{"id":44688,"date":"2020-02-03T18:32:56","date_gmt":"2020-02-03T23:32:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artoronto.ca\/?p=44688"},"modified":"2020-06-04T17:04:38","modified_gmt":"2020-06-04T21:04:38","slug":"interview-with-apollonia-vanova","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/v2.artoronto.ca\/?p=44688","title":{"rendered":"Interview with Apollonia Vanova about her new Sleepover Art Gallery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Apollonia Vanova, director of Darren Gallery<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview with Apollonia Vanova, director of Darren Gallery (AV) by Emese Krun\u00e1k-Hajagos (EKH)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

EKH: Darren Gallery is reopening after, as you\u2019ve\nsaid, a long and painful renovation with a new concept: Sleepover Art Gallery.\nWhere did this idea come from?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AV: The sleepover gallery concept came about from a variety of factors. It\u2019s difficult to sell art, as it’s not a life necessity and not a surprise when galleries close down after a few years. This is not exclusive to commercial art galleries – retail stores are going out of business all the time due to online shopping. People are also living in smaller spaces and not buying as much stuff. If one walks by a commercial art gallery, chances are it’s always stark and devoid of people, except the director sitting by their desk on the computer. If one musters up the courage to actually walk in, the feeling is usually cold, intimidating and uninviting. I wanted this gallery to be something different, different from the traditional ‘pictures on the wall’ gallery that’s devoid of people and empty of life. At Darren Gallery, I want the viewer to feel comfortable by providing a space where they can relax, sit down, lounge on a sofa, contemplate the work, read about the work and even sleep in its vicinity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is one significant phenomenon that stands out in our culture: people are always looking to experience new and interesting things – more so than ever before. This idea is confirmed by our online presence and Instagram culture, where we want to be seen at the most unique places, we want to experience unusual things etc. I would like to provide for my guests a unique art-fueled experience. Moreover, maybe it is time to break the old conventions. Why don\u2019t we try to observe the art alone with no witnesses, at 3 am, in the middle of a sleeping city. Make it a fully immersive and memorable experience!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Installation view of the Sleepover Art Gallery<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EKH: Could you please tell us more about the sleepover part?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AV: The gallery is on street level, with huge storefront windows covered with thick velvet blackout curtains for your privacy. The main gallery and exhibition space is punctuated by a couple of discreet (comfortable Twin XL high end memory foam) Murphy beds, surrounded by the art installation. The kitchenette, shower, closet and bathroom are located in the bright, newly renovated basement, where you will find towels, coffee, tea, for your overnight stay. Sorry – no TV, unless it\u2019s part of the installation as the focus is on the art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EKH: How will you select the people who will sleep in the gallery?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AV: Every person is welcome and one doesn\u2019t even have to be an art lover, but it would help if you were curious with an open mind. Overnight stays are limited to 2 guests per night as the gallery has only two beds. Obviously, there are the standard rules of: no smoking, vaping or partying. The gallery does take a refundable damage deposit to protect the artwork. The overnight stays can be booked by contacting the gallery directly, through our website as well as through AirBnb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EKH: Will the bed remain in the gallery through the\nday? Won\u2019t the place look more like a hotel room than a gallery? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

AV: Murphy beds are great: so discreet, and virtually blend into the wall.  They can also be used as \u201cwalls\u201d to break up the room and incorporate into the exhibition. The typical hotel room feeling comes from the \u2018typical hotel\u2019 d\u00e9cor. The gallery is nothing like a hotel. At Darren Gallery – artwork dominates the space and the furniture is minimal. If anything, the challenge has been more the other way around – that it doesn\u2019t feel enough like a hotel. How do you make a gallery with concrete floors and white walls feel warm, comfortable and inviting enough to sleep over? I am hoping, with selective furniture for lounging, comfortable mattress, ambiance and with a unique art exhibition, I can transform the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Installation view of Lum\u00edr Hlad\u00edk\u2019s Cozy Venom<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

EKH: Your first show, titled Cozy Venom<\/em> features Lum\u00edr Hlad\u00edk\u2019s work. How does this show fit into your concept?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

AV: Lumir is a Toronto based, Czech born, post WWII\nneo-Avant-garde artist, one of the pioneering creators of the 70s East European\ninstallation, action and performance art movement. Lumir\u2019s current work has a\nlot of unprecedented and unpredictable aspects. His material combinations are\ntotally unique. He also collaborates with living Canadian wildlife, such as\nBlack bears or fishers or birds\u2026 At his studio visit a few years ago, I was\nabsolutely mesmerized by the work – the symbolism, craftsmanship, attention to\ndetail, quality was unbelievable. We spent a few hours talking about it: it\u2019s\nso full of layers – including aspects of religion, science, quantum physics,\nsex, life, death, innocence, vulnerability…. The work is surreal and one can\ndraw a multitude of conclusions from one piece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cozy Venom<\/em> has a dreamy quality that fits nicely with the sleep over aspect.  Lumir is a museum caliber international\nartist and it\u2019s a wonderful opportunity to be able to spend time with the work\non such an intimate level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Installation view of Lum\u00edr Hlad\u00edk\u2019s Cozy Venom\ufeff<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

EKH: How does the artist feel about people sleeping in his exhibition? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

AV: The artists I have talked to have been very open minded to the idea. They like the concept of people experiencing their work on a more intimate level. It can start a new relationship, a dialog. Each individual show is 3 months long – which is also nice as their work will be seen by more people. Shared revenue from overnight stays is also a good thing. It supports their work by putting some money back in their pockets, without the pressure of having to sell anything. All the pieces are available for sale and while it would be wonderful to sell them, that\u2019s not the main purpose.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

EKH: What is your method in selecting artists for future exhibitions? Do you follow a theory, a theme or create one around the artist\u2019s work?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AV: Darren Gallery is interested in national as well as international artists with a strong body of work and exhibition history. Installations with a time element would be ideal, where something happens over a course of time, but we\u2019re open to anything that is visually groundbreaking, mesmerizing, interesting and transformative for the space. Darren Gallery would like to invite and encourage guest curators to reach out with exhibition submissions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo: Yianni Tong<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Exhibition information: February 6 \u2013 July 16, 2020, Opening night: February 5, 2020, 6 – 10 pm, Darren Gallery, 346 Margueretta Street, Toronto. Gallery hours: Sunday 12 \u2013 6 pm or by appointment only.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Emese Krun\u00e1k-Hajagos<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why don\u2019t we try to observe the art alone with no witnesses, at 3 am, in the middle of a sleeping city. Make it a fully immersive and memorable experience!<\/p>\n

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