The weight of dust. The tasteless, lingering sensitivity of the mouth after hot tea. The faint haze of late summer sky. Secretly Living explores a peculiar side of isolation, reflecting on permanence, repetition, and the impact of time. //Nestled anonymously between nondescript buildings in the Downtown Eastside, Afternoon Projects presents Secretly Living, the latest exhibition from Toni Tongyu Zhao. Secretly Living feels a bit like entering the mind of a motivated five-year-old who has snuck into the arts and crafts box at school — the big box with loose sequins rustling about the bottom, a mess of pastel-rainbow yarn tangled about three broken popsicle sticks, and dried (possibly chewed on) pens. Though Toni’s works vary in form, all celebrate colour and texture. A childlike excitement brings vibrancy and curiosity to her pieces. They make you smile like you’re rediscovering an old picture book or lunchbox snack.And yet as I walk around, something unsett
September + October is that smonky mag from CiTR 101.9 FM, and we celebrate issue #420 with luscious features such as Liquidation World, Puddle Popper Collective, KICCC, Amanda Sum and more. Parthuman, part animal, part software, part performer, part disability, partsorcerer, part romantic, and all fury. Yours truly — D.