Penance For Environmental Destruction: Gareth Bate

[marshmelodyribbit]

CHECK OUT THESE HEADINGS :  MOFFAT CREEK , DOUG CRAIG IN CAMBRIDGE , AND WEST GALT GEM .

THE MAYOR PUSHEED TO HAVE A SEWER PIPE INSIDE A DRINKING WATER SOURCE. HUNDREDS OF TREES , FISH , CREATURES DELIBERATELY MURDERED .......THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS AND ENDANGERED SPECIES ACTS , ETC. IGNORED. THE PROCESS MADE A MOCKERY BECAUSE THEY LIED TO THE PUBLIC. iNSIDE THE SCHOOLCHILDREN LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF WETLANDS WHILE OUTSIDE THE YARE BEING RAAZED.

[ARTSTARSTV]

Garbage.

[meganleighambas]

this is tooooo good

[garethbate]

Thanks!

What did you like about it?

[hfyd2]

wats a penance

[AquarielCharm]

Was that you Gareth doing the crawling? That took a lot of courage to do. But I shudder to think of the germs & bacteria that latched on to you.

[garethbate]

haha. The sidewalk is pretty gross I must admit.

[ozbamagirl]

nice

[Desisbrother]

Wow, this is getting popular. Nearly 3000 views that is great.

[chariebobarie]

When I first watched this I was really concerned on how you managed to cross the street! Was there any particular reason why you chose soho - spadina? or was it because of the popularity of the location?

[garethbate]

Hi, Thanks for commenting. I actually chose that stretch of Queen Street for a few reasons. Between Soho and Spadina there are no cross streets so I could crawl the whole way. The sidewalk is really wide so I wouldnt get walked on, and it is also really commercial and trendy so I thought it would have a funny reaction. And it is also close to the Art Gallery of Ontario and Ontario College of Art & Design - so it is somewhat arty. Doing it in a different neighbourhood would have been different.

[nanvaro]

Great!!!

Who wish build ART COLONY in Armenia?

Please, contact me.

[peebeebaynut]

Pointless.  Just living in this unnatural, high-stress world is penance enough.

[ozbamagirl]

How is making an artwork pointless? I think you are taking the act a bit too literally. Why would you say it is pointless?

[btweenuandme]

I agree. There is nothing "pointless" about this.

[peebeebaynut]

That's because you failed to notice I was commenting on modern life.

[livinginleftfield]

Gareth, congradulations and thank you so very much.

Sincerely

jason collette

[garethbate]

This is just getting strange now.

I'm sensing some flirtation going on. I'd advise you to hook up but you are on different continents I believe...

[ozbamagirl]

You are leaving? I was enjoying our discussion. poo. Oh well. I'll just have to arm myself for the next round tomorrow. Same Bat time, same Bat channel.

[noclimatechange]

I try.

Goodnight Ozbamagirl. I'll have more climate change destroying evidence for you tomorrow.

[uzebdrumz]

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change findings have been publicly endorsed by the national academies of science of all G-8 countries, as well as those of China, India and Brazil. Climate change skeptics or "deniers" are not climate scientists and do not debate the science with the climate scientists directly, for example, by publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals or participating in international conferences on climate science.

[ozbamagirl]

I did appreciate the Australian source. Thanks.

[noclimatechange]

Ozbamagirl. Typical. You people always want "evidence" but then you get it and you deny it. So it is ok to use false photographs to make your point? Shameful. It is even an Australian source, I thought you would appreciate that.

[noclimatechange]

Ozbamagirl, I'm going to thumbs down you everytime you do it to me! You are the one who continues to trash me. Here is a video you should watch. "Another Global Warming Hoax exposed."

[ozbamagirl]

Noclimatechange. I Watched it. Give me a break. One photos scandal does not disprove thousands of separately conducted experiments and research done around the globe. All this proves is that photography lies. That is hardly a new discovery. Sure you can say that it is wrong to use a photo that was taken in summer but if it illustrates a problem then who cares when the photo was taken.

[ozbamagirl]

Oh God Noclimatechange is back. I spoke to soon. You are such a pain. I'm not getting into another round with you. What is not to get about this video? Just make some effort for God's sake. Just try to relate and think about it. Why is this so hard for you! I happen to be one of those "Crazy Environmentalist" spreading this around the blogosphere actually. I posted it on my blog today.

[Desisbrother]

I noticed in your Statistics that your video is now one of the 20 most discussed in your category. And in the top 65 most viewed. Congratulations!

[ozbamagirl]

LOL. I guess my arguement with Noclimatechange helped to make his video "most discussed". At least it was good for something. I'm glad to be done with that guy.

