Q&A: Jeremy Laing talks about his latest project–an art shop
By Corrine Aberdeen
Canadian fashion darling Jeremy Laing has donned a new, but equally creative hat by curating a special project for the Toronto International Art Fair (October 20 to November 1, from $16, tiafair.com).
Everything Must Go is a shop within the festival, and was inspired by end-of-season and liquidation sales. It is as much an ode to the aesthetics of merchandising as it is to the art being showcased. From shelves and fixtures designed by artists to the flyer-styled catalogue, each detail has been thoughtfully chosen to explore the exhibit’s themes–and everything is for sale. We asked Laing, via email, about his latest project.
How did this project come about? “I was approached by the Toronto International Art Fair and asked to put together an exhibit tying together ideas and themes around art and fashion however I saw fit.”
How would you describe Everything Must Go? “The exhibit is set up to resemble a boutique, and explores the language and aesthetic of salesmanship, and the art of the transaction.”
How did working on this project differ from your design process or any previous art projects? “Everything Must Go is the first art project that I’ve ‘curated’ instead of generated myself, or in collaboration with another artist.”
How were the artists chosen? “A lot of the artists in the exhibit are friends or people whose work I’ve been following and in some cases have collected. They were chosen for their work and it’s relationship to the themes of the exhibit.”
What’s the Everything Must Go message? “I wanted to explore the distinction between use value and artistic value, so all the work in the exhibit has the appearance of having a function other than being art. A lot of the work on display is made from readily available components like Ikea furniture or mannequin parts, so apart from their context most people wouldn’t recognize that the art is in fact art. I also wanted to draw attention to the art transaction, to apply the language of sales instead of hiding it, hence the catalogue styled as a sale or liquidation flyer.”
What’s next for you? “After the fair wraps we jump straight into Spring 2011 production and developing the Fall 2011 season. Our February show at New York Fashion Week is already fast approaching.”
Watch our interview with Jeremy Laing at Toronto Fashion Week»
The post Q&A: Jeremy Laing talks about his latest project–an art shop appeared first on FASHION Magazine.