Late Nights and Blue Collar Mornings–David Hoover’s amazing 1-night show

With my laundry barely dry after a week in San Fran, I headed out to see David Hoover’s one-man-one-night show Saturday night at The Sign Depot in Kitchener. I’m sure glad I did. Dave’s got this awesomely fresh creativity, channelling his street art from walls to canvas (and skateboard decks and vinyl LP’s). If you missed it, buy his work on Art Allies.

I *love* non-traditional venues for shows. Feels like the art comes to the people this way.

Must be the right place…

‘cause I find Dave inside.

I think it must have been two months ago that Lisa MacDonald (tireless Sign Depot promoter and blogger) put the word out on this show during a #cinqasept. I was intrigued when I saw Dave’s work on his website and was really happy to see his connection with Art Allies. I’ve got this strong internal commitment and marginally-formed plan to help Jacqui Murphy connect local artists with local collectors to establish a creative rainforest here, teeming with all forms of life. So I figure that photoblogging some of these show openings helps spread the word.

After talking with Dave about his work at Art Allies+The Communitech Hub thing earlier this month, I knew I was coming to Dave’s solo show for sure. If you go see an art show opening, talk to the artist. Yeah, I know it sounds obvious, but… it’s not TV.

Nice flow. For those just catching up: Dave works at The Sign Depot during the day helping make some of the coolest signs in the region, and then by night he’s working on his art. Hats off to The Sign Depot for supporting creative endeavours.

I think this is new: paint on vinyl LP’s. And *nailed* to the wall. Nice.

Oh, wow, dripping vinyl.

That’s some serious cutting. Jigsaw? CNC mill? Laser?

Diverse range of sizes. These are about 10”x10” (I should write this stuff down).

From the I-see-art-everywhere dept.: juxtapose Dave’s work with the writing on the wall.

It’s so cool to see partially-finished pieces, or tools of the work, or tests, or practice. You don’t typically get this in a gallery.

That’s what we like to see: “sold”

This method of floating the work and the lighting worked well. Pipes are hung from wires to the ceiling and then the work hangs on chain. The clamp lights can be positioned accordingly.

This representation of a GRT bus really works. Click through the pic to see a slightly bigger version on flickr for the full effect.

I liked how the dark silhouettes filtered into the space.

Great layering here.

Close-up on the “dripping” vinyl. Sweet.

Some of my favourite art shows have a towmotor in the shadows (yo BOX!)

Medium-sized pieces.

How the heck did I miss taking a pic of big square self-portrait on the right end? You can see it on Art Allies, but only for a short while as I’m pretty sure it sold.

These decks are sick. I can’t imagine how much work went into them. Nobody’s grindin’ on these.

Artist and friends.

Hope I can rent something like this from A-to-Z Rentals because these look super-handy.

Skateboard deck close-up.

It’s impossible to get an in-focus picture of Lisa (left), because she’s always on the move. Hello, Deborah Currie (Dir. of Development, Centre in The Square)!