Lisa Kiss, Graphic Designer – Toronto
One of Toronto’s leading graphic designers, Lisa Kiss has worked in the cultural sector since the 1990s. Educated at Queen’s University, Seneca College, and the Ontario College of Art, she opened Lisa Kiss Design in 2000 to specialize in art books and identity work for artists, museums, and galleries. She works extensively in dance, theatre, visual, and performance art with many of Canada’s leading artists. Her own art practice involves creating sculptures by cutting into books. She loves uniforms, crashing cymbals, and marching bands. Her performance piece band band clock will be presented at Nuit Blanche in Toronto on October 3
- Marching bands
Kim Adams, Bruegel-Bosch Bus, 1996-ongoing, detail (courtesy: Art Gallery of Hamilton)
There is something so joyously uncomplicated and celebratory about a marching band that proposing it as a project for Toronto’s 20th anniversary of Nuit Blanche was a no brainer. Bringing it into existence hasn’t been quite as simple, but it has been a reminder about the power of community and collaboration, and the satisfaction of taking on a project that kind of scares you.
2. Music
What do Kim Gordon (the iconic artist/former member of Sonic Youth) and Vince Staples (the thirty-three year old rapper from Compton) have in common? They are both killing it…. and on HEAVY rotation on my stereo. Play Me and Cry Baby are two takes on the current state of the US of A. I haven’t heard anything so political (and so sonically enjoyable) in a long time.
3. Magic
Not abracadabra magic, but the magic of experiencing something completely new with someone you love. I travelled to Iceland in August with the captivating KPA to attend Björk’s eclipse-viewing rave and her luscious exhibition at the National Gallery. I don’t know what was more spectacular: the clean air, the waterfall I walked behind, the crystal blue hot spring, the whale tail popping out of the sea, the dive-bombing puffins, or the black sand beach with its sculptural rock formations. But it was ALL pure magic.
4. Mentors
Recently, my teacher, mentor, and friend – Johanne Daoust – died. I have been thinking about the profound effect she had on my career and life. Not only did Johanne nurture my creativity, but she introduced me to interesting people, recommended me for gigs, brought me along to see great works of theatre, dance, and art, and invited me into her home. She always made me feel included and seen. I am forever grateful.
5. Money
I bought a money cat recently so that I could win the cumulative draw I’d been playing for the past four months. I thought I needed to increase my odds. Needless to say, I didn’t win (damn you, Mike from Caledonia!), but it did make me scratch my head and ponder, why? Maybe I just needed an excuse to buy this cute cat.