Breaking The Ice
In January 2019, I was hired by The 519 to be a part of an amazing team put together to collect information regarding the gruelling and growing crystal meth epidemic. Some of the main project goals were to interview 100 individuals in Toronto's Church and Wellesley area (an LGBTQ2S+-centric neighbourhood) and find out what social/economical supports are missing in the face of crystal meth use/abuse. We held focus groups, various workshops including a zine workshops where Individuals were encouraged to write "Dear Crystal Meth" letters. Some filled out templates we provided, some created artwork, spoken word, poetry etc. Jonathan Valelly creatively seamed all these wonderful letters together, creating a physical full colour zine which we distributed at our project launch.
My role was to create and audio-visual component which would encapsulate every contribution shared with us. I tried my best to create audio and video tracks around all of these contributions and I hope that I succeeded in capturing every voice and every story shared with us. I particularly made a point to conceal faces to represent the fact that crystal meth and the very subject of it is still very much a taboo zone. The stigma is real and the lives it continues to affect is even realer. Please share this video as much as you can so the message doesn't get lost in the shuffle and in hopes that more support is created for the many who need it. I have attached my artist statement which is printed in the accompanying zine we created, to further convey how important I consider this project and how privileged I am to be a part of it.
As the project now moves into its second stage, I am happy to announce that I am part of a new team that focuses on harm reduction, community outreach and a much needed open dialogue on the rising crystal meth epidemic.
My role was to create and audio-visual component which would encapsulate every contribution shared with us. I tried my best to create audio and video tracks around all of these contributions and I hope that I succeeded in capturing every voice and every story shared with us. I particularly made a point to conceal faces to represent the fact that crystal meth and the very subject of it is still very much a taboo zone. The stigma is real and the lives it continues to affect is even realer. Please share this video as much as you can so the message doesn't get lost in the shuffle and in hopes that more support is created for the many who need it. I have attached my artist statement which is printed in the accompanying zine we created, to further convey how important I consider this project and how privileged I am to be a part of it.
As the project now moves into its second stage, I am happy to announce that I am part of a new team that focuses on harm reduction, community outreach and a much needed open dialogue on the rising crystal meth epidemic.
Artist Statement
I have always been a firm believer that my art is my statement. However, I can’t overstate how being entrusted by The 519 and Breaking The Ice to contribute an artistic component of our research has been and continues to be an incredible honour. I am grateful to have been given the freedom to use Letters to Meth as an artistic platform to showcase all of the data and artwork collected, and in doing so pay respect to a variety of shared experiences by so many individuals. I am, admittedly, apprehensive about sharing my extensive experiences on this particularly dark subject for the first time in my life. But I am left with a heightened understanding of how deeply our communities are suffering because of the lack of supports and resources, compounded by the stigma toward crystal meth that remains unfortunately widespread.
I sincerely hope that anyone who listens and engages with the project can not only find new information about the impact of crystal meth, but be encouraged to join a louder, pressing dialogue about how to respond. Expressing myself musically and artistically has always been a highly personal and therapeutic means to channel my dark experiences and emotions. In doing so, I aim to transform them into something not only vivid and beautiful, but also constructive. I can only hope that I managed to do that with everyone's contributions. I made it my mission to assure that every voice is heard in this project, (sometimes literally). Through my involvement with Breaking The Ice, I have never become more aware of my particular privileges and unique path. This deeper insight is thanks to the brave and fabulous people who contributed. For that I am profoundly grateful.
Breaking The Ice 2.0
In 2021, as the Breaking The Ice project enters in its second phase, there is a stronger focus on community outreach and harm reduction. I was asked to design a logo for the project as well as a new insert for our crystal after-care kit that we hand out to our community members which also includes gum, lip balm, candy, rolling papers to help facilitate the cruel come-down of crystal meth. I wanted to create something that was not only interactive but could actually serve as a tool for "coming down". I researched different folding techniques and in doing so, I realized the art of origami was the answer. Above you will see an instructional video on how to fold the insert.
The folding process can equally serve as a therapeutic tool when coming down from crystal meth. Additionally, when opening the insert, you will find a wealth of information like local resources and tips on safer practices when using crystal. I continue to invest myself in this project in hopes of creating awareness and educational/artistic tools. Most importantly, I hope that myself and my team will create a safer arena for crystal meth users and the community we live in to engage in conversations about the growing crystal meth epidemic.
