Rebranded as an experimental bookstore/library, the Victoria Arts Council’s Fort Street storefront presents a continuation of their Shelf Life project for Winter/Spring 2025. This time, ANOTHER SHELF LIFE, refocuses on printed matter and artistbooks in an expansive way, encompassing the entire venue.
Loosely themed from month to month, with rotating titles on offer, VAC’s executive director and curator of the project, Kegan McFadden, assembles interpretations of what makes a book and where printed matter enters the realm of contemporary art, all while presenting a dynamic new way of engaging with the local art scene.
Highlighting local artists/publishers/writers, on view throughout these monthly exhibitions will be limited edition artistbooks, printed matter, ephemera, and [un]related items of interest.
CHAPTER TWO: “A Little Sugar in My Bowl”
Made popular by two Black American female singers thirty years apart, the song that has inspired this selection was originally recorded by blues singer Bessie Smith in 1931, and later interpreted by Nina Simone as part of her Backlash Blues album released in the throes of the civil rights movement. In the context of Another Life, (a project centering publications and related artworks) might these lyrics be about sex and intimacy, or just wanting to be seen?
From Thursday 6 February – Sunday 2nd March, the second chapter of Another Life unfolds.Titled “A Little Sugar in My Bowl” this special presentation recognizes Black History Month and showcases printed matter and moving images by local and international artists.
Artists contributing to “A Little Sugar in My Bowl” include:
Aya Behr + Kemi Craig, Ingrid Mesquita, and Paul Mpagi Sepuya with publications on loan from Blackspace Library.
This chapter includes the re-staging of the mural by Ingrid Mesquita that previously graced the exterior of our Pat Martin Bates Gallery on Store Street, a curated selection of titles from Blackspace Library, and a special presentation of zines, printed matter, and monographs by LA-based artist Paul Mpagi Sepuya.
Screenings of experimental films at night in the windows of our Fort Street Project Space are presented with the financial support of the City of Victoria’s OUR DWTN IDEAS fund.
Films presented in conjunction with “A Little Sugar in My Bowl” included: Wash Over by Aya Behr, Praying for Time by Kriss Munsya, and Battle Cry by Rhonda Hackett.
CHAPTER ONE: MILE ZERO
Beginning Thursday 9 January, the first installment of Another Life is titled “MILE ZERO” and considers place and placelessness through the contemporary lens of printed matter and moving images.
Artists contributing to “Mile Zero” include:
John G Boehme, Cathy Busby, Jean Murray, Ed Ruscha, and Wendy Thompson, with additional publications by Ian Baxter&, Douglas Coupland, Ryan Foerster, Jeff Jones, Leah McInnis + David Peters, Tracy McMenemy, and others.
Screenings of experimental films at night in the windows of our Fort Street Project Space are presented with the financial support of the City of Victoria’s OUR DWTN IDEAS fund.
Films presented in conjunction with Mile Zero included:
Cake by Leah McInnis and David Peters, 200 Seconds on Scafe Hill by Nick Noble, and Anastomosis of Sunlit Generations by Jeffrey Ellom.
The Victoria Arts Council acknowledges the partnership with The Bay Centre, and funding from CRD Arts, BC Arts Council, and the Province of BC, as well as our Members for their support.