Initially I began thinking about aspects of the city that are hidden, ignored or overlooked. The subway came to mind because we are often unaware that we are walking over it or simply moving with and within it.
Before getting off at a specific stop I contemplated how the unchanging monotony of the subway system can be alleviated by the musicians who play in the different stations. Then I thought about what it would be like to play with my own group on my favourite subway platform and what we would have to do in order not to be ignored by the people rushing on to their final destinations.
Although I chose Museum station, a stop that I remember from my childhood, this piece could take place on any subway platform in Toronto.
About The Artist
Alec Dempster was born in Mexico City in 1971 and moved to Toronto as a child. In 1995 he moved back to Mexico, and settled in Xalapa, Veracruz where he took part in the resurgence of local traditional music. He has created a large body of work on these themes as well as 2 books, a series of 6 CDs of son jarocho field recordings, and two popular loteria games which include over a hundred prints. He has had solo exhibitions in the United States, Canada, Mexico, France and Spain. Alec now lives in Toronto where he performs with son jarocho group Café Con Pan. Their recent cd "Nuevos Caminos a Santiago" is available on iTunes.
