truly hope we can all come together in the future to help better organize events of this sort so streets like King William can truly flourish and prove its potential. The next time a new art gallery opens during an art event, we want to help them take part. Thanks to the curious ones who looked beyond the boundaries, keep looking around the corners every art crawl and we can branch out our community.Manta Contemporaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099141479344758031noreply@blogger.com0Manta Contemporary, 51 King William Street, Hamilton, ON L8R 1H1, Canada43.2570684 -79.86693170000000943.2570234 -79.867010700000009 43.2571134 -79.86685270000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2896758172235914917.post-5212309128753387462012-11-14T22:31:00.000-05:002013-01-23T17:43:11.327-05:00MEGACOSMSSeptember 14 - October 7, 2012<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDgxpxiixfQ/UKRXsk6ViyI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/42GNyDoPBrs/s1600/2012+09+18+-+Megacosms+at+night.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDgxpxiixfQ/UKRXsk6ViyI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/42GNyDoPBrs/s640/2012+09+18+-+Megacosms+at+night.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We had short notice on taking up the lease for the gallery and even shorter notice to assemble a collection of art to show. As a practicing artist myself, I was anticipating the moment I would be in dire need and developed a collection of work over the summer to show in case of these circumstances.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ByWovb8Q07I/UKQ52HLJf6I/AAAAAAAAAHk/lvL1KJLwu-w/s1600/2012+09+14+-+Megacosms+%2528The+Cycle+Period%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Df0yePLY1x4/UKQ5-AfOH8I/AAAAAAAAAH8/x3O4Q-uqByk/s1600/2012+09+14+-+Megacosms++%2528Rapid+Static%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Df0yePLY1x4/UKQ5-AfOH8I/AAAAAAAAAH8/x3O4Q-uqByk/s400/2012+09+14+-+Megacosms++%2528Rapid+Static%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Titled Megacosms as a reference to the many geographical drawings that oftentimes resemble floating worlds or organisms on white backgrounds. There were 29 drawings in total, drawn in ink on paper, then mounted on wood panels of all different sizes.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QBteMgK0vec/UKQ580RvvjI/AAAAAAAAAH0/REWwnJvDCpc/s1600/2012+09+14+-+Megacosms+%2528Stability%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QBteMgK0vec/UKQ580RvvjI/AAAAAAAAAH0/REWwnJvDCpc/s400/2012+09+14+-+Megacosms+%2528Stability%2529.jpg" width="395" /></a></div>
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After spending many years experimenting with the design and construction
of many map-like and cellular drawings and installations, I have
decided to integrate a stronger colour theory to my work to help
emphasize certain aspects. Previously when showing my Germination collection in
2011, colour was merely supplemented by a select few pieces
to maintain a strong focus on forms and patterns of growth. Lately, I have been drawn closely to the relations between
colours used in my recent work and how they relate to the different
surrounding shapes and forms. This time around, I am really looking at the various
perspectives from microscopic to intergalactic. It is interesting to see
where the viewers see themselves in relation.<br />
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Inevitably, such detailed works are a subject from many outlying influences. A large variety of imagery comes to mind when thinking of visual inspiration, but to name a few I would start by stating what many claim to be the obvious. Maps. Yes, they tend to be among my primary interests when creating these works, and not just regular old cartography, I mean everything geography. From tectonics and geological observations to urban planning and infrastructure design, I can stare at maps from morning till night. Geography has been a huge interest of my since I was just a pod. That being said though, I can not justify maps as the sole influence in my work. A great deal of passion for me when looking at maps are the inherent comparisons between both natural and human growths existing harmoniously. Or, sometimes seen in other perspectives as a parasitic relationship, but I am not going to get into that right now, the point is I have many other influences, I swear. For a look at more organic patterns I often look at biology diagrams and for more technical reference I turn to circuitry design. I also draw a lot of ideas from previous work in architectural and graphic design studies and a vast interest graffiti too. All of those little details and accents that give life its attitude and style are what put me in danger of crossing the street without looking. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ByWovb8Q07I/UKQ52HLJf6I/AAAAAAAAAHk/lvL1KJLwu-w/s1600/2012+09+14+-+Megacosms+%2528The+Cycle+Period%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ByWovb8Q07I/UKQ52HLJf6I/AAAAAAAAAHk/lvL1KJLwu-w/s640/2012+09+14+-+Megacosms+%2528The+Cycle+Period%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Overall, to many, these new works may seem like a very colourful new rendition of the previous black and white drawings I have made in 2011. However, when looking closer, there is a stark difference in the line work techniques used and a stronger general feeling of motion among the Megacosms drawings compared to the Germination drawings. I believe I have found new ground in producing a much faster and more dynamic body of drawings with bright colours and long sharp stretching shapes, and I plan to take it much further. In fact, I have already started, I actually have several new drawings at my side right now for my newest series titled Tranmission, an in depth examination of a more aggressive and intense adaptation of both Megacosms and Germination.<br />
