BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS at Zsa Zsa (962 Queen West), through August 30. 416-537-3814. Rating: NNNNN Rating: NNNNN
After seven colourful and sparkly years, Zsa Zsa has run her course. Citing the stresses of organizing a party for new roommates every two weeks, unsinkable owner Andrew Harwood says he will continue to co-organize the Toronto Alternative Art Fair International and to produce his own work.
Zsa Zsa’s last show, Bedknobs And Broomsticks , features a close-knit bunch of artists.
Will Munro puts a sharp twist on camp’s double meaning with the ultimate symbol of crafty Christian kitsch. Wrapping four hatchets together in brown, orange and yellow yarn, Munro gives us what may be the world’s first lethal God’s eye.
Combining fur trade iconography and 70s disco, Maryanne Barkhouse has installed an entire dance floor called Night Beaver. Many things that we expect will eventually disappear – such as beavers, fur fashion and disco – simply never do.
Fastwürms take over the front window with a collection of odd, creepy objects like ceramic toadstools, fake cakes, birds and little hydro-stone owls.
The bizarre, dream-like theme continues in the basement, where a day-glo green and indigo painting on black velvet of two witches beaming down to the moon of another planet is illuminated by black light.
For Squirrel Lover, Allyson Mitchell has stitched fun fur and real taxidermy eyes and nose onto an old rug to depict a sasquatch, mouth agape, enamoured of a friendly squirrel.
Harwood himself delivers a series of Cobweb Glamour Hankies made out of hot glue.
Poignantly, Harwood tells me he used up all of his remaining stash of sparkles and sequins to make them. Buy one. They go for $50, are indeed very glamorous, and Harwood will need the cash for more sparkles, not to mention future ventures.
Christina Zeidler , R.M. Vaughan and Michael Belmore also contribute works to this terrific show.
Indulge me in a five-N salute to Zsa Zsa in the throes of her last hurrah.
art@nowtoronto.com