[noclimatechange]

Well Ozbamagirl nice to see you are still trashing me a day later. You are not done with me, because I will continue to debate against your stupid and senseless arguements for climate change. I still don't get this video either! But I notice it has had way more views over the last day. I guess crazy environmentalists are busy spreading this around the "blogosphere".

[uzebdrumz]

Some people have suggested a 2nd performance, so how about strapping a few t-bone steaks on your back (in keeping with your medium) and crawling down Yonge St? You will be chased by dogs and it will be great for the camera and people will definitely notice! Call it Vegan Penance, but when you post it on youtube call it Dog's Revenge, you'll get more hits that way.

[garethbate]

haha. That is a funny idea. "Vegan Penance or Dog's Revenge". There actually was a dog that was going to attack me. It isn't on film, but you can see pictures of it in the stills. Look for the link in the more info on the left...

[garethbate]

Yeah having my head so close to the wheels was pretty scary actually. I was debating if I could get across the street, but decided against it. There was a woman offering me $20 to cross, but I declined! That is when I started going backwards.

[btweenuandme]

The part where your head is right near the car wheels is truly terrifying. You must have been worried no?

[garethbate]

Yeah, I agree. It is really strange that so many people passed by and pretended not to see anything. I genuinely think that some people actually did not see me at all.

There were lots of people who did. Lots of people took photos. I'm probably in lots of Toronto Flickr albums! I'd love to have some of the photos people took on their cell phones. That would be great.

[btweenuandme]

Thanks for answering my questions. I agree that it would change it depending on where you performed it.

The thing I find most moving about this performance is the way so many people take no notice. They seem completely uninterested or pretend not to see anything. There are obviously people who do notice, but the ones who don't are the most interesting. Why do they pretend not to notice something like that? What are they thinking? I find that fascinating.

[garethbate]

That would be really funny. I would love to see response videos. I do have other penance ideas. I wouldn't use the grass again. I think it would change dramatically just by having it take place in a different location. Even within Toronto a different neighbourhood would have a big effect. If I did it in the financial district around Bay street during rush hour that would be interesting.

[btweenuandme]

Do you have any plans for a second version? I think this idea has a lot of potential. It would be great if this video went viral like "Where the Hell is Matt?" and you'd have people all around the world making "Penance" response videos! That would so funny.

[garethbate]

Every blade of grass is individually glued into two rubber floor mats. The floor mats are the kind car repair people use when they are under a car. So I punched thousands of holes and then glued every blade of grass in place. I spent about 8 hours on each piece. There are actually several more pieces than what I used and different kinds of grass. In the video you can see that I also picked wheat.

I am just holding the mat on my back, it isn't attached.

[ozbamagirl]

It is nice to see that someone is more positive about your video than that crazy person Noclimatechange. How did you keep the grass thing on your back? Also how is the grass actually staying up like that?

[garethbate]

You are not driving me crazy at all. I appreciate that you are interested in the piece! It was really painful actually. Especially the part where I go backwards. I eventually had to give up. I was actually wearing knee pads because I anticipated that that would hurt, but the worst was my shoulders. They had huge bruises on them. I also scratched my chin. Being so close to the ground was really gross. It is filthy, worse than you expect. Hotdogs and dirt etc. Just nasty!

[btweenuandme]

Thanks, I hope I'm not driving you crazy with questions!! I just find this performance really compelling. That is really cool that it has been shown in those galleries. What I have not even asked is if it was painful!? It looks really painful and your clothes are totally destroyed at the part where you are going backwards. It must have been really disgusting to crawl with your face so close to the ground.

[yahags]

Artsy-fartsy.

[btweenuandme]

I just read the artist statement. Sorry, I didn't realize you had written all that information on the "more info"! When was this made? Has it been shown in galleries?

[garethbate]

The performance happened in Nov. 2007. But this is a newly edited version of the video that I just completed a month ago. This version has been exhibited in a solo exhibition at Glendon Gallery in Toronto at York University, Gallery 260 at 401 Richmond and currently at Toronto's Gladstone Hotel in a group show.

[garethbate]

I didn't make a big deal of it at the time and didn't contact any media. I don't think it would have been a good idea to film it with TV cameras around. It would have really detracted attention from the act itself. The best points in the video were actually when Saglara filmed me from behind street poles are people didn't see the camera. When people see something strange they automatically look for the camera.

[btweenuandme]

Did you contact any newspapers or tv and radio stations to cover this performance? I didn't notice anything like that. I can imagine this on the evening news!

