YYZ is pleased to present the work of Chris McNamara and Dermot Wilson, collectively known as machyderm inc.
machyderm PROPERTIES: Putting the REAL in Realty highlights the collision of suburban values with post-capitalist realities in a complex environment of sculptural objects, nostalgic found items and video.
Using the genre of detective films to boil down the hard-boiled, machyderm inc. explores the construction of plot, setting and character. The main narrative component of the installation is a video titled, The Big House, which follows Detective Lily Wagstaff, an ex-realtor, as she questions several suspects during a murder investigation. In the constructed suburb of Machydermia, this video is “broadcast” through the windows of houses. Above this small suburb, hovers a plexiglass canopy with a projected video image of the sky cycling from sunny blue to menacing thunderclouds. Hanging motionlessly over the suburb of Machydermia, the work DOMINO is spelt out in an eight-foot vintage sign.
How does one negotiate the ideals of middle-class suburban living and the realities of a lifestyle on the verge of collapse?
Artist Bios
Christopher Mcnamara
Christopher Mcnamara is the Windsor-based half of machyderm inc. He received his BA and MA at the University of Windsor, and teaches at the Centre for Creative Studies and the Detroit Filmmakers Coalition in Detroit. McNamara divides his time between machyderm inc., teaching in Detroit and contributing to the chaos known as Artcite Inc. in Windsor.
Dermot Wilson
Dermot Wilson lives in Hamilton. He received his MA from the University of Windsor and currently is the administrator at Niagara Artists’ Company.
Machyderm Inc.
Machyderm Inc. have been presenting single screen and installation based video works since 1993. They are currently working on a feature film called Wassailing: A Documentary for Xmas.