Chris Curreri
Neon text installation
THERE'S ALWAYS ME... LET ME BE THERE... TREAT ME NICE...
The charm of Toronto's Baldwin Street -- with its balance of small businesses commingling with private residences -- is its uniquely personal feel effusing a sense of people's lives rather than being overwhelmed by commerce or consuming. Through an installation of sweet messages, in collaboration with the residents of Baldwin Street, artist Chris Curreri captures a sense of the personal while recognizing the commercial aspects of the area. Viewed only from the street, as one walks along Baldwin, passers-by will be treated to a neon love poem glowing from above. All Elvis Presley song titles, the glowing text anonymously announces itself from the second floor windows of Baldwin Street residences. The signs declare a kind of romantic longing for all its viewers, but will remain unreachable, inanimate, and incapable of receiving response.
Curreri's multi-disciplinary work is characterized by an interest in found images and objects, often using flea markets as the source of a vast range of material. The inspiration for Curreri's (LET ME BE YOUR) TEDDY BEAR is a found scrapbook, seemingly created by a young Elvis Presley fan, full of lovingly collaged Elvis images.
Chris Curreri is a nationally exhibited Toronto-based artist who works primarily with film and photography.
In association with the residents and businesses of Baldwin Street.
Image: Found Elvis Collage, circa 1950, artist unknown
Map location 2
South side of Baldwin Street (between McCaul Street and Henry Street)