[garethbate]

It would be funny to see what would happen if I did this in a small town or suburb. I can't imagine it would go down very well in a small town. That area of Toronto is close to the art gallery of Onario and the Ontario College of Art & Design so people have a bit of a "seen it all" quality. The reaction was very Toronto. Especially pretending not to see. I wasn't stopped by cops at all. One drove by to look but didn't stop.

[btweenuandme]

It would be interesting to see how it would be received in a small town or suburban area. You would probably be arrested. I'm actually surprised you were not stopped by the police or something. I think you would be in Chicago. Did the police say anything to you?

[garethbate]

I filmed the country scenes in Whitevale Ontario which is close to Pickering (a bit outside of Toronto).

I chose Queen street in Toronto because it is really commercial and "cool". I also figured I could get away with it down in that area and there would be a large audience. I did it on a Saturday afternoon. It is also a good mix of urban people and suburban people who have come into Toronto to go shopping. It is also close to my studio, so I didn't have to carry the grass very far.

[btweenuandme]

Ok that makes sense. I'm glad you explained that. It does act as a more contemplative section. Where was that filmed? It looks really beautiful there. Also, I don't know Toronto so what is that area like? It looks really commercial in the video. Why did you choose that area?

[garethbate]

I love the guy on the cell phone. He makes the video. I included the scenes in the country because I wanted to have an interlude in the video that was more contemplative so that it was less sensationalistic. All of this started from wanting to build a field installation in my studio and being inspired by walking around in fields. I wanted to show that. While working with the grass it popped into my head to crawl down the street with it on my back, so I just went for it. It was very intuitive.

[btweenuandme]

The guy taking the cell phone photo is the best part of the video! Hilarious. I love his expression. Also the guy who asked "Does he need help, mental help".

Why did you include the scenes in the country? They were very beautiful but I'm not sure they belong in the same video. That would be my critique.

[garethbate]

There were two crew members: Saglara Kitchikova who shot the urban scenes, and Carolyn Dinsmore who shot the still photographs. I asked them not to talk to people. I wanted people to just get what they wanted out of it. I'm sure lots of people had no idea what was going on and thought I was crazy. But from what I heard people saying in the background I know that lots of people understood it too. Some were concerned for me. Some people seemed upset by it. Lots were taking cellphone photos.

[btweenuandme]

Thanks for responding. Awesome.

Did you have someone there explaining to people what this was all about? There seems to be a lot of people who were really interested---and also people who didn't seem to notice LOL!

[garethbate]

Hi btweenuandme

Thanks I'm glad you like the video. I didn't actually have to cross the street. I chose an area of the city with wide sidewalks and no cross streets. When I got to Spadina Ave (a major street in Toronto) I was debating if I could get across the street but I decided against it! One woman kept offering me $20 to cross the street. People did talk to me quite a bit but I didn't talk back. I wanted to stay in the the performance mind set.

[btweenuandme]

wow I love this video. So great. That is amazing.

I have so many questions about this! How did you get across the streets? Did people talk to you? Did you talk back to people?

[Desisbrother]

I thought I'd stop by today to see if you two were still at it!

hahaahahahahaha. So funny. Keep it up i am enjoying this.

[noclimatechange]

The feeling is mutual. Once again, I've read Heat. He writes for the Guardian. It is not even about the science of climate change it is about solving the problem. I don't disagree with everything he is saying I think some of those measures would be a good idea. I'm not denying that we should cut down on pollution. I'm just saying climate change is a hoax. That's all.

[ozbamagirl]

Noclimatechange you are really starting to get on my nerves. My point is that once you looked at this artist's website you started to become a little more open minded, so maybe if you did some research out side of climate change denier websites then you might actually change your mind. Why not read some books about it like "Heat" George Monbiot and articles in science magazines etc.

[noclimatechange]

Ozbamagirl nice that you are still really condiscending. As if I havn't watched an inconvient trush. Give me a break. Look at me I have opinions based on nothing. Actually I've done a lot of research, instead of just believing everything I've been told by the liberal media as American's like to call it.

[ozbamagirl]

Yes noclimatechange it is nice to see that you are becoming a little more open minded. See, when you actually take the time to look at an artist's work and think about what they are trying to do, you start to appreciate it. I think our next task will be to get you to watch an Inconvinent Truth.

[noclimatechange]

I looked at your website. Ok fine I accept that you are not as wacko as I originally said. But still think this performance is nuts. But I do like your paintings. They are beautiful. More my kind of thing than performance art. See, yes I am being more civil now.

