Denise Ing

Snow Days Exhibition

Denise Ing’s February 28^th Snow Day Documentation

February 28 – the last Snow Day though hardly the last day of winter. It occurs to me that I miss biking. I haven’t biked since November, and I am fed up with the indignities of public transit. So, I go where many Torontonians have gone before: to work by bike.

The night of February 27, the weather forecast warns of a slippery morning commute. My mode of transportation is a single speed bike with slick wheels. The fear of personal injury keeps me up until 2am in a state of anxiety.

What does one wear to bike in the winter? A waterproof shell, some technical clothing that will wick away fear sweat, snowboarding gloves and a bright white helmet. Even in the rain, I find myself enjoying the ride to work; the snow has receded and it feels like early spring. The TTC passengers that I glide past look miserable. Why are the streets so empty of other cyclists? The answer can be found in the fin of street detritus that I discover streaked from helmet to tail bone when I arrive at work. As a fellow cyclist tells me belatedly, “A fender is not optional in the winter.”

I had tried to entice others through online social networking to join in on a leisure ride after work, but only my friend, Roger is game. Our bikes become vehicles to a shopping spree of necessity: a rear rack deflector shield for me and a new pair of wet wear boots for Roger.

The flurries that were predicted fail to materialize, yet, I am convinced that I have found a new winter sport, which turns out to be a greatly missed summer hobby.

Bio

Denise Ing is a former resident artist at the Living Arts Centre whose work has been exhibited at Queen’s Park and Harbourfront Centre. Departing from craft practices, her sound installation, The Hyland, was exhibited at Toronto Free Gallery, and her interactive installation piece, 12 Hours of Power, was featured in the 2009 Toronto edition of Nuit Blanche. In January 2011, Denise collaborated with a fellow artist to create a web and gallery based project for Come Up to My Room.

Motivation

I am excited at the prospect of participating in a group exhibition with a focus on the process as well as the end result. The real-time web-based component is an format that I have employed recently and would like to explore further. And the short time from conception to execution will be a challenge that I look forward to.

My recent work has been grand in scale and required collaboration with multiple parties. Snow Days promises the camaraderie of a group collaboration, and the immediacy of technology, while providing the opportunity for intimate work and reflection.