I’m thrilled to be one of the 24 participating artists in Lake Effect Projects‘ “Eulogy for the Coffin Factory”, an independent project part of the Construction : Destruction zone of Nuit Blanche Toronto 2019. Well, thrilled and saddened as the presentation of this project is the final nail in the coffin of my 2 years time as a studio tenant of this wonderfully wacky building. Join me and 23 other artists on the corner of Bathurst and Niagara from 7pm to 7am on October 5 to bid adieu to the 30+ year history of this cultural landmark.
About the Project:
Eulogy for the Coffin Factory will be a ceremonial exhibition presented during Nuit Blanche 2019 to mourn the passage of #89-101 Niagara Street. Originally built in the 1880s, the building was home to the National Casket Co. from 1908 until 1973. In recent years, it has become known as the ‘Coffin Factory,’ used as studios and live/work spaces, serving as an important space for the creative ecology of downtown. The buildings are slated for redevelopment, and tenants were finally evicted on March 31, 2019, marking the end of an era for the building.
Playing on the building’s casket-factory history, 24 former artist-tenants have been commissioned to adorn 24 coffins produced for the event. These will be displayed in a long row lining the south side of Niagara Street.
NICOLE CROZIER 