Jeff Downer is one of Sad Mag’s best-loved photographers; his work was featured in our Transplant Issue no.9 and Downer will be showcasing his work at Gallery 295 from June 7-July 6 2013.
As a part of a curated exhibition featuring five emerging Vancouver photographers, Downer will have his work not only highlighted, but also judged by a panel of judges from The Presentation House Gallery and The Vancouver Art Gallery. Based purely on creative merit, this show features some of Vancouver’s finest.
INDEX is the gallery’s first annual juried exhibition of emerging artists working within the medium of photography and its focus on emerging artists is particularly encouraging for an arts scene that keeps losing momentum in the city. Exploring trends and the nuanced nature of the practice, these artists will be highlighted as some of Vancouver’s most up-and-coming in one of the art scene’s hidden gallery spaces. Head down to Gallery 295 on Main St. on June 7 for the opening reception.
Sad Mag: Who are you?
Jeff Downer: I am an introverted, intuitive, feeling and perceiving being amidst a world of commotion and automation. I may go for long periods without noticing a stain on the carpet, but will carefully and meticulously brush a speck of dust off my project agenda.
I am also a recent photography graduate of an art school.
SM: You’ve gone to school in Canada and the States and have been a part of exhibitions around the world. Where do you consider home?
JD: Home changes depending on where I aim to live.
I once found myself stranded in the Kansas city airport lying under the cool rustling of plastic ferns, listening to the mechanical sounds of the escalator, and thought, in between consciousness as I tried to sleep, I am “home.”
However, home could also be the place that is so familiar to you, that you know who is going to ring up your tall-can at the liquor store, who will pass you on the bike ride home, and that it is obviously a condominium development that is tearing up another interesting block.
This is also the place where your friends know you too well and your own history with the place runs deep.
Vancouver is this place for me.
SM: What inspires your work?
JD: The everyday.
The subject of the Everyday summons notions of normality, daily life and banality in our society as themes to work with. Portraying such themes does not mean creating rather boring or bland art, on the contrary, I believe that such themes can be subversive and thought-provoking when thought of as a direct response to the blandness and homogeneity of our culture, suburban culture in particular.
It is part of a peripheral culture that is not trying to be distinct from others, but is one, that is a product of mainstream influences and daily living.
SM: What is your favourite photograph?
JD: Vancouver photographer, Roy Arden’s “Monster House, Coquitlam BC 1996”, because in one photograph, Arden was able to combine the everyday, the sublime and a modern critique of our culture.
SM: How did you get involved with Sad Mag?
JD: You guys actually found me. I was living in Cambridge and received an email from a friend who got me in touch with Katie Stewart. You were working on an issue called “Transplant,” a concept that I was right in the middle of, so it was perfect.
SM: What makes Vancouver rival it’s “no fun” reputation?
JD: The fact that everyone you know is in it together. And because of this, we are able to build a strong music scene, art scene, and circle of interesting individuals that keep things afloat.
SM: Is the Vancouver arts scene as dead as some people describe?
JD: Well, yes and no. If you are not friends with or going to school with any artists that are exhibiting, have a studio space, or a gallery of their own, then it will be harder to break into the “scene.”
Here, there seems to be a resurgence of interest in curating independent or emerging artists lately, which is a step in the right direction. However, because of our current rent prices, it is virtually impossible to run a little independent gallery that isn’t subsidized by the government.
SM: What’s the best arts venue in Vancouver?
JD: I would have to say the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery out at UBC. Vancouver also is lucky to have a number of artist-run-centers with a lot of interesting and thought-provoking shows.
SM: Where are you as you answer these questions?
JD: I am in my apartment with my cat, drinking iced-coffee, and listening to a number of tapes my friend Amanda let me borrow. Currently Martha and the Muffins “Metro Music” 1979.
SM: What are you most excited about right now?
JD: The end of being a student to give me time to live and be an artist. And where I will go next.
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The thought of fumbling through the DIY mechanisms of indie productions maintains a certain taste of romanticism, and even more so with Top Less. The band puts their own apparel together, and although their costumes are not their sole identifier, they are all hallmark.
I’d lived in Vancouver my whole life, but I’d never seen anything like this.
This group of party enthusiasts is dedicated to throwing public dance parties in public spaces, welcoming everyone into their celebration as they go. After just a few minutes at the party, I could see that the DDP had an incredible ability to bring people together, and out of their social shells. The main goal was to drop the standard of social behaviour and just have fun. You can be whoever you like and express yourself however you like, as long as it is peaceful and safe. By upholding this value the DDP creates a positive atmosphere that is impossible to destroy and gives everyone the opportunity to participate. Whether you stumble upon the party and want to let your hair down, or if you are a DDP veteran and want to put on a show of your own, everyone is welcome and able to truly be themselves.
You wouldn’t know it to look at her piercings and aqua locks, coiffed by electric shock, but Draven didn’t see a mohawk until she was 15.
Moonshine is not a type of liquor, it’s a catch-all term for any spirit that has been made illegally or by using a backyard still. Whiskey, rum, brandy, vodka are all commonly referred to as moonshine if they meet the basic requirement that they are made by some guy in his backyard. People think of moonshine and 90% alcohol comes to mind (also its terrible taste). It’s true, what comes out of our still is that strong, but we pay close attention to taste and fermentation. We water it down and charcoal filter it. Finally, we age with fresh fruit and toasted oak chips to give it flavour. It doesn’t taste like a commercial product. It tastes more personal and not as neatly categorized as liquor store aisles.
