Truth Be Told Victoria

It is november and the people of this city are freaking out because of a few flakes of snow and some cool weather.  This is still Canada.  I understand that all must come to a screeching halt should any real accumulation take place.  In many ways it feels as the though the city has been deep in snow now for some time.  The hubristic attitude that pops it's head out puzzles me still.
People have told me to stop writing this.  They don't understand why I am doing this.  The things I review are either too negative, not detailed enough or the writing too poor.
They do not understand where I am coming from, or who the hell I think I am.  I will add, many do.
Everything I state here is intended. The writing must remain simple and easy to understand.  Reactive.  Some may say I lack feeling.  The feeling is reflective of you.  I see how this can be difficult to comprehend.  As an artist, a musician or a partaker of some sort, you are privileged in perhaps some how being able to see things with slightly different minds.
As to wether this contribution to this city is sufficient as some beacon or guide to what to do with yourselves.  When it comes to you my little darlings with altered minds, I sincerely doubt it.
As for the rest of you who might think you are contributing something worth while to the artistic culture and make up of this city, I will be watching and listening and calling you on your work as I see it.
As for my experience and ability to judge with accuracy,  I will leave that to you to decide for yourselves.
Know this, I am someone you have most likely met and conversed with.  I am likely a friend or some one who has helped you further your artistic endeavors to some extent.
This is a forum where I am furthering your career further.  Even if my comments are not favorable to you, I assure you, they are helpful to a degree.
We will come to know each other well as time goes by.  Week after week we will converse here and there.
This is a city that lacks a great deal as far as what is available in the format of gallery and venue.
It is very frustrating coming from a city that has it all.  From food to gallery to small stinky hole in the wall pleasure well.  I hope that this city will offer up more as time passes.   The good is sublime and the bad is truly terrible. Pizza is a great example.  Victoria, your pizza is terrible.  Pizza Prima Strada is an exception.  Although they are a dine in exclusive spot.  A wood oven Naples style pizza is the right way at least.

Wednesday I went to check out a small gallery on Fort street. Polychrome.  The work was by J. MacGlaughlin.  She is a local artist with roots in theatre, art and music.  Her work was bland.  Advertisements of the 50's and 60's altered and painted from tampered projection.  The color schemes were dull and  stark with contrast.  The imagery of her work was almost always accompanied by a slogan.  The window piece with it's diamond centered focal point and the 50's boy and girl on each side smiling in yellow and blue were accompanied by the slogan 'Thousands of Thrills in an Amazing World' stenciled above their heads while below the words 'How Would You Feel?' emblazzen the pastel yellow in guache blue.
This is to suggest we feel something.   I felt distaste.  The 'diner' style works would work in a kitsch diner on the lower east side.
The gallery itself isn't much of a gallery.  It felt like it would be better off as a travel agency.  I could see Ms. MacGlaughlins work donning the walls of some uber chique jet setters get away office for sure!

Later that night I dropped into logans briefly to check out Psych Night! with Kristian and Andy.  These guys seemed really stoned. Their music wasn't really psychedelic , more funk and rock.  The  music kept switching from really scratchy sounding barely audible to blaring!  It was a bit hard to take.  I left.

Thursday  I stayed in and ordered in some food from Shanghai Noodle.  The vegetables tasted like they were from a can and the chicken seemed fresh!  Odd.  Good and bad.


Friday I went to Papparazzi night club for their Circus Side show night.  It cost 8$ and was well worth it.  The drinks were cheap and who doesn't like people who eat fire and glisten fancy!  The odd world that was in these walls was a reminder of some of the bars back home.  Good fun!

Saturday night 'Confronting New World Order' at the Ministry of casual living was direct and to the point.
Luke Woodyards installation focuses on the G20 in toronto.  Anarchistic essay.  I felt as an art installation there was a certain profound beauty to the visual aspect of the chaos that ensued their.  It also focuses on the moronic nature of the radical edge.  The Blac Bloc.
This is poetic political art. The issues are deep and cause powerful heated discussion.  As just art, who doesn't like smoke and fire?

After I dropped in at Logans for a drink.  Cover was cheap and the music was lame.  DJ's?!  Reggae DJs and dreadlocked hippie dancers.  At least the mood and theme were
 right in sync.

This coming week I will be in Vancouver to see a show.  I will not be reviewing it as it is not in Victoria.  So there will be no revue for Friday.  Truth be told Victoria, I need a break from you.  Hopefully you can muster up something good this week on the days I will be here.
Until then,
Max xo