Octopus Project in the Red Letter

Lisa Pijuan-Nomura has included the Octopus Project in her February 2008 Red Letter! See the article here

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The OCTOPUS PROJECT seeks to provide an outlet for artists to continue making art by offering a challenge to create. The challenge is issued as a "spark", an idea or image, sent out every eight weeks for interpretation by the artists. The interdisciplinary community of Octopus Project artists creates a shared visual representation of diversity through one theme with many voices.

The Octopus Project was founded by Toronto textile artist Catherine Mellinger and Toronto photographer Melanie Gordon.

In order to see some of the images from the first Octopus Project go to The Octopus Project website.

What is the Octopus Project and how did the idea originate?
Catherine: The Octopus Project is a bi-monthly art series that brings together artists of various disciplines, inspired by a single theme which is sent out as a "spark" (image or idea) every 8 weeks, with a 2 day show running at the end of those 8 weeks. The Octopus Project was something that I believe has been bubbling under the surface for both Melanie and I for quite some time. We both wanted to initiate something that sparked community & a reason to keep making art through all of the rest we need to do to keep ourselves going (financially etc.). For myself, in studying Creativity Coaching and the notions of support/mentoring/taking action, it became apparent to me that in many ways, we ourselves need to make things happen when we feel we are missing a piece to our puzzle, and that in doing so we can extend out that action to a community.

Who are the participants and what can we expect to see at the shows.
Catherine: The participants that have come on board are so diverse it's really wonderful. We have artists from many areas; sculpture, photography, mixed media, illustration, fibre art, collage, craft, painting, writing etc. We hope to also extend this out to performers as we grow as well, having a "live" component to our openings. At the shows, you can expect to see diversity in partnership with visual unity. We think you will see & feel play in the pieces that are shown and hope that it will allow some of our participants the permission to extend beyond their existing style & play a little with the ideas we present in our sparks. What I love most is that we have performers who are participating as visual artists, which for me feels like we are offering a unique element in that someone who may be a songwriter will show a painting, someone who paints may decide to sculpt which are works you may not get to see anywhere else.

What do you hope to achieve with this project?
Catherine: We are seeking to provide an outlet for artists to continue making art by offering a challenge to create (the "sparks). We hope to build an interdisciplinary community of artists that create with each show a shared visual representation of diversity through one theme with many voices. We would like to see the project grow and become a support network as well as arts network that will bring about new ideas, new collaborations. A support system and place where you can discuss whatever comes to mind about your work, show your work, talk about the process behind it etc. With so many amazing artists, we are certain there will be some really incredible exchanges of information, ideas, inspiration, even artwork amongst participants.

What are your muses and inspirations?
Catherine: The community of artists in Toronto is an inspiration. There is so much talent here! And it extends so far beyond Toronto. Our muses behind this project are any artists who create because they know they can't go on if they don't. Those that know they are making meaning for themselves with each new creation, so you see and feel a piece of their soul when you see their work. If it's possible for synchronicity to be a muse, then I would add that one to the list as well. Everything leads to something, just like what has led Melanie & I to be here, having met each other, and now creating this project.

Octopus Project II:
The spark for Octopus Project II will be sent out on January 27.
Exhibition of new work inspired by this spark will be shown on March 22-23.
If you would like to participate in Octopus Project II, please email us at octopusprojecttoronto@gmail.com
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