STICKY IMPULSE ARCHIVE NIGHTS ARCHIVE
Until April 14, 2020
“a pillar of Vancouver’s Video In and queer video circle…celebrated for his confrontational aesthetics of sexual and social outsiderdom.”
– MediaQueer
Artist’s Message
WOW. The energy back then, when I made these tapes, sure is apparent when finally watching them some 20, 25 and 30 years later. This work was made in heady and scary times. We (at Video Inn) were in the grips of fighting censorship and working with issues like sexuality, self-determination/ representation, body politic, labour rights, AIDS and issues of race, among others.
Most of the work here was made in somewhat of a collaborative spirit. I had to draw on my immediate environments to make it happen and had the luck to be surrounded by a thriving network of other artists, audio composers, technicians and support. The international, national and local art communities were all extremely active in pursuing a safe space to be able to create and exhibit in.
Each of these videos are a roadmap into my personal life and what was going on at that time – navigating and contextualizing my way thru my queer youth, surrounded by many toxic elements: hate, fear and of course love. The political state, social climate, the advancement in media tools, the explosion of new formats on TV such as music video, the ‘clip’ all played a part.
This body of work was all made pre-mass internet and smart phones, a time of low-res tech, which is apparent in each video. We knew back then that all of this video art was going to fade away at some point. I am thankful that VIVO has taken on my archive and digitally preserved and presented it here. Finally, a place for it to live on. Enjoy.
Select Videos 1986-1996
[High Definition version]
Rise and Fall of an Empire
1986
Youth culture and its posture and effect on overt consumerism. Centering on the rise and demise of the punk/new wave scene, exploring tribal decoration and the exterior facade of youth culture, Sarahan usesinterviews, arresting imagery and music, to make us feel the desperation, angst, and decadence inherent in all reactionary youth cultures.
Holy Joe
1987
A searing vision of mass culture in a contemporary society. Holy Joe is a fast paced collage that dislocates our pre-described fetishistic response to religion, ritual and vice. This tape also challenges the seduction of consumerism and the media’s manipulation of the politics of sexual preference and class i.d.
One Hour of Peace
1987
Commissioned single-channel video installation. An ambient video of the common graphic form of the peace symbol, simply intended to convey the idea of peace. Originally installed in a house on East 11th Avenue, Vancouver. A monitor was mounted on a porta-stand in the front window facing the street. Also exhibited in the Netherlands.
III
1989 French
The camera examines three subjects – a race car driver, a boxer and a fencer – giving them equal air time and reveling in seductive images of each sport. In An effort to dismantle cultural stereotypes of masculinity and question our relationship to television.
Produced at Le Videographe, Montreal
Dave
1991
Co-production with Paul Wong
A grave-side interview with the mother of a dead biker. The profusion of flowers and the mother s memories provide a powerful insight into the cult of a hero.
CURSE of the HOMO
1993
5 channel video and sculpture installation
CURSE of the HOMO premiered in Vancouver at the (then) Pitt Gallery in February 1993 and then toured to Gallery Saw in Ottawa, February 1996.
Included video loops – ADAM/ADAM, BOXED, INFESTED FAGGOT, FIREWORKS and FLICKER.
“The installation “Curse of the Homo”, is an in-depth examination about ignorance and intolerance towards queer existence, combined with components of gay reality and the AIDS crisis. This installation manifests how the artist concerns himself with loss and fragility, queer identity, homophobia, the plague as an identifier, death and disease.” “The viewer is immediately “kicked” as they enter the installation, which is like crawling into the pith of darkness and terror. Several sculpture objects are framed by three video monitors, a plinth and a barrage of sound. The totality of the room is black and threatening. The lighting is faint. The installation is surround sound and visuals. Everywhere you look there is something going on, you can’t ignore the impact on your body, mind, even your soul.” excerpt from the Gallery SAW catalogue; Dana Claxton, Curator.
West Coast Homo Love Story – Sticky Reprise
1994
Following a sailor’s journey, this semi-narrative, way-out, psycho-drama flips homo-erotic stereotypes on their head while exploring detachment, silence and loss. A thoroughly campy west coast work by one of Vancouver’s infamous queer artists.
