John Greyson

The exhibition *Public Domain* presents work by artists who propose to reclaim the public domain for art. For gallery goers, it brings into the gallery setting works of art that were created for presentation in the public sphere. The exhibition also provides an opportunity for audiences to view new work by Vancouver artists in non-gallery spaces around the city.

*Public Domain* is a timely exhibition. The City of Vancouver is in the middle of developing municipal policy on the placement and funding of public art. The show also coincides with Simon Fraser University's summer intensive on The Problematics of Public Art, and with the Vancouver Art Gallery's lecture series on Art and Society.

There are five artists/artist groups in *Public Domain*. John Greyson's film *The Making of Monsters* is a musical about anti-gay violence, produced at the Canadian Center for Advanced
Film Studies in Toronto. Sara Diamond's *Lull Before the Storm*, first produced for Knowledge Network, Vancouver is presented here with the addition of a “slide commentary.” Paper Tiger Television, based in New York City, broadcasts its work on Manhattan Cable. PTT has four programs here, two of which are part of the Gulf Crisis TV Project the collective has been working on since the outbreak of the Gulf war.

The Association for Noncommercial Culture is presenting material about their *Private Addresses* project which is currently underway in nine residential yards throughout Vancouver. Anne Ramsden's *Window* uses the Contemporary Art Gallery's two street-front windows to present the fetishized side of fashion.

*Public Domain* received equipment loans from the Emily Carr College of Art and Design, Simon Fraser University and the Video Inn. The Contemporary Art Gallery is also grateful for the financial assistance of The Canada Council, the City of Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia, and the Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation.

Accompanied by symposium “Public Art! In Vancouver?” at SFU Harbour Centre on June 22, 1991
Panelists: Bill McLennan, jil p. weaving, Sandy Percival, Bryan Newson, Alan Storey
Happening concurrently with “Problematics of Public Art” by The Contemporary Arts Summer Institute, SFU, June 10 – 28, 1991


A gallery wall covered in 3 repeating images. One is a blueprint on orange paper, one is an illustration of a catfish on green paper and the other is a still from the film "The Making of the Monster."

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The wall of a gallery space is covered by pages of newspaper. At the base of the wall, there are three stacks of newspapers. A black rectangular tv sits on two of the stacks, playing a blurry video.

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A white wall in a gallery with dozens of different photos. Some are colour, some are black and white. The majority of the photos show the exterior of several different buildings. 

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The corner of a gallery with 9 works across both walls, The works are small house-shaped canvases with partial maps of Vancouver on them. On each canvas, there is a small red plagged pinned to it.

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In the corner of a gallery, there is a large piece of fabric painted as a home (with a window, bookshelf, and plant stand) hung on the wall. At the base of the wall, stacks of newspaper form a couch. 

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In the dark corner of a gallery space, there are two projectos and a small TV on plinths. Each of the devices plays a different video. Four chairs sit between the plinths, facing the projections.

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A closeup on an artwork in a window display. The work has two ties, a pair of pantyhose and a belt hanging from a rod. A photo of these items in the background. Large text on the bottom reads "Dress!"

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The facade of a gallery, with artworks in the window display. The works in the windows consist of garments hanging on metal rods, including pantyhose, neckties, a belt, and a bright green dress. 

John Greyson

Exhibitions