When John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged their infamous seven-day Bed-In for Peace in Amsterdam in 1969, world attention was gathered inside their presidential suite at the Hilton. The heat was high; excitement was immense; yet public access restricted to the edges of their bed, setting them apart from the heated media mass assembled around them. Vietnam War, World Peace, discrimination… Lennon and Ono protested and advocated for such global issues in their own secluded way.
With tonights’ Nuit Blanche Ottawa+Gatineau (NBOG)’s Bed-In event at La Petite Mort Gallery, the curators are seeking an engagement of a different nature – one fostered around collectivity, closeness and social exchange. Visitors can cozy up with Megan Smith and Ariane Nazroo, respectively artistic and managerial directors for this year’s event, and engage with them on any topic of interest regarding all things NBOG.
Loaded in meaning and interpretation, the theme chosen to frame the second Nuit Blanche is at once broad, open-minded and challenging. In fact, the flexibility implied in theme of Supernova gives great freedom to the artist, allowing the latter to take part in different ways, both imaginatively and creatively. With the involvement of multidisciplinary artists and foundation of various community projects, NBOG sets out to create a critical dialogue in the community by drawing on concepts of space and networked culture as demonstrated by our capital city.
Extending this year to incorporate the Gatineau region, NBOG focuses primarily on extensive partnership between organizations and businesses. Art & Science Journal is one of these additions. With an enriching writing program set in place, NBOG and A&SJ are reaching for a mutual platform, providing writers with the opportunity to post weekly about their chosen artists, thereby building on the identity of both the artist and A&SJ.
The Bed-In event triggers the start of year two for NBOG, an organization that is recognizing the positive structure in last year’s inaugural event. While keeping with its mandate to build new space for work, Nuit Blanche Ottawa-Gatineau takes strength in acknowledging its growing need to reunite the artistic scene of the capital region.
Join Megan Smith and Ariane Nazroo for tonight’s Nuit Blanche Ottawa+Gatineau Bed-In from 7-10pm at La Petite Mort Gallery (306 Cumberland Street).
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