David Weir
Prospective Show Title
This page is a portfolio of images made by me in collaboration with David Weir, in Vancouver, from spring through autumn, 2024. The proximate cause was his cancer diagnosis in the spring of the year and follows him through a period of waiting, chemo/radiation treatments, and the beginning of the recovery period, still ongoing, from those treatments. I will leave it David to tell his story, below.
For my part, I have included a selection of images where possible, with a desire for curatorial input on choices. My preferences are marked with an asterisk.
Print sizes are highly flexible, so I haven’t specified them; the single shots can readily be printed 24” x 16”, but read well at half that size; the composite pieces need to be fairly large to read the detail, and can be printed quite large. Pieces would be printed using archival giclée/inkjet materials at a print shop in Vancouver (PrintMaker Studio) with wide enough margins to hang them using a magnetic mounting system. This would avoid the need to ship frames.
The page is arranged chronologically with images from each shoot together. I would think it’s most useful to arrange a show that way too, since it represents an unfolding story.
(David’s text in this style)
TIMELINE
04 April Annual checkup with my gp, resulting in a referral to an oncologist
15 April Oncologist appointment and biopsy
18 April Diagnosis
08 May PET Scan
06 June Chemo and radiation begins
19 July Final day of chemo and radiation
October 18 PET Scan
2024 04 24 David Weir, dandelion
1 LET’S DISSOCIATE BY MAKING ART (Dandelions, 2024 04 24)
I received my cancer diagnosis in a phone call from a harried oncologist on a Thursday afternoon late in April. The next day I was at my friend Carlyn’s studio to work on a collaborative project. She was the first person I shared the news with. We had a cry, and a hug, and then she said: “Let’s dissociate by making art.”
2024 05 01 David Weir, glass orb
2 I CAN’T FIND FEAR. (Crystal Ball, 01 May 2024)
The time between diagnosis and the start of treatment was fraught. Inventorying my emotional state as the news sank in, I found frustration, sadness, and a bit of anger. But I couldn’t find fear. The nudity in these photos reflects my resolve to remain fearless through this, and to resist the stigma and shame that I encountered in myself and others.
2024 06 01 David Weir, cut piece (after Yoko Ono’s Cut Piece). I also have these images as a short TL video if that might be useful.
3 CUT PIECE (Self-Administered, 01 June 2024)
Bill suggested we do a take on Yoko Ono’s 1964 Cut Piece. First I had to research the work, and once I had, was enthusiastic.
2024 06 05 Mark Demers cutting David Weir's hair
4 CHOSEN FAMILY (Haircut, 05 June 2024)
At the beginning of chemotherapy and radiation, I asked my friend Mark to trim my hair and beard. For me this was an act of acceptance, of submission to forces greater than myself.
Although I am proud of my independence, I had to find the humility to accept the love and support offered by my chosen family. Bill, Carlyn, Mark, and Rosemary each stepped up without hesitation.
I am eternally grateful.
2024 07 19 David Weir, dark
5 CHEMO FOG (End of Chemo, 19 July 2024)
Between these two shoots I had radiation and chemotherapy treatments five days a week for six weeks. At least the daily visits to the clinic lent my days some structure.
Chemo fog descended on me, making it impossible to focus on … anything.
2024 07 26 David Weir, bed/home 1
6 PAIN & TEDIUM (Bed Shots, 26 July 2024)
The weeks after treatment were far more challenging than treatment itself. I had been warned, but didn’t get it. There was nothing to do but be patient. I watched everything on Netflix - twice.
The day Bill came over to take these photos I was in despair. Pain medications helped somewhat, but an unwelcome side effect was a series of fainting episodes, as my blood pressure plummeted.
I truly felt there was no reason for me to be alive.
2024 08 21 David Weir, bed/home 2
7 WEAK & HUMOROUS (Hot Daddy, 26 July 2024)
As the project progressed, Bill posted images online. A significant proportion of the comments he received focused on my appearance, on how hot and handsome I was.
I found this delightful and horrifying in equal measure.
2024 09 04 David Weir, fractured pieces
8 RESET (Fractured Pieces, 04 September 2024)
I love the energy in these photos. If they had sound, it would be mechanical, the sound of one of those fans opening.
To me these photos are animation stills depicting the process of marshalling and regrouping, becoming myself again.
2024 10 5 David Weir, polychrome
