MENTAL ILLNESS AND ADDICTION are fundamental parts of our human experience and they have always been difficult to present and discuss in the public arena. Fear and stigma routinely make accurate representations and presentations next to impossible. The vehicle through which mental illness and addiction are most often presented publicly…
Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival runs November 5th – 13th in Toronto, Ontario with over 20 programs of feature and short films on mental illness and addiction. Highlights of the festival include Le Dernier pour la Route (One for the Road), Rouge Ciel, Crooked Beauty, So You’re Going Crazy, My Suicide and the closing night gala The Man of a Thousand Songs featuring a live performance by Ron Hynes. In addition to films there are various Artist Talks discussing the connections between mental illness/addition and creativity which have free admission. Most films are $10 or 5 for $40 and can be purchased here. All programs at Workman Arts, 651 Dufferin St (except opening gala)
I think I’ve spent my entire life avoiding and running away from beige, the colour and everything it represents. Beige is conservative, beige is safe, beige is neutral, beige is understated, beige is simple, and beige is boring. Beige is not liberal, beige is not risky, beige is not strong, beige is not exaggerated, and beige is not interesting or creative.
Eminem’s “Not Afraid” video starts off with him standing on the rooftop of a skyscraper, looking down the street. He says “Yeah, It’s been a ride…I guess i had to go to that place to get to this one. Now some of you might still be in that place. If you’re trying to get out, just follow me. I’ll get you there”
Although “Why” by country artists Rascal Flatts was released in the fall of 2009, I only heard it for the first time today and was tearing up in seconds. The lyrics, the music, the voice and the video are all very powerful on the subject of suicide and what its like to be a loved one left behind.
Contemplative photography works with the synchronization of eye and mind. When eye and mind are in the same place the moment by moment vividness of the visual world manifests and is appreciated fully.