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Artist profile: Winston Hacking

An artist profile of Winston Hacking.

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Describe your process of creating a new piece. What materials do you normally work in?

I’m always collecting toys and other garbage from dollar stores and value village they are the starting point for most ideas.

From there I usually try and work in clay/plasticine elements to join pieces together to hopefully make them appear that they always existed that way. If they are going to be animated the pieces are made with moveable joints or pieces that can squirt, squish or explode. Films are usually a mash up of animations and found film+video, usually working with a small group of likeminded artists.

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What projects are you working on? What do you have coming up in terms of shows?

A video collage collaboration with Andrew Zukerman is screening March 7th at the Latvian House as a part of the Pleasure dome’s Toronto New Works series. It is a combination of animation, sculpture, paper collage and found videos. It is sort of a chaotic bubbling mess that becomes more interesting the more times you watch it. Right now I am into single frame compositions and editing that is rearranged over and over by different eyes and hands.

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Film Fort is a collaborative screening venue that takes place in studios/rooftops and sometimes in suburban parks (yes we actually screen the films in a giant fort). We screen alternative works from local artists as well as collectives from around the world. It’s just a small space to bring people together and perhaps melt their minds for an hour or two.

Our latest screening is happening March 7th as part of the Halo Halo Screen Printing Exhibition and Fundraiser. Alot of talented local artists are a part of this one. We are closing out the event with a collection of short films from Keita Kurosaksa, an amazing Japanese animator.

What are some of your favorite spots in the city?

For inspiration and cheap amusement I like going to the toy store on Church. If I am actually buying clothes I’ll go to my friends at Apt. 909, they have a knack for finding odd and rare pieces. In terms of DVD’s or books my first stop is Function 13, they have a lot of local artist’s work as well as rare DVD’s I could only find there! Food is a toss up, usually I am broke and living off of oatmeal, but if I have money to spend I am going to Nazareth for the Ethiopian Veggie Platter or Gandhi’s for a roti.

When are you most productive?

I thrive on the inspiration that other artists give me. Going to drawing jams or helping a friend do a print run always gives me good energy. I’m always checking out friend’s blogs, I find that the more work that people upload the more I feel the need to get projects finished!

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When did creating art become something important in your life?

I have had good and bad experiences working in film and television, and I just realized the importance of having your own creative projects that go beyond the restrictions of the industry and most importantly learning through collaborations. If I didn’t have side projects aside from the work I do to get paid, I think my brain and heart would shrivel up.

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What’s your current obsession? Artists, films, blogs?

In terms of artists, animator Bruce Bickford is top-notch Claymation psychedelia. We are hopefully doing Film Fort collaboration this summer! In terms of films, if you want weird 70’s Japanese horror check out the trailer for Hausu!

What is your favorite cheap eats? You know survival food for the starving artist?

Porridge.

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