The evening of March 8 gave us the one night art show The Happening at One Spadina Crescent. Put on by Lisa Steele’s MFA class, “Contemporary Art: Theory and Criticism,” the show was “An evening of engaging contemporary installations, performances, and experiences.” The Happening used the distinct setting of One Spadina Crescent to emphasize the eeriness of its many exhibits.
An effective performance piece set the tone of the evening; three artists travelling throughout the building, “cleansing” it in various ways — one using holy water and salt, one with burning sweetgrass, and another with generic cleaning supplies. Each floor offered a variety of surreal experiences. In one, two people were applying layers of foundation to each other’s faces and in another, viewers were given the opportunity to smash glass with implements of their choice.
By far the most chilling was Michael Vicker’s third-floor installation “Birthday Party: The Clown’s Present” featuring a live clown in a tiny, locked, smoke-filled room, regarding the lone viewer with an unwavering sneer from the other side of a long, festively decorated table. Even for those without coulrophobia, the piece was disturbing. Employing a variety of surreal techniques, The Happening disrupted our sense of security by revealing how often we take it for granted.
