Modern 
Laundry

72 pages, risographed by Colour Code Printing.

Modern Laundry is an art publication that I curated and designed for my undergraduate degree in Curatorial Practice and Art Criticism at OCAD University. My research centred itself around the concept of ruin; specifically the facets of late Modernity and capitalism which, in the past century, have justified and maintained accelerated processes of obsolescence and demolition. Modernity has inspired a litany of city planning principles which continuously drive marginalized communities from one enclave to another in the wake of demolitions and revitalization projects, while the logic of late capitalism rests more than ever on the methodologies of planned and perceived obsolescence. These factors have translated the role of the ruin away from a dialectical allegory of historical failure, into a symbol of sustained progress and luxury.

The publication features the work of 25 artists from across Canada and the United States whose practices involve considerations of ruin and detritus in a variety of approaches and mediums, including poetry, painting, sculpture and photography. Modern Laundry also includes a textual and photographic excerpt from Magdalena Milosz’ Don’t Let Fear Take Over, in which she recounts her exploration of residential school ruins in Manitoba.

Artists

Isaac Maier, Dave Ball, Brandon Celi, Qendrim Hoti, Mark Laliberte, Mallory Donen, Andrew Savery-Whiteway, Vera Saltzman, Matthew Volpe, Joy Webster, Aaron Moore, Erich Deleeuw, Justin Gray, Owen Marshall, Katie Nakaska, Jess Baldanza, Magida El-Kassis, Zachary Ouellette, Magdalena Milosz, Blair Swann, Josi Smit, Christy Lundy, Dillon Nusca, Jesse Sarkis, Heidi Berton.

Photography by Erich Deleeuw and Andrew Savery-Whiteway

Using Format