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Unfortunately, this blog entry is long overdue, so I can't just say go check it out, but I can drop you some links. The Transmission collection won't show its face until late 2013, but there will be a brief preview in Toronto this weekend and Megacosms will resurface this coming spring at Rebecca Gallery in Toronto. Send me an email if you are interested.<br />
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Email me at stephen@sseguin.com.<br />
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To see the full Megacosms collection click <a href="http://sseguin.com/7/black/bmegacosms.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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To see the full Germination collection click <a href="http://sseguin.com/7/black/bgermination.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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To see more of my art visit <a href="http://www.sseguin.com/">www.sseguin.com</a>. Manta Contemporaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099141479344758031noreply@blogger.com051 King William Street, Hamilton, ON L8R 1H1, Canada43.2570684 -79.86693170000000943.2570684 -79.866931700000009 43.2570684 -79.866931700000009tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2896758172235914917.post-91197369136717681842012-11-12T23:34:00.004-05:002013-01-23T17:45:47.128-05:00Grand OpeningFriday, September 14, 2012<br />
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6:45pm - Last minute cleaning has pushed itself late into the early hours of the crawl. Tensions ran high and the race to hang all of the art as soon as possible became a struggle as crawlers began peering through the slits of the paper covering the windows with an odd tug at the door handle.<br />
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7:30pm - Unveiling began and in flowed the curious people. <br />
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Saturday, September 15, 2012<br />
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Day 2 proved itself the most popular among the crawlers, there was probably 5 times more people than the Friday.<br />
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The gallery swelled with large crowds of people washing in and out like waves well into the late evening. Loud bass, balloons popping and the sounds of dozens of simultaneous conversations became the ambient tone over the weekend. Like music to our ears, the combination of relaxing from the week's hard work and finally opening to the warm air and droves of excited people was the utmost rewarding feeling.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QGHwtVrAdNw/UKHGmXUvzUI/AAAAAAAAAGM/uJ3wJkZ1Yg4/s1600/2012+09+14+-+Megacosms+(Stability).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hmEl7IPFG4I/UKHG6-t19-I/AAAAAAAAAGs/nH6JVuQwfHE/s1600/2012+09+14+-+Super+Crawl+grand+opening.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hmEl7IPFG4I/UKHG6-t19-I/AAAAAAAAAGs/nH6JVuQwfHE/s200/2012+09+14+-+Super+Crawl+grand+opening.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DPRRoqAc3I/UKHG8nDz_4I/AAAAAAAAAG8/CEby3fsq6HY/s1600/2012+09+15+-+Super+Crawl+at+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DPRRoqAc3I/UKHG8nDz_4I/AAAAAAAAAG8/CEby3fsq6HY/s200/2012+09+15+-+Super+Crawl+at+night.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jbEtIc3kWQg/UKHG74BRW2I/AAAAAAAAAG0/OiRplVkKkug/s1600/2012+09+14+-+The+end+of+day+one.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jbEtIc3kWQg/UKHG74BRW2I/AAAAAAAAAG0/OiRplVkKkug/s400/2012+09+14+-+The+end+of+day+one.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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An F for getting things done on time but a A for being
open for the Super Crawl. We apologize to anyone who may been on the
other side of the glass during those early hours that never had the
chance to visit.Manta Contemporaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099141479344758031noreply@blogger.com051 King William Street, Hamilton, ON L8R 1H1, Canada43.2570684 -79.86693170000000943.2570684 -79.866931700000009 43.2570684 -79.866931700000009tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2896758172235914917.post-82075193970373350742012-11-12T22:41:00.000-05:002013-01-23T17:49:29.163-05:00Renovations BeginEarly September shows its face and 51 King William still sits as a compartmentalized collection of rooms. A quick ambitious decision arose to make one big room and before anything else could be said transformations had already begun.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8BtGR_r5_QI/UKG1q6BRZfI/AAAAAAAAAFU/xYbr3krYzcA/s1600/2012+09+08+-+Taking+down+the+walls+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8BtGR_r5_QI/UKG1q6BRZfI/AAAAAAAAAFU/xYbr3krYzcA/s320/2012+09+08+-+Taking+down+the+walls+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Although pressed for time to open for the Super Crawl in one week, carefully dismantling the walls was crucial to save extra resources for later. </div>
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A five person team working around the clock created an ongoing mess. </div>
