MAINSTREETERS: TAKING ADVANTAGE, 1972-1982

Opening this Thursday, January 9th at Satellite Gallery is Mainstreeters: Taking Advantage, an exhibition that shines a light on an influential, yet under-recognized, chapter of Vancouver's art history.

From Satellite Gallery: "The Mainstreeters Kenneth Fletcher, Deborah Fong, Carol Hackett, Marlene MacGregor, Annastacia McDonald, Charles Rea, Jeanette Reinhardt and Paul Wong were an “art gang” who took advantage of the times, a new medium (video), and each other. Emerging from the end-stage hippie era, the gang drew from glam, punk and a thriving gay scene to become an important node in the local art scene. Their activities connect the influential interdisciplinary salon of Vancouver’s Roy Kiyooka in the early 1960s with the collective-oriented social practices that have emerged worldwide in the early years of the 21st century. Like the current “digital natives” generation, the Mainstreeters were the first generation to grow up with video cameras. The resulting documents focus on a decade of their lives, including forays into sex, love, drugs and art."

Beyond tomorrow night's opening reception, associated events include a curators' tour with Allison Collins and Michael Turner on Saturday, January 31 at 2pm at Satellite Gallery; and a Main Street Walking Tour with Paul Wong and Annastacia McDonald on Saturday, February 21 at 2pm (meeting point: Helen’s Grill, 4102 Main Street).

See you there!