Reason of State
Collaborating for the first time in a joint exhibition, the artists address two crucial issues currently affecting the LGBT community: harassment and HIV. Both artists call for the analysis of these issues to move beyond a moral or religious perspective and become the subject of real political action. Each artist presents a series of works in the Labo space—including videos, photographs, and a performance—that engage in a dialogue on the themes of exchange, living conditions, and politics.
Mikiki is an artist originally from Newfoundland, currently living in Toronto. A visual and performance artist and HIV activist, Mikiki puts into perspective the risks and vulnerability to which the LGBT community is subjected. As part of their exhibition at Le Labo, Mikiki presents a video work titled “Premièrement comme tragédie,” produced specifically for the occasion, in which two protagonists—one Francophone and the other Anglophone—conduct a discussion on safe sex. Suddenly, the roles of the two protagonists are reversed, and a sex scene between Mikiki and their partner begins. This video thus explores notions of exchange, trust, and risk in the face of the threat of HIV. This work will be accompanied by a performance by the artist on the evening of the opening, the content of which will remain a surprise until the very last minute!
Stefan St-Laurent is originally from Moncton but currently lives in Ottawa. His film, video, and photographic works have been exhibited in Canada and abroad. As part of his exhibition at Le Labo, Stefan St-Laurent will present his new series “Bully,” inspired by his own high school experience, which highlights the alarming suicide rates among gay youth. In addition to videos and photographs, this series includes two prototypes: a wrist bandage and a leather jacket that deepens the wearer’s voice. These prototypes refer to the means used by gay people to hide their sexual orientation for fear of violence and humiliation.
These two series of works deliver a poignant portrait of the reality and challenges faced daily by the LGBT community. These works are part of the two artists’ activist journeys and invite public authorities to take action. In the 1960s, Trudeau proclaimed that “the state has no business in the bedrooms of the nation,” yet the issues addressed in this exhibition go beyond the bedroom to affect society as a whole.