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Finishing touches on trim and flooring.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cUFTewkCVrQ/UKG1pvByXhI/AAAAAAAAAFM/-Os305SqTzc/s1600/2012+09+08+-+Patching+up+the+walls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cUFTewkCVrQ/UKG1pvByXhI/AAAAAAAAAFM/-Os305SqTzc/s320/2012+09+08+-+Patching+up+the+walls.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Although unfinished, with only one day remaining, renovations are wrapping up. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o0ezH0btiJs/UKG8GaegN0I/AAAAAAAAAF0/pKq9US-oUbg/s1600/2012+09+11+-+Ready+to+go.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o0ezH0btiJs/UKG8GaegN0I/AAAAAAAAAF0/pKq9US-oUbg/s320/2012+09+11+-+Ready+to+go.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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New floors, new walls, trim, lighting and a fresh coat of paint adorn the new space as it sits empty on Super Crawl eve only hours away from installing the very first exhibit. </div>
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<br />Manta Contemporaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099141479344758031noreply@blogger.com051 King William Street, Hamilton, ON L8R 1H1, Canada43.2570684 -79.86693170000000943.2570684 -79.866931700000009 43.2570684 -79.866931700000009tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2896758172235914917.post-56781920128488640252012-10-25T19:52:00.000-04:002013-01-23T17:54:53.035-05:00The Beginning<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b>AUGUST</b></span> (<span style="font-size: x-small;">the treasure hunt)</span><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Right off the top, I will say it... Hamilton is an awesome city. It is blossoming with potential, especially for artists. Rent is cheap and the community is tight!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Upon finding a little niche just off James Street North, we found an
abundance of inspiration in turning an old storefront into a vibrant
and creative new art gallery on King William Street.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">King William Street from Jackson Square - August 2012 </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">King William is the next street north of King and it branches off of James at the historic Lister Block. It is steps away from anything and everything that is in downtown Hamilton and it is full of beautiful architecture with deep layers of history from the city's ups and downs. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Only 5 doors east of Hughson Street is number 51.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Already vacant, the storefront boasted nice huge windows that were just asking to expose some new creative endeavor.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The space was a narrow 13 feet at its widest and just a little under 50 feet deep broken into several small rooms. It needed work and it would be a stretch to finish in time for the Hamilton Super Crawl, but nevertheless a challenge we were willing to accept.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">51 King William Street vacant - August 2012</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shortly before September, we decided to take it upon ourselves to lease this sucker and give it life once again.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>SEPTEMBER</b></span> (crunch time)</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Time to determine how and what we would need to do <span style="font-size: x-small;">in the next week and a h<span style="font-size: x-small;">alf before <span style="font-size: x-small;">the doors can open to the 2012 Super Crawl.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bQtlOQsQt74/UInI185hpfI/AAAAAAAAAEA/8uN106JBp6o/s1600/2012+09+05+-+Melody+planning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bQtlOQsQt74/UInI185hpfI/AAAAAAAAAEA/8uN106JBp6o/s320/2012+09+05+-+Melody+planning.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Melody contemplates plans for the space.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">To be continued...</span> </span></span></div>
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Manta Contemporaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099141479344758031noreply@blogger.com0Manta Contemporary, 51 King William Street, Hamilton, ON L8R 1H1, Canada43.2570684 -79.86693170000000943.2570234 -79.867010700000009 43.2571134 -79.86685270000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2896758172235914917.post-87999592924183206152012-10-18T23:15:00.000-04:002013-01-23T17:53:13.282-05:00Hello Hamilton!<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">MANTA Contemporary Art Gallery has a new home in the downtown core. Just one street north of the busy Gore Park we have nestled away a snug storefront on King William Street.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Let me introduce myself a little better.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My name is Stephen, and I am one half of MANTA. The other half goes by the name of Melody.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You are bound to hear and see a lot more about us and the gallery on our blog.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We have been open for just a little over a month now so I will have to backtrack a ways to fill everyone in on what happened from the beginning.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stay tuned<span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the meantime, come check us out in person at:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">51 King William Street</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hamilton, ON</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">L8R 1A2</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">or online at:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://mantacontemporary.com/">mantacontemporary.com</a></span></span></div>
Manta Contemporaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099141479344758031noreply@blogger.com051 King William St, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A243.2570465 -79.866907343.255601 -79.869374799999989 43.258492000000004 -79.8644398