It's here again: Nuit Blanche - the Toronto chapter. This time it's 2010.
When I participated in its first year at Toronto, an amusing thing happened to me.
I was looking for a specific Nuit Blanche site/event - on the map it clearly showed its location at Queen and McCaul. I can't remember the assigned number for this site/event so let's just refer to it as exhibit A. I walked up and down Queen as well as McCaul three times and each time I couldn't find anything that looked remotely like art. I am not an art expert by any means, but I do know an art exhibit when I see one; and I tell you: there was nothing!
Finally, I noticed there was someone who looked like a volunteer for Nuit Blanche standing on the corner and I thought, "Wonderful! I can finally find this thing." I waited for my turn to speak to her as there were two others already engaged in discussion with her. I noticed, while waiting, that she was dressed very MEC (outdoorsy). She was just over middle age and seemed pleasant. The shell jacket she wore made me think she was going hiking in the woods, except she wore Birkenstock sandals (I believe)...these should have been a clear warning sign for what was to come, actually.
After the two people left, I approached her and asked:
"Excuse me, where is exhibit A?"
"I am exhibit A".
"...." (just stared at her for any hint that she was joking; nothing, she was dead serious).
"Ok...so where is the art work?"
"Well, first I tell you a story..."
"Yes."
"Then, you tell me a story."
"Yes."
"And in this exchange, we share an experience. This is art."
"..." (mind was racing on how I could get out of this one)
Thank goodness someone came and interrupted and I used my Ninja skills to disappear like lightening.
What a strange experience - she had me baffled for a bit, but perhaps there was something there...after all, this was a long time ago, but I still clearly remember it.
Just thought I'd share.
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