Sorry! So sorry! The art of apology energizes his work

Marie Nazar —

Art in Transit launches Sorry, Gary Duehr’s amusing yet powerful series of 20 collaged poems and images on multiple Pattison Onestop digital networks across Canada from January 20 – February 28, 2014.  Sorry is part of Pattison’s ongoing Art in Transit programme and launches the 2014 season, which will see 20 new arts and culture projects on Pattison screens.

The artist surveyed the cultural landscape to identify current obsessions then transformed these into apologies as a way of exorcising the trend to apologize for behavior without making meaningful changes. Filled with comic remorse, these poetic apologies reveal anti-heroes who try to come clean for almost everything including modern art, the millennium, nostalgia, Las Vegas, happiness, politics, and even sleeping.

I’m happy, as an American, to apologize in advance for everything I possibly can. And I’m excited about reaching my broadest audience yet!— Gary Duehr

Pattison’s Art in Transit programme is expanding its reach throughout 2014. Sorry will appear on multiple Pattison Onestop networks including the Toronto TTC subway screens, the new Edmonton Digital Transit Network in 10 key LRT stations, the Digital Office Network in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, and Halifax, as well as the Digital Mall Network in English-language shopping centres, reaching over three million daily commuters, shoppers and city-dwellers across the country.

“I’m excited to launch Art in Transit’s 2014 programme with Sorry, a darkly humorous project for our darkest winter days, and am very pleased about our expanded reach across Canada.” said Sharon Switzer, Arts Programmer and Curator, Pattison Onestop.

Gary Duehr has published seven books of poetry, five chapbooks and was the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry Fellowship in 2001. His work has been featured in museums and galleries including the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, MA; Exit Art, Umbrella Arts, and New York Arts, New York, NY; Gallery Tsubaki, Tokyo, Japan; SKC Gallery, Belgrade, Yugoslavia; and Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Havana, Cuba. Past awards include grants from the LEF Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation. Duehr’s public artworks include a photo installation funded by the Visible Republic program of New England Foundation for the Arts, and a commission from the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority for a permanent photo installation at North Station. Gary Duehr lives in Boston, MA and currently manages the Bromfield Gallery in Boston’s South End. www.garyduehr.com

About Art in Transit – www.artintransit.ca
About Pattison Onestop -. – www.pattisononestop.com