[garethbate]

That is an interesting quote. Obviously issues of religion in relation to the environment are key themes in my work. It is still something I'm figuring out and by no means have I resolved where my work fits. I'm interested in philosophical naturalism but also religious music, ritual and symbolism--but with out the beliefs. I'm glad you are being more civil now.

[noclimatechange]

Michael Crichton: Environmentalism is a modern day version of religion. "Theres an initial Eden, a paradise, a state of grace and unity with nature, theres a fall from grace into a state of pollution as a result of eating from the tree of knowledge, and as a result of our actions there is a judgment day coming for us all. We are all energy sinners, doomed to die, unless we seek salvation, which is now called sustainability. Sustainability is salvation in the church of the environment."

[garethbate]

Hi guys

thanks to those who are defending my work against noclimatechange. I appreciate it and I'm glad you like the video and my website and are passionate enough to defend the video.

Noclimatechange. Thanks for your interest. You are certainly very vocal about your dislike for my video! Saying I'm a lunatic is a bit much. I agree that you should look at my other work before saying I'm a lunatic. Check out my website. I think the other work--especially the paintings will shed some light.

[Desisbrother]

Tag Team back again...

His website is very cool. I agree Noclimatechange you should really look a bit more deeply into an artist's work before dismissing everything they do. It is really intersting to see how this performance relates to his other art. It is clearly very connected to the new paintings which are of corn fields.

[ozbamagirl]

ha yes it is a tag team. Perhaps before you completely dismiss this artist you should look at his website. It is listed in the notes on the right. His artwork is really interesting. Especially the paintings called lament and the plastic paintings. I read some of the writing about them and it is really good. You will probably have a better understanding of this.

[noclimatechange]

Ok so I see our conversation isn't over, sorry I had to go to sleep. What cultural effect does this video have? Some ass crawling down the street on his stomach. You environmentalists are so strange. Why don't you get real jobs and stop  looking stupid.

[Desisbrother]

LOL I've been watching this little cat fight. You just don't get it. Its impossible to convince people like you to see the world differently. You've bought into climate change denial bull shit. This is pretty much the only thing that people all around the world agree on but you are more inclinded to believe something that has no evidence

As for your opinions of this video: I really appreciate what he is trying to do here. Its touching and also funny and that is why it is effective.

[noclimatechange]

Great so now it is a tag team effort. No evidence for climate change denial. You are an idiot. Do some research of your own instead of blieving everything Al Gore tells you.

I agreet that the video is funny, really funny. Like put him in a nut house funny.

[ozbamagirl]

noclimatechange: mate you just don't get it at all. So now you are saying that all art is useless because Damien Hirst makes lots of money. That makes a lot of sense. Not everyone is all about the money.

I am not saying art has direct tangible effects on the political situation of the world, but I do think videos like this have cultural impact. It shows that people are engaged and are trying to make artwork that is relevant to contemporary issues. I think this is a really meaningful video.

[noclimatechange]

Ozbamagirl, I don't like that this person thinks that making art actually has an impact on the world or how people think. I think that is bullshit. Art does nothing for the world in reality. It pretend to do something, but what are the tangible results of art? Nothing. Selling sharks in tanks for millions of dollars like damien hirst. That is really what the world needs. How does crawling down the street on your stmoach with grass on your back actually do anything!!!

[ozbamagirl]

I think you are totally off on this video. I think it is moving and like he says in his artist statement it captures a sense of helplessness. I think reviving this catholic idea of penance is really interesting in relation to global warming. If only we could all do our penance and everything would be fine. Dismissing things as "this sucks" is so juvanile. Why don't you try to actually articulate what you don't like about it. You just have opinions but they aren't backed up by anything.

[noclimatechange]

Hi Ozbamagirl. Could you get a lamer name. Actually I do know a thing or two about climate change. I know it is the earth's nature cycle and I challenge anyone to prove me wrong.

How does crawling down the street in Penance actually go anything? If you people care so much about the world how does this acomplish anything other than looking silly? I just don't get it. Like I said performance art sucks. The people in the background are pretty funny, like the guy on the cell phone. But still.

[ozbamagirl]

Yo Noclimatechange!

I think this video is really moving actually. I've watched it several times and shared it with friends. Try to have an open mind and look at things for their artistic merit and symbolic power instead of just dismissing things. Sorry if you are ignorant of performance art. Why don't you try to learn a bit before making statements. You just look stupid.

You'd have to be a complete idiot to reject the science of climate change. That is just so dumb. Again, try to learn.

[noclimatechange]

You are a lunatic! What's wrong with you activist/environmentalist people!!! It blows my mind. WHY would you do this. Its just so insane. You should be arrested and put in a nut house. And you are it calling art too. That is even stupider. I hope a dog pead on you mr "performance artist".

Climate change is totally fake. Freak! and performance art sucks!

[kgbgr8]

Hi Gareth! I am so proud of you! :) You are an amazing and inspirational artist. :) Love Kasia x

[garethbate]

Thanks I'm glad you liked it!

[sparks2303]

Wow I love this. I admire your dedication.

I used you as inspiration for a school project. :)

[garethbate]

Thanks I'm glad you liked it. What did the project involve? Where are you studying?

[sparks2303]

Oh, I'm still in high school, in a special art program called CyberARTS.

The school project is my final major piece before graduation. I'm building lamps, and as I was looking for ideas, I came across your website. I loved your Frost Installation, because of the way you played with light and colour.

[garethbate]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked that piece. All the plastic pieces look better in photographs than in real life. That was one of the things I discovered about them. They need that one special moment when the light is perfect. The cafe was amazing for a few minutes (when I shot the documentation) but other times it was a bit dull.

[sparks2303]

That's what's great about them though. If they looked good all the time, the moment wouldn't be so special...

And when you see it happen, you say to yourself 'Wow, I'm in the right place, at exactly the right moment'.

[ozbamagirl]

I have to say that this is the best thing on youtube in a while. Hopefully people will pass it on. I will. It rocks. I love it.

[jungsterto]

Well, you've gone global, Gareth!

Will the sequel involve absolution?

[garethbate]

Hi Blair, thanks for commenting. Funny that you should mention that. In Prince Edward Island this summer I actually did a lot of filming in the fields. It has some of this idea to it. I have not had a chance to edit any of the video yet.

[ozbamagirl]

You Canadians are rather strange!

Well I cant say I would go that far, but more power to you bloke. That looks mighty painful really. Did you scratch your chin? Your knees and shoulders must have been wrecked. Your poor jacket really took a beating. Good job. I agree with the guy below that this is a future viral video in the making. Ill pass it on to friends.

[garethbate]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. Please pass it on. I did scratch my chin a bit. Mostly I hurt by shoulders. My painting jacket was also pretty wripped up! It was pretty painful actually, especially going backwards. That was not fun. I eventually gave up.

[stro1000]

Yeah pay your dues Gareth. I can't watch it in full a second time; painful.  It's funny when you are just still at the corner, HA HA. Oh crap I'm almost through the second time, it's the making of.....now back to the.... I would split it up in to two videos the Penance and the making of the Penance, but everyone's a critic eh. That's it I've officially scene it twice now, good work Carolyn and Gareth.

[garethbate]

Hey man, thanks for commenting. Saglara was the one who filmed the Urban scenes. Carolyn shot the photos. Yeah I know what you mean about the two parts. A few people have suggested that. I felt that it was important to show something of where the idea came from, like walking around in fields and collecting grass, and then building the field sculpture. I wanted an interlude that was more contemplative so that it was less sensationalistic.

[Desisbrother]

Thanks for responding. Yeah this video is really great. I think it has serious "Viral Video" potential. Finally something that is actually really good.

The woman who filed the urban scenes did an really good job.

What did people say to you?

Did you glue every blade of grass into that thing?

I know that part of Toronto. It very "Cool" the people have a real "seen it all" response!

It would be interesting to see this done in a different city or rural/suburban area. You'd probably be arrested!

[garethbate]

Saglara Kitchikova did the street filming and she did a fabulous job.

People mostly just asked what I was doing. One woman offered me $20 to cross the street. I contemplated trying it, but it was too scary with the car wheels right by my head.

Some people asked if I was ok. If I needed help..."mental help".

I would like to do a sequal to this (not with grass) in a different location, or even in a different neighbourhood. The financial district would have a very different response.

[garethbate]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. To answer your questions...

I crawled for about 2 hours, and then when I reached Spadina Avenue I went backwards.

I went about 2 long blocks. The area I chose is a really busy and commmercial part of Toronto. Queen Street.

I didn't talk to people. I tried to stay in the piece. But people did talk to me.

This was in Nov. 2007. This is a newly edited version of the video. This piece has shown at Glendon Gallery in Toronto and also the Gladstone hotel.

[Desisbrother]

Wow, this is so crazy!! And actually quite moving in some parts. It looks extremely painful. I really like the reactions of the people on the street. I can't believe how indifferent and uninterested some of them are! The guy with the cell phone camera is hilarious. LOL

The scenes in the field are really beautiful.

How long did you crawl for?

How far did you go?

Did you talk to people?

When was this?

Thanks for indluding the artist statement too. I'll check out